Test of World's First Variable Flow Ducted Rocket Ramjet Successful

Aerojet, a GenCorp Inc. Company, announced that its ramjet engine once again met all test objectives in a third straight successful flight test conducted by Orbital Sciences Corporation as part of the U.S. Navy GQM-163A "Coyote" Supersonic Sea-Skimming Target missile program.

Aerojet developed the world's first variable flow ducted rocket ramjet and is the only company currently flight testing high speed missile propulsion for future U.S. military needs. The successful flight was the third in a series intended to validate the operation of the ramjet engine and target vehicle.

Aerojet is responsible for the development and production of the ramjet engine that powers the Coyote missile during the extended high-speed cruise phase. The 108-second flight at Mach 2.5, the equivalent of traveling from Los Angeles to San Diego in under four minutes, included pre-programmed aggressive weaving maneuvers, dives, and climbs that provided valuable engine operating data. Additional flight-testing is planned in 2005 to complete the development program and enter full rate production.

http://www.Aerojet.com and http://www.GenCorp.com