Continuous Detonation Rocket and Air Breathing Engines

We propose here a systematic sequence of advancements which can lead to the efficient and reliable operation of continuous detonation engines. The advancements sought will pertain to fuel injection, initiation and sustenance of detonation waves and the geometrical design of detonation channels and nozzles. A scalability study will be performed to assess the feasibility of the detonation engine at larger thrust levels and design alternatives needed at higher thrust levels will be explored. Phase-I research will rely upon analytical and computational models, and a test program is planned at the University of Texas at Arlington (UTA) for a potential second phase of this project. Ample prior experience on all these fronts is available with the proposing team of HyPerComp and UTA.