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Scramjets

Overview

With its long history in the development of hypersonic engines, L3Harris is considered to be the leader in fuel-cooled hydrocarbon technology. We are currently developing a wide range of hypersonic propulsion system technologies applicable to aircraft and missiles, including high speed weapons, hypersonic cruise vehicles with rapid global reach for reconnaissance and strike missions, and concepts that will provide enhanced access to space.

On May 26, 2010, the X-51A WaveRider hypersonic vehicle, powered by L3Harris' scramjet engine, achieved aviation history by making the longest-ever supersonic combustion ramjet-powered flight.

L3Harris is developing propulsion solutions for hypersonic boosters that have to operate in all flight regimes. These include captive carry air launched, ground launched and sub-surface launch. Each regime has its own unique operating requirements and L3Harris is providing solutions that perform in all of them.

Key Features

L3Harris is a leader in Scramjet Technology. Scramjet propulsion systems include:

  • Dual Combustion Ramjet (DCR)
Dual Combustion Ramjet (DCR)
  • Core-Burning Dual Mode Ramjet
Core-Burning Dual Mode Ramjet

Dual Combustion Ramjet (DCR)

Our Dual Combustion Ramjet (DCR) Engine Cycle has mature propulsion performance and structural durability.

Dual Mode Ramjet (DMRJ AKA Scramjet)

Our Dual Mode Ramjet (DMRJ, aka "Scramjet") Engine Technology offers the following features:

  • Lighter Weight
  • Reduced Heat Load
  • Better Operability and higher Specific Thrust

A Dual Mode Ramjet is a Propulsion System which, dependent on the Flight Mach Number, operates in two Modes.

  • Mode 1: As a Ramjet With High Mach but Sub-sonic Combustion; the “Throat” is provided through Thermal Choking. An “Isolater” is required for lower Mach operation to provide a Combustor Entrance Pressure higher than the Combustion Pressure.
  • Mode 2: As a Scramjet With Supersonic Combustion.

Primary challenges are Fuel Conditioning, Vaporization, Mixing, and Combustion and Thermal Management.

DMRJs are suitable for Long Range Missiles and Reusable HCVs.

Latest News

L3Harris executives with the Arkansas governor break ground

Press release | 11. 18. 2025

L3Harris Breaks Ground on Arkansas Advanced Propulsion Facilities

Aerojet Rocketdyne President Ken Bedingfield and Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders joined state and local officials to celebrate the groundbreaking of L3Harris' Arkansas Advanced Propulsion Facilities to increase solid rocket motor production at the company's Camden site.

L3Harris executives with the Arkansas governor break ground

Press release | 11. 18. 2025

L3Harris Breaks Ground on Arkansas Advanced Propulsion Facilities

A Medium Range Ballistic Missile with a Hypersonic Target Vehicle

Editorial | 10. 06. 2025

L3Harris Delivers Operational Realism for Missile Defense

A solid rocket motor test fires at a facility

Editorial | 09. 18. 2025

L3Harris Scales Up Rocket Motor Testing at Camden Site

Soldier fires a Javelin missile

Press release | 09. 15. 2025

L3Harris Receives Multi-Year Javelin Solid Rocket Motor Contract

VAMPIRE live fire demonstration

Editorial | 08. 29. 2025

L3Harris Launches Counter-Unmanned Systems Initiative

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