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Hypersonics

DSTO is playing a central role in revolutionary scramjet technology research that will see a multi-million dollar controlled scramjet experiment take place in Australia in 2005.

Launch of the HyShot rocket at Woomera Range, South Australia

Scramjet technology is a relatively new area of research but has the potential to revolutionise air transport both within and outside the defence sector. Scramjets are air-breathing supersonic combustion ramjet engines. Future defence applications include long-range reconnaissance of potentially global proportions, while civilian applications include low-cost satellite launching and high-speed aircraft. The technology would enable aircraft to fly from Sydney to London in just two hours.

DSTO’s involvement in the research is through the Australian Hypersonics Initiative (AHI), which is based at the University of Queensland. DSTO's scientific contributions to the 2005 Woomera test will include modelling of the combustion processes, non-linear mechanics, guidance and control, and trajectory analysis.

The AHI is represented by DSTO, the University of Queensland, the University of New South Wales at the Australian Defence Force Academy, and the Australian National University, together with the State Governments of South Australia and Queensland. The central international partner in the research is the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency. However, several universities from the United States will also contribute to the project.

In 2005, Australia will host the most important test of scramjet technology conducted anywhere in the world. The test, due to take place at Woomera, South Australia, will involve an airbreathing engine flying at Mach 10, or about 11,000km an hour.

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