DARPA partners with Aerojet Rocketdyne to develop propulsion system for subsonic, supersonic, hypersonic aircraft

SACRAMENTO, Calif. Officials at Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) and Aerojet Rocketdyne Inc., a subsidiary of Aerojet Rocketdyne Holdings Inc. (NYSE:AJRD), have entered into an agreement to develop and test an innovative propulsion system under the DARPA Advanced Full Range Engine (AFRE) program.

The primary goal of the AFRE program is to develop and demonstrate a reusable hydrocarbon propulsion system that can seamlessly operate reliably and affordably over the full range of speeds between takeoff and hypersonic cruise to enable responsive hypersonic aircraft for a variety of military missions.

"Through the AFRE program, we aim to mature the design and component technologies and bring them together to conduct a full system-level Turbine Based Combined Cycle (TBCC) ground test demonstration," says Aerojet Rocketdyne CEO and President Eileen Drake. "Developing propulsion technologies capable of operating at subsonic, supersonic, and hypersonic speeds would enable us to build future generations of high-speed military aircraft to ensure air dominance."

Aerojet Rocketdyne provides propulsion and energetics to the space, missile defense, and strategic systems, tactical systems, and armaments areas, in support of domestic and international markets.

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