Reaction Engines and Rolls-Royce partner on high-speed aircraft propulsion

Reaction Engines and Rolls-Royce announced a new strategic partnership agreement related to high-speed aircraft propulsion, it was announced on 21 August.

An artist's impression of the SABRE hypersonic powerplant being developed by Reaction Engines, which has announced a partnership with Rolls-Royce in the domain of high-speed aircraft propulsion. The RAF is exploring the possible application of such technologies to its existing and future fighter fleets as part of a move to hypersonic technology. (BAE Systems)

The agreement covers the development of high-speed aircraft propulsion systems, as well as exploring applications for Reaction Engines’ thermal management technology within civil and defence aerospace gas turbine engines and hybrid-electric systems.

“We have been working closely with Reaction Engines for the past two years, including exploring the potential of high-Mach systems for defence applications, and I am delighted that we are able to strengthen that relationship,” Mark Thompson, Director of Global Strategy and Business Development at Rolls-Royce was quoted as saying. “This partnership follows our recent announcements with Boom Supersonic and Virgin Galactic.”

“Reaction Engines’ thermal management skills, added to our suite of existing technologies and capabilities, will further assist us as we explore opportunities in supersonic and hypersonic aviation,” Thompson added. “Building on our many decades of innovation, we will also explore the use of Reaction Engines’ technology within our aerospace gas turbines and its potential application in future hybrid-electric propulsion systems, as we look to make flying ever more efficient and sustainable.”