US prioritizes hypersonic weapons
The AFRL contract covers a flight demonstration as well as the integration of Ursa Major’s Draper engine into a test vehicle.
“Under this contract, Ursa Major serves as the lead integrator for a tactical flight demonstrator that will prove the ability to use a storable liquid rocket system for hypersonic applications,” Dan Jablonsky, Ursa Major CEO, explained in a press statement.
Amid rising global tensions, hypersonic weapons have become a top priority for the world’s leading military powers. These weapons can reach speeds of roughly 6,000 km/h, or Mach 5 – five times the speed of sound. This means they can reach anywhere on Earth in a matter of minutes.
Ursa Major’s Draper engine is designed to produce 4,000 lbs of thrust. However, what really sets it apart is the fact it uses storable, non-cryogenic propellants.