US to trial 4,000-pound thrust engine that roars 5 times the speed of sound
The Draper engine could form part of the US’ in-development Golden Dome.
The US Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) has awarded rocket engine manufacturer Ursa Major a $28.5 million contract.
The agreement will see Ursa Major perform a flight demonstration of its Draper engine, which could eventually be utilized in the Trump Administration’s Golden Dome missile defense system.
The Draper engine is an easily storable propulsion system designed for hypersonic missile applications. Its quick-launch capabilities make it ideal for missile defense.
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.