scramjet

American  

[skram-jet] / ˈskræmˌdʒɛt /

noun

Aeronautics.

1. a ramjet engine in which the flow through the combustor itself is supersonic.

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scramjet British  

/ ˈskræmˌdʒɛt /

noun

1. 1. a type of ramjet in which the forward motion of the craft forces oxygen to mix with fuel (usually hydrogen) at supersonic speeds within a duct in the engine

   2. an aircraft powered by such an engine

   3. ( as modifier )

      scramjet technology

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Etymology

Origin of scramjet

1965–70; s(upersonic) c(ombustion) ramjet

Compare meaning

How does scramjet compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• ramjet vs. scramjet

Example Sentences

It is being developed by Lockheed Martin and is powered by a scramjet engine designed for high-speed maneuvering flight.

From Washington Times • Feb. 1, 2023

It took the United States 46 years to realize its first working scramjet: NASA’s $230 million X-43a, an uncrewed vehicle that flew in 2004.

From Science Magazine • Jan. 8, 2020

The Air Force awarded Boeing and Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne a contract to develop the hypersonic X-51A WaveRider scramjet in 2004.

From Salon • Oct. 5, 2019

NASA’s X-43A program in the 2000s proved that a scramjet engine could work in flight, though it was tested on a small, experimental aircraft.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 23, 2018

The scramjet concept has been around since the 1950s, but sustained flight testing has proven difficult.

From Slate • Apr. 29, 2016