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

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Compare meaning

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

• ramjet vs. scramjet

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

scramjet

The Pentagon’s latest annual report on the Chinese military said the PLA’s first hypersonic glide vehicle was fielded in 2020 with an advanced scramjet engine that will likely be used in hypersonic cruise missiles.

From Washington Times ● Feb. 22, 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

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