Raytheon has secured a contract from DARPA to develop the Gambit program i.e the air-breathing propulsion system that utilizes a novel rotating detonation engine.
Raytheon, a business under Raytheon Technologies, has secured a contract from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) to develop the Gambit program. This program focuses on the development of an air-breathing propulsion system that utilizes a novel rotating detonation engine. The Gambit program is a pioneering effort aimed at developing an innovative propulsion system. It employs a rotating detonation engine, which offers several advantages over conventional missile propulsion systems. These advantages include increased compactness, higher propulsion efficiency, and the potential for lower costs.
The development of the Gambit engine has significant implications for future weapons systems across multiple branches of the military. The compact and efficient nature of this engine can provide enhanced range and speed compared to current long-range weapons. This capability allows for rapid responses to advanced threats. Under the contract, Raytheon will employ an iterative development approach that involves creating performance models. These models will be informed by real-world data gathered from incremental system tests. This approach accelerates the learning process, leading to more predictable flight test outcomes while saving time and costs.
“This is a revolutionary propulsion system,” said Colin Whelan, president of Advanced Technology at Raytheon. “We’re leveraging existing digital design tools and experience from across the entire RTX business to rapidly prototype this next-generation strike weapon and mature the technology,” he further added.
The Gambit program has future optional phases that will involve the construction of hardware for conducting a flight weight free-jet test. These phases will further validate the technology’s performance and readiness.
Raytheon’s contract with DARPA positions the company as the first to apply rotating detonation engine technology to an actual test system. This achievement underscores Raytheon’s commitment to advancing propulsion systems and supporting the development of next-generation military technologies.
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The development of the Gambit propulsion system represents a significant step forward in the field of air-breathing engines. Its potential to improve the performance and capabilities of future weapons systems is a noteworthy advancement in military technology.
