Hydrogen-powered hypersonic jet, set for initial takeoff in Europe, strives to achieve speeds of Mach 5
Europe's groundbreaking Invictus project, led by UK-based Frazer-Nash consultants, is poised to revolutionise the aviation industry. This ambitious initiative, backed by the European Space Agency (ESA), aims to develop a reusable hypersonic test platform capable of flying at Mach 5, five times the speed of sound.
The project's key partners include US aircraft maker Spirit AeroSystems and Britain’s Cranfield University. Invictus's technology is built upon sustainable hydrogen propulsion, a significant departure from fossil fuels, and advanced aerodynamic designs to minimise environmental impact.
At the heart of the Invictus propulsion system is the precooler technology developed by Reaction Engines Ltd (REL). This technology, which can rapidly chill superheated air, is integral to the project's success. Although REL has recently declared bankruptcy, the technology is being revived through the Invictus program.
The primary goal of Invictus is to build and fly a Mach 5-capable aircraft by early 2031, focusing on horizontal takeoff capabilities and demonstrating the suitability of hydrogen-fueled precooled air-breathing propulsion systems for hypersonic flight. The Invictus vehicle is designed to be upgradable, allowing for the exchange of materials, software, and propulsion systems between flight test campaigns.
The Invictus project aligns with Europe's climate goals by leveraging hydrogen, offering a cleaner alternative for high-speed aviation. Additionally, the project positions Europe to compete with major aerospace players like the U.S. and China in the field of hypersonic flight.
The ESA has identified the extreme heat on the outer surface of the craft and the air entering its engines due to shock heating and surface friction caused by high speeds as the main challenges for a hypersonic vehicle. The Invictus program aims to design a hypersonic vehicle that can endure these tough parameters, paving the way for safe and sustainable hypersonic flight.
The Invictus project is funded through ESA's General Support Technology Program (GSTP) and Technology Development Element (TDE). This initiative is a significant step towards making hypersonic passenger flights a reality, potentially redefining air travel by slashing travel times significantly.
- The Invictus project, a European initiative led by Frazer-Nash consultants, is fostering innovation by collaborating with US aircraft maker Spirit AeroSystems and Britain’s Cranfield University to revolutionize the aviation industry, focusing on sustainable hydrogen propulsion and advanced aerodynamic designs.
- At the core of Invictus's propulsion system lies the precooler technology developed by Reaction Engines Ltd (REL), which is crucial for the project's success, despite REL recently declaring bankruptcy.
- The Invictus project is funded by ESA's General Support Technology Program (GSTP) and Technology Development Element (TDE), with a goal to build and fly a Mach 5-capable aircraft by early 2031, addressing the extreme heat challenges on the craft and the air entering its engines.
- By developing a reusable hypersonic test platform, the Invictus project aims to compete with major aerospace players like the US and China, potentially redefining air travel by slashing travel times significantly and aligning with Europe's climate goals by offering a cleaner alternative for high-speed aviation.
