Supersonic Ramjet Engine – Tezz

Why in News?

Recently, Hyprix has launched India’s first private supersonic ramjet engine, Tezz. This development is considered a significant step toward enhancing self-reliance in defense technology and reducing dependence on foreign defense technologies.

Supersonic Ramjet Engine – ‘Tezz’

• ‘Tezz’ is India’s first private supersonic ramjet engine, developed by Bengaluru-based Hyprix Aviation.
• Hyprix Aviation is the first private Indian company to develop a liquid-fueled supersonic ramjet engine.
• This engine is capable of operating at speeds between Mach 2 and Mach 4 (2 to 4 times the speed of sound).
• The successful testing of ‘Tezz’ was conducted in January 2025 at the National Centre for Combustion Research and Development (NCCRD) at IIT Madras.
• Compared to conventional rocket engines, this engine can operate over longer distances with lower fuel consumption.

What is a Supersonic Ramjet Engine?

A supersonic ramjet engine (Scramjet – Supersonic Combusting Ramjet) is an advanced air-breathing jet engine designed to operate at speeds several times the speed of sound (supersonic and hypersonic speeds).

• • It differs from conventional turbojet or ramjet engines because its combustion process occurs at supersonic speeds, making it ideal for high-speed aircraft, missiles, and space missions.
  • It is also known as a Scramjet (Supersonic Combusting Ramjet).
  • This engine does not require rotating fans or compressors, instead, it compresses incoming air due to its high velocity and burns fuel to generate thrust.
  • It is used in high-speed missile systems that need to reach targets quickly.
  • Such engines represent a significant step toward future hypersonic passenger aircraft and space exploration.
• Basic Principle: A supersonic ramjet engine, or scramjet, operates on the principle that the airflow within the engine remains entirely supersonic (above Mach 1), enabling efficient operation at extreme speeds.

Components of a Supersonic Ramjet Engine

• The key components of a supersonic ramjet engine include:
• Air Intake – Captures and directs incoming air.
• Combustor – Where fuel is mixed with compressed air and ignited.
• Exhaust Nozzle – Expels hot gases to generate thrust.
• Compressor – Uses the aircraft’s high speed for air compression (without mechanical parts).
• Turbine – Assists in energy extraction (if present in advanced designs).

Working Principle of Supersonic Ramjet Engine

• Air Intake System: This is the first stage of the engine, where high-speed incoming air is captured. Due to the supersonic velocity, the air gets naturally compressed. This section regulates airflow and helps compress it to high pressure and temperature for efficient combustion.
• Compression System: Unlike traditional jet engines that use turbines and compressors for air compression, scramjet engines rely on the aircraft’s high speed for natural compression. This process increases the temperature and density of the air, making it ready for fuel combustion.
• Combustion Chamber: In this section, compressed air is mixed with fuel (mainly hydrogen) and ignited while maintaining supersonic airflow. One of the biggest challenges of a scramjet engine is controlling combustion at supersonic speeds. The combustion generates extremely hot and high-pressure gases, which propel the engine forward.
• Nozzle: The high-pressure gases produced in the combustion chamber are expelled at extreme velocity through the nozzle. The nozzle is designed to further accelerate the exhaust gases, generating the required thrust to propel the aircraft.
• Thermal Shielding: Since the engine operates at extremely high speeds and temperatures, it is built with heat-resistant materials that can withstand intense frictional heat at hypersonic velocities.

Key Features of Supersonic Ramjet Engine

• Extremely High Speed: It can achieve speeds ranging from Mach 12 to Mach 24, making it significantly faster than traditional turbojet engines.
• Higher Efficiency: It utilizes atmospheric oxygen for fuel combustion, eliminating the need for additional oxygen tanks.
• No Moving Parts: Unlike turbojets, scramjets do not have turbines or fans, making their design lighter, simpler, and ideal for high-speed applications.
• Advanced Fuel Usage: Hydrogen fuel provides higher energy output than conventional jet fuels, making scramjets ideal for future hypersonic technology.
• Advanced Materials: Scramjets use carbon-carbon composites, titanium, and other advanced alloys for thermal shielding and durability.

Advantages and Limitations of Scramjet Engine

• Advantages
  • Scramjet engines can operate at speeds between Mach 12 and Mach 24, making them significantly faster than traditional turbojet and ramjet engines. This makes them ideal for hypersonic aircraft, missiles, and space vehicles.
  • Since scramjet engines utilize atmospheric oxygen, they require less onboard fuel, making them more fuel-efficient. Lower fuel consumption enhances their utility for long-duration missions.
  • Due to the absence of moving parts, scramjets are lighter and more suitable for space missions and high-speed military aircraft. They are particularly useful for hypersonic cruise missiles and advanced fighter jets.
  • Scramjets use liquid hydrogen, which produces lower carbon emissions compared to traditional rocket engines. Future advancements could integrate green fuel technologies for more sustainable applications.
• Limitations
  • Scramjet engines cannot operate at zero or low speeds. They need to first accelerate to at least Mach 5 to function effectively.
  • Since the air entering the engine remains at supersonic speeds, managing stable combustion is a major challenge.
  • At hypersonic speeds, scramjet engines generate immense heat, which can lead to thermal damage to the aircraft and its components.
  • Scramjet engines require specialized materials and advanced manufacturing techniques, making their development and production highly expensive.

Differences Between Ramjet and Scramjet Engines

• Combustion Process
  • Ramjet Engine: Uses subsonic combustion, meaning the incoming air is slowed down before fuel combustion.
  • Scramjet Engine: Uses supersonic combustion, meaning air remains at supersonic speeds throughout the process, making scramjets more efficient at higher speeds.
• Performance Capability
  • Ramjet Engines: Operate efficiently between Mach 1 to Mach 6.
  • Scramjet Engines: Function at hypersonic speeds, ranging from Mach 12 to Mach 24.
• Fuel Consumption
  • Ramjet Engines: Are fuel-efficient between Mach 2 to Mach 5, but lose efficiency at higher speeds.
  • Scramjet Engines: Provide better fuel efficiency and higher specific impulse at higher speeds since they use atmospheric oxygen instead of carrying heavy oxidizers.
• Structural Design
  • Ramjet Engines: Use a diffuser to slow down the airflow before combustion.
  • Scramjet Engines: Do not use a diffuser; instead, they compress and burn air while maintaining supersonic flow.
• Applications
  • Ramjet Engines: Used in supersonic cruise missiles and fighter aircraft.
  • Scramjet Engines: Utilized in hypersonic aircraft, spaceplanes, and next-generation hypersonic missiles.

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