Product
What is a Rotating Detonation Engine?
A Rotating Detonation Engine (RDE) represents a paradigm shift in hypersonic propulsion technology. Unlike conventional ramjets that rely on subsonic combustion, RDEs use supersonic combustion—known as detonation - that propagates continuously around the perimeter of the combustor, releasing energy more rapidly and efficiently.
This approach is fundamentally more efficient because it extracts more useful energy from the same amount of fuel, translating directly into longer range or greater payload capacity. At the same time, the abrupt energy release associated with detonation allows the engine to be significantly smaller for the same performance. Its simple geometry, with no moving parts, means it can potentially be 3D printed as a single component, making it a highly cost-effective solution.
The result is a propulsion system capable of operating efficiently across a wide range of supersonic and hypersonic speeds, from Mach 3 to Mach 6. This makes RDEs ideal for applications requiring sustained high-speed flight, including hypersonic cruise missiles, reconnaissance platforms, and future space access vehicles.
Michelle Lehman, Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Our Product
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The Equilibrium RDE System is our flagship propulsion product, engineered from the ground up to deliver unmatched performance in hypersonic flight. Our system is designed to integrate advanced inlet designs, proprietary detonation chamber geometry, and sophisticated fuel injection systems into a compact, flight-ready package.
Years of computational modelling and experimental testing have enabled us to achieve stable, sustained detonation waves across a broad operating envelope. Our control systems are designed to optimise combustion parameters in real-time, ensuring peak performance regardless of flight conditions.
Our modular architecture is engineered to allow for seamless integration with various airframe configurations. Whether it is a hypersonic cruise vehicle, a high-speed reconnaissance platform, or an advanced weapons system, the Equilibrium RDE can be tailored to meet specific requirements.
Mach 5+ design target · Mach 4 demonstrated
Mach Range
Hydrogen (demonstrated) · Kerosene (in development)
Fuel
TRL 5
TRL
What Makes Our Engine Different?
At the heart of our competitive advantage is a proprietary detonation wave stabilisation technology developed through years of research. While others struggle to maintain consistent detonation across varying flight conditions, our system delivers reliable designed performance target from Mach 5+, with Mach 4 demonstrated.
Our advanced thermal management system enables extended operation times that competitors simply cannot match. Using novel cooling architectures and high-temperature materials, we've solved the durability challenges that have historically limited detonation-based engines.
Perhaps most importantly, our engine is designed for manufacturability and integration from day one. Unlike laboratory demonstrators, the Equilibrium RDE is engineered with production scalability in mind, utilising advanced manufacturing techniques and readily available materials wherever possible.