Could we soon fly London to Sydney in FOUR HOURS? BAE invests in 4,000mph hybrid rocket jet engine firm

  • Reaction Engines developing a turbine with jet and rocket technologies
  • Flights from London to New York could take less than two hours 
  • The revolutionary technology could also be used to send satellites into space at fraction of the current cost

By AMANDA WILLIAMS FOR MAILONLINE

Published: | Updated:

BAE Systems has invested in a British firm developing an engine capable of flying passengers from London to Sydney in four hours.

Oxfordshire-based Reaction Engines has been developing a turbine that combines both jet and rocket technologies.

The revolutionary technology could allow aircraft to take off from a runway and accelerate to five times the speed of sound, before switching to a rocket mode, propelling it into orbit.

BAE has announced today that it will take a 20 per cent stake in privately-owned Reaction for £20million.

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Streamlined: Investment for the future: BAE Systems is investing in a British firm developing an engine capable of flying passengers from London to Sydney in four hours

Streamlined: Investment for the future: BAE Systems is investing in a British firm developing an engine capable of flying passengers from London to Sydney in four hours

The revolutionary design could also be used to send satellites into space at a fraction of the current cost. 

At the moment, rockets have to carry liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen to power them and the cost of carrying this heavy fuel is expensive.

The new engine creates its own liquid oxygen by cooling air entering the engine from 1,000°C to minus 150°C in a hundredth of a second – six times faster than the blink of an eye – without creating ice blockages. 

This allows the engine to run safely at much higher power than is currently possible, without the risk that it will overheat and break apart.

Blast-off: Computer generated image of ground-based SABRE test engine. BAE Systems and Oxfordshire-based Reaction Engines has been developing a turbine that combines both jet and rocket technologies

Blast-off: Computer generated image of ground-based SABRE test engine. BAE Systems and Oxfordshire-based Reaction Engines has been developing a turbine that combines both jet and rocket technologies

The SABRE engine has a sophisticated thermodynamic cycle with heat transfer between the fluid streams

The SABRE engine has a sophisticated thermodynamic cycle with heat transfer between the fluid streams

The design – known as an air-breathing rocket engine and named Sabre – could power a new generation of Mach 5 passenger jets, called the Lapcat, dramatically cutting flying times.

Mach 5 is about two and half times faster than the top speed achieved by Concorde and could be the next big leap forward in powered flight.

While normal long-haul passenger jets cruise at around 35,000ft, the Lapcat could fly as high as 92,000ft at speeds of up to 4,000mph. 

Reaction Engine's Sabre design uses a system of pipes, filled with helium.

FUTURE OF FLIGHT? HOW THE SABRE JET ENGINE WORKS

The Sabre engine works by burning atmospheric air in combustion chambers. 

It then uses the heat to turbo-charge the engine.

At the moment, rockets have to carry liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen to power them and the cost of carrying this heavy fuel is expensive. 

The new engine creates its own liquid oxygen by cooling air entering the engine from 1,000°C to minus 150°C in a hundredth of a second – six times faster than the blink of an eye – without creating ice blockages.

This new class of aerospace engine is designed to enable aircraft to operate from standstill on the runway to speeds of over five times the speed of sound in the atmosphere. 

It can then transition to a rocket mode of operation, allowing spaceflight at speeds up to orbital velocity, equivalent to 25 times the speed of sound.

The air passes through these pipes and the helium helps remove any heat and the oxygen is carried to the engine.

Once in space, the engine is capable of switching into rocket mode.

This means the craft can travel in orbit for around 36 hours and used to launch satellites, for example. 

Nigel Whitehead, a BAE managing director, said: 'Our partnership with Reaction Engines is part of our sustained commitment to investing in and developing prospective emerging technologies.'

Mark Thomas, Reaction's managing director, described the development of the engine is the 'Holy Grail' of space access.

He said: 'The general public many feel removed from the notion of space, but much of our lives are reliant on the use of satellites in space. 

'Because of its reusability, it dramatically reduces the cost of launching a satellite to about one tenth of the current $100 million.

'You don't buy a new car, and then when it runs of of fuel throw it away. That is what we are aiming to do with spacecraft.'

BAE will be developing an aircraft fitted with the new engine. 

The team plans to produce a demonstration model by the end of the decade, although designs for passenger aircraft are still at least 20 years away.  

The UK Government is expected to confirm a grant of £60million for Reaction Engines for Sabre's development towards a test engine and to investigate how it could be used to transport satellites and people into space.

SABRE (Synergetic Air-Breathing Rocket Engine) is an advanced combined cycle rocket engine with the potential to revolutionise hypersonic flight and the economics of space access

SABRE (Synergetic Air-Breathing Rocket Engine) is an advanced combined cycle rocket engine with the potential to revolutionise hypersonic flight and the economics of space access

Reaction Engines claims Sabre can be used to help accelerate existing aircraft up to five times the speed of sound and plans to use the technology on a unique 3,500mph 'spaceplane' called Skylon

Reaction Engines claims Sabre can be used to help accelerate existing aircraft up to five times the speed of sound and plans to use the technology on a unique 3,500mph 'spaceplane' called Skylon

REMOTE-CONTROLLED DRONES THAT CAN REACH A TOP SPEED OF 44MPH COULD HELP THE ROYAL NAVY CARRY OUT COVERT OPERATIONS

A new generation of naval boat 'drones' are being developed by British scientists.

BAE Systems has revealed a modified craft that will ensure crews can carry out vital tasks such as high-speed observations and remote surveillance while keeping sailors safe.

The boat, which is capable of operating on its own for up to 12 hours on either a pre-planned route or via remote control, can reach impressive speeds of up to 44mph (38 knots).

Empty: BAE Systems has been working closely with ASV to integrate the technology and prove the concept through the demonstrator. The next stage in its development is to create the sensor suite before ensuring a seamless integration with the combat management system on the parent ship

Empty: BAE Systems has been working closely with ASV to integrate the technology and prove the concept through the demonstrator. The next stage in its development is to create the sensor suite before ensuring a seamless integration with the combat management system on the parent ship

The technology, which is designed to be fitted to Rigid Inflatable Boats (RIBs) and will have a complex array of sensors - including a navigation radar, 360 degree panoramic infrared camera and laser range finder  - will offer operators a detailed picture of its surroundings within a significant range of the vessel.

Les Gregory, Product and Training Services Director at BAE Systems, said: 'This technology delivers an extremely robust and fast-moving unmanned boat that is able to perform a number of surveillance and reconnaissance roles, even when operating at high speed or in choppy water.

'BAE Systems has a wealth of experience in the development and integration of unmanned systems.

'The successful demonstration highlights the enhanced capability this technology offers.

'While other programmes are primarily designed for larger, slower boats to tackle mine counter-measure scenarios, this system provides an extremely manoeuvrable multi-role vessel.'

The unmanned system and software algorithms controlling the boat were provided by Portchester-based unmanned and autonomous specialist, ASV (Autonomous Surface Vehicles).

BAE Systems has been working closely with ASV to integrate the technology and prove the concept through the demonstrator.

The next stage in its development is to create the sensor suite before ensuring a seamless integration with the combat management system on the parent ship.

Dan Hook, Managing Director for ASV said: 'The algorithms we're developing with BAE Systems allow the boat to perform complex missions and navigate through waters avoiding collisions. 

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