Unitized Monolithic Rotating Detonation Engine

A Rotating Detonation Engine (RDE) generates thrust better than traditional turbines because there are no moving parts. It is more efficient and more powerful but only lab scale experiments have been done. Hypersonic vehicle propulsion and gas power generation applications must mature RDE design, performance, and manufacturing with rapid prototype and bench flow test development cycles; followed by prototypes for flight test and transition to a program of record. Big Metal Additive proposes to evaluate RDE CAD design to demonstrate feasibility analytically and virtually for production of unitized monolithic RDE prototypes using the most advanced hybrid metal additive manufacturing capability in the world.