{"id":24460,"date":"2020-08-21T12:34:30","date_gmt":"2020-08-21T12:34:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/defensenews\/uncategorized\/2020\/08\/21\/rolls-royce-backs-hypersonic-power-specialist-reaction-engines-with-new-investment\/"},"modified":"2026-08-07T22:12:52","modified_gmt":"2026-08-07T22:12:52","slug":"rolls-royce-backs-hypersonic-power-specialist-reaction-engines-with-new-investment","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/defensenews\/global\/europe\/2020\/08\/21\/rolls-royce-backs-hypersonic-power-specialist-reaction-engines-with-new-investment\/","title":{"rendered":"Rolls-Royce backs hypersonic-power specialist Reaction Engines with new investment"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

LONDON \u2013 Rolls-Royce has formed a strategic partnership with British hypersonic-power experts Reaction Engines and is backing that up with a new investment in the company.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new partnership is aimed at developing high-speed propulsion systems for defense and civil applications as well as exploring Reaction Engines’ key thermal management technology as part of Rolls-Royce’s own gas turbine engines and hybrid-electric systems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rolls-Royce will invest \u00a320 million ($26 million) over the next two years, building on an initial equity investment made in 2018. Other investors like BAE Systems, Boeing Horizon-X and financial institutions could follow suit, said a Reaction Engines spokesman.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The announcement comes as Rolls-Royce steps up its interest in  supersonic flight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Earlier in August, Virgin Galactic revealed a delta-winged Mach 3 sub-orbital vehicle concept powered by Rolls-Royce.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Earlier this year the British engine builder said it was collaborating with the U.S. company Boom Aerospace on propulsion options for a Mach 2.2 airliner called Overture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe have been working closely with Reaction Engines for the past two years, including exploring the potential of high-Mach systems for defense applications, and I am delighted that we are able to strengthen that relationship,\u201d said Mark Thompson, director of global strategy and business development at Rolls-Royce.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cReaction Engines\u2019 thermal-management skills, added to our suite of existing technologies and capabilities, will further assist us as we explore opportunities in supersonic and hypersonic aviation,\u201d Thompson added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The two companies have also been involved with BAE and the UK Ministry of Defence in the first phase of a contract related to high-Mach advanced propulsion systems which could eventually find their way on to the British Tempest sixth-generation combat aircraft development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Aerospace and defense consultant Howard Wheeldon, of Wheeldon Strategic Advisory, said the tie-up demonstrated the determination of both companies to be at the forefront of high-speed engine development going forward.<\/p>\n\n\n\t