A REVIEW ON HYPERSONIC AIRBREATHING PROPULSION SYSTEM

A brief introduction of the hypersonic airbreathing propulsion system is first given, followed by a de- scriptions of working principles and composition of typical hypersonic airbreathing engines, including scramjet, detonation engine and combined cycle engines. In the third part, the key difficulties encountered in developing these engines are presented together with relevant key technologies, such as concept design, inlet, combustor, nozzle, heat protection, light structure and fuel fedding/controlling. The main projects of hypersonic airbreathing propulsion system and the advancement achieved are reviewed in the fourth part, as well as lesson learned and developing trends. The fifth part is focused on the combustion process and the mechanisms in these engines, where a survey on related research works is given.