noun
- a type of jet engine that uses supersonic combustion of fuel in a fast-moving airstream
Usage: aerospace engineering
Examples
- The scramjet engine requires the aircraft to reach hypersonic speeds before it can operate effectively.
- NASA tested a scramjet-powered vehicle that reached speeds of over Mach 5.
- Unlike traditional jet engines, a scramjet has no moving parts and relies on the vehicle’s high speed.
- The experimental scramjet flew for only a few seconds but demonstrated the technology’s potential.
- Engineers are developing scramjet technology for future hypersonic aircraft and spacecraft.
- The scramjet must be accelerated to supersonic speed by another propulsion system before ignition.