Hypersonic Program Faces Uncertainty After Reaction Engines Folds

Reaction Engines Shuts Down, Impacting Aerospace Innovation

A significant player in aerospace innovation has shut its doors. Reaction Engines, which has been developing hypersonic engine technology since 1989, has entered administration, creating a significant impact on Britain’s hypersonic weapons program and others.

Alan Bond founded the company 35 years ago; he was the lead engineer on the British Interplanetary Society’s Project Daedalus and designed British Aerospace’s HOTOL single-stage-to-orbit spaceplane. Philip Dunne, a former defense minister, chaired the company.Reaction Engines specialized in advanced space propulsion systems, aiming primarily to construct the Skylon spaceplane while also licensing its key technologies to various projects and conducting tests for clients, including the US Air Force.

SABRE Engine Attracts Investors

The Synergetic Air Breathing Rocket Engine (SABRE), which features a regenerative cooling system designed to protect hypersonic jet engines by rapidly cooling incoming air with liquid hydrogen, drew interest from investors such as BAE Systems, which acquired 20% of Reaction Engines’ stock in 2015. This led to further investments from Boeing, Rolls-Royce, and others.

However, this year the company faced severe financial challenges due to slower-than-expected growth and its failure to secure an additional £150 million (US$193 million) in funding, with BAE Systems and Rolls-Royce unwilling to provide bailout capital.

As a result, as of October 31, Reaction Engines has come under the control of administrators PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC). The company’s website now redirects users to PwC, which issued a notice stating that it will share more information with creditors as it evaluates the assets. Reports indicate that management laid off 173 out of the company’s 208 employees.

Implications for UK Hypersonic Program

The fallout from Reaction Engines’ closure is significant. The company played a crucial role in the UK government’s £1-billion ($1.3-billion) Hypersonic Technologies & Capability Development Framework (HTCDF) program aimed at developing the nation’s first hypersonic missile. The loss of SABRE technology has jeopardized the program’s progress, leaving the government scrambling to address the setbacks.

Additionally, the cooling technology was utilized by several Formula 1 teams, including those associated with Mercedes-Benz.

Statement from PwC Administrator

“It’s deeply disappointing that this pioneering company, with a 35-year legacy of leading aerospace innovation, has been unable to secure the necessary funding to continue operations,” said Sarah O’Toole, joint administrator and partner at PwC. “We recognize that this is an incredibly uncertain and challenging time for the talented and dedicated employees of the company. We are committed to offering them the support they need during this period.”

Read the original article on: New Atlas

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