Destinus Unveils HydrogenPowered Supersonic Demonstrator Destinus 3 at Paris-Le Bourget Air Show

Destinus 在巴黎布尔歇航展上推出氢动力超音速验证机 Destinus 3，为可持续的超音速航空开辟了道路

The propulsion system for Destinus 3 will incorporate a kerosene-fueled turbojet engine in conjunction with a liquid hydrogen-fueled afterburner. We’re also developing plans to trial a fully hydrogen-based system for both turbojet and afterburner — Mikhail Kokorich, CEO, Destinus

Destinus (http://www.destinus.com), a European aerospace firm advancing the frontiers of high-speed, hydrogen-powered aviation, unveiled its third demonstrator, the Destinus 3, at the grand opening of the 54th Paris-Le Bourget International Air Show. This groundbreaking model is set to be the world’s first hydrogen-powered supersonic unmanned vehicle, aiming to achieve a speed of Mach 1.3. Destinus has slated its supersonic flight campaigns, propelled by liquid hydrogen, for 2024.

Destinus is on a mission to launch the world’s first commercial hypersonic passenger plane entirely powered by hydrogen, the Destinus S, between 2030 and 2032. With a proposed cruising speed of Mach 5 and a capacity to accommodate 25 passengers, the Destinus S is set to outpace the Concorde by more than two and a half times. At such velocities, journeys from Paris to New York would take just 1.5 hours.

展望 2040 年代，Destinus 计划推出更大的型号 Destinus L。这艘庞然大物预计可在短短两三个小时内将 300 至 400 名乘客运送到全球任何目的地，同时实现高达 6 马赫的惊人速度。Destinus L 将利用低温氢气进行推进和冷却，为效率和可持续性设定新的行业标准。

After successfully completing flight tests with two earlier demonstrators and rigorously examining its hydrogen engine both on the ground and in the air, Destinus is celebrating the inauguration of its third full-scale demonstrator, Destinus 3. This advanced 10-meter, 2-tonne prototype is equipped with Destinus’s proprietary hydrogen afterburner technology and a novel autopilot system. The design sets a new benchmark for supersonic capabilities and technological sophistication.

“The propulsion system for Destinus 3 will incorporate a kerosene-fueled turbojet engine in conjunction with a liquid hydrogen-fueled afterburner. We’re also developing plans to trial a fully hydrogen-based system for both turbojet and afterburner,” stated Mikhail Kokorich, CEO of Destinus. He added, “The demonstrator is equipped with a liquid hydrogen tank and an innovative feed system that features an electric pump. Destinus 3 is on track for its inaugural subsonic flight in early 2024, with supersonic flight campaigns to follow in late 2024.”

2023 年 5 月，开创性的氢后燃烧器技术在 Destinus 1（少女峰）验证机上成功进行了飞行测试。其 Destinus 1 (少女峰）的 4 米飞行器，以及 Destinus 2 (10米的飞行器 "艾格"（Eiger）已经成功展示了其亚音速飞行的能力。这两个模型分别在验证基于摇摆机概念的高超声速气动外形的低速飞行能力和推进高超声速气动外形研究方面发挥了重要作用。

Hypersonic will revolutionize aviation technology and usage in the 21st century. It is vital for Europe to remain a leader in the aeronautical field, and not miss this turning point that the USA, China and Russia are preparing,” said General Michel Friedling, former Commander of the French Space Command and member of the Destinus Advisory Board.

“It’s noteworthy that the hypersonic propulsion technologies developed by Destinus are based on the use of hydrogen. This underlines, once again, the unique role of hydrogen as the fuel of the future for aviation,” remarked Philipp Rösler, the former Vice Chancellor of Germany, Minister of Economics and Technology, and current member of the Destinus advisory board.

Hydrogen fuel, with its heat of combustion three times higher than kerosene and exceptional cooling capabilities, has emerged as the optimal choice for building efficient and robust combined cycle engines. These engines would include a turbojet component for subsonic and supersonic speeds and a ramjet for hypersonic speeds. Leveraging hydrogen not only promotes efficiency but also significantly reduces the environmental impact of future hypersonic flights, highlighting Destinus’s commitment to sustainable aviation.

…notes from SP