Flight Applications

More capable space access systems are achievable through the high efficiency of the SABRE engine and the elimination of the need to carry on-board oxidizer during air-breathing flight segments. The resulting increased system performance enables aircraft-like horizontal take-off and landing operations, which reduce cost, infrastructure, and mission timelines while increasing responsiveness and system reusability. SABRE class engines are applicable in both multi-stage and single-stage architectures.

SABRE is capable of achieving air-breathing flight from Mach 0 to Mach 5+ as a single propulsion installation and is well suited for a variety of potential high-speed mission areas. SABRE enables more capable high-speed vehicles able to operate within and between expansive and unique flight envelopes, which improves many critical mission characteristics. SABRE’s rocket mode adds the additional flexibility to increase thrust or transition to sub-orbital flight regimes on demand.

SABRE will make the world smaller through high-speed point-to-point transport. To demonstrate the uses for SABRE in Mach 5 cruise applications, Reaction Engines engaged in a 50% EU-funded project as part of Framework 6, called LAPCAT — Long-term Advanced Propulsion Concepts and Technologies. This study examined the technologies required to reduce long-distance flights, e.g. From Brussels to Sydney, to just over 4 hours while cruising at Mach 5.

Another way in which SABRE is unique as a high-speed propulsion system is that most development testing can be done on the ground. This fact enables a much faster, more affordable and less risky journey towards achieving operational high-speed vehicles. Following the ground testing programme, flight testing will be used to validate many key airframe and engine integration technologies while we work with our partners to finalise the design of the first operational SABRE powered vehicle.