US, Norway to Research on Ramjets For Hypersonic Missiles

The Pentagon on Monday announced a joint US-Norwegian effort to produce solid fuel ramjet propulsion systems for the Navy's hypersonic missiles.

The Tactical High-speed Offensive Ramjet for Extended Range (THOR-ER) project aims to cooperatively develop and integrate advancements in solid fuel ramjet technologies into full-size prototypes that are affordable, attain high-speeds, and achieve extended range, culminating in flight demonstrations in operationally relevant conditions, Pentagon said in a release.

The THOR-ER is an Allied Prototyping Initiative (API) effort under the Directorate for Advanced Capabilities within the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering.

THOR-ER continues collaborative research efforts involving the US Navy’s Naval Air Warfare Center, Weapons Division China Lake; the Norwegian Defence Research Establishment; and Norwegian industry partner Nammo.