美国高超声速飞机动力技术储备可支撑飞行器先期研究

Advanced Study of Hypersonic Aircraft Power Technology Reserve Supportable Aircraft in the United States

NASA是美国高超声速技术领域重要的牵头单位之一，长期致力于高超声速技术的探索与研究，领导并参与了多项该领域科研计划，具有丰富的技术积累和研发经验。

NASA is one of the important lead units in the field of hypersonic technology in the United States. It has long been committed to the exploration and research of hypersonic technology, led and participated in a number of scientific research programs in this field, and has rich technology accumulation and research and development experience.

近年来，NASA在高超声速技术领域不断推出新的研发思路。2017年12月，NASA发布高超声速研究概览，强调当前高超声速技术的研究重点应当聚焦在基础研究方面，高超声速技术的基础研究是保障长期发展的重要动力。

In recent years, NASA has continuously introduced new research and development ideas in the field of hypersonic technology. In December 2017, NASA released an overview of hypersonic research, emphasizing that the current research focus of hypersonic technology should focus on basic research, which is an important driving force for long-term development.

一方面要充分利用积累的试验数据，利用这些经验证的数据来进一步强化基础研究能力；另一方面还要开展专项研究，以评估军、民用高超声速技术成熟度；最后要重视高超声速技术相关试验设备的建设和试验能力的提升。为在实践中落实这些研发思路，NASA同年启动了“高超声速技术项目”（HTP）。

On the one hand, it is necessary to make full use of the accumulated experimental data and use these verified data to further strengthen the basic research ability; On the other hand, special research should be carried out to assess the maturity of military and civilian hypersonic technology; Finally, we should pay attention to the construction of hypersonic technology related test equipment and the improvement of test capability. In order to implement these R & D ideas in practice, NASA launched the hypersonic technology project (HTP) in the same year.

一、高超声速技术项目

I. Hypersonic Technology Project

HTP项目主要工作内容包括通用的高超声速技术挑战（包括推进技术、高温耐受材料、飞行器技术和热防护系统）和高超声速基础研究和提升分析工具两个方面，详见图1。

The main work contents of HTP project include general hypersonic technical challenges (including propulsion technology, high temperature resistant materials, aircraft technology and thermal protection system) and hypersonic basic research and lifting analysis tools. See Figure 1 for details.

图1 HTP的工作范围。

Figure 1 Operating Range of HTP.

HTP计划的基础研究包括：

The basic research of HTP plan includes:

（1）系统设计、分析和验证；

(1) System design, analysis and verification;

（2）高超声速推进系统技术（包括模态转换和燃油喷射和 混合方案）；

(2) Hypersonic propulsion system technology (including mode conversion, fuel injection and mixing scheme);

（3）可重复使用飞行器技术（附面层转换预测能力）；

(3) Reusable aircraft technology (boundary layer conversion prediction capability);

（4）高温耐受材料，其进度安排如图2所示。

(4) The schedule of high temperature resistant materials is shown in Fig. 2.

图2 HTP的基础研究内容和时间表。

Figure 2 Basic research content and timetable of HTP.

除了继续加强高超声速技术基础研究，在HTP计划支撑下，NASA还逐渐将长期的高超声速技术研究向潜在的商业应用转移。NASA在对新兴民用高速飞行领域进行了详尽调查，并通过多项研究以深入了解高超声速飞行的关键问题，试图真正理解该领域的设计空间、市场需求、技术支撑以及性能要求。

In addition to continuing to strengthen basic research on hypersonic technology, NASA has also gradually transferred its long-term hypersonic technology research to potential commercial applications under the support of the HTP program. NASA has conducted a detailed investigation on the emerging civil high-speed flight field, and through a number of studies to deeply understand the key issues of hypersonic flight, trying to truly understand the design space, market demand, technical support and performance requirements of this field.

目前，NASA已在HTP框架下将四个新合同分别授予了通用电气公司（GE）、Aerion超声速公司、Hermeus公司和维珍银河公司，旨在开展高超声速飞机设计和推进系统研究。

At present, NASA has awarded four new contracts under the HTP framework to General Electric Company (GE), aerion supersonic company, hermeus company and Virgin Galactic company respectively to carry out hypersonic aircraft design and propulsion system research.

二、HTP计划分包商研究任务

Second, HTP Plan Subcontractor Research Task

（1）GE的研究任务

(1) Research Task of GE

GE的研究任务为涡轮基组合循环（TBCC）发动机和耐高温陶瓷基复合材料。材料研究将涉及由碳化硅/碳化硅（SiC/SiC）和碳/碳化硅（C/ SiC）制成的耐高温、轻质陶瓷基复合材料。

GE's research tasks are turbine based combined cycle (TBCC) engines and high temperature resistant ceramic matrix composites. Material research will involve high temperature resistant and lightweight ceramic matrix composites made of silicon carbide / silicon carbide (SiC / SiC) and carbon / silicon carbide (C / SiC).

GE在高超声速材料方面拥有专有工艺，可以制造适用于高温/高压环境的航空航天部件。另外，GE还可使用熔渗（MI）和化学气相渗透（CVI）两种工艺来制造这些材料系统。MI工艺将液态硅渗透到多孔复合材料结构中，并将碳转化为碳化硅，所获得的SiC/SiC材料在高达1370℃的温度下表现出卓越的多用途能力。CVI工艺利用化学蒸汽在多孔复合材料结构中沉积SiC，所获得的C/SiC或SiC/SiC结构具有一定的多用途能力，最高温度可达1650℃。这些类型的陶瓷基复合材料具有良好耐高温性能，非常适用于高超声速飞行。

GE has a proprietary process in hypersonic materials to manufacture aerospace components suitable for high temperature / high pressure environments. In addition, Ge can also use melt infiltration (MI) and chemical vapor infiltration (CVI) processes to manufacture these material systems. The MI process infiltrates liquid silicon into the porous composite structure and converts carbon into silicon carbide. The obtained SiC / SiC material shows excellent multi-purpose capability at temperatures up to 1370 ℃. The CVI Process uses chemical vapor to deposit SiC in the porous composite structure. The obtained C / SiC or SiC / SiC structure has certain multi-purpose ability, and the maximum temperature can reach 1650 ℃. These types of ceramic matrix composites have good high temperature resistance and are very suitable for hypersonic flight.

图3 GE研究F101发动机是否适用于高超声速飞机。

Fig. 3 GE studies whether F101 engine is suitable for hypersonic aircraft.

TBCC发动机的研发方面，GE需要研究/分析F101涡扇发动机是否适用于NASA的高超声速飞机。F101发动机最初是为B-1A轰炸机设计的，后来用于CFM56涡扇发动机的核心机，是该类型中唯一具有2.0涵道比的动力装置。

In terms of TBCC engine development, Ge needs to study / analyze whether F101 turbofan engine is suitable for NASA hypersonic aircraft. F101 engine was originally designed for B-1a bomber and later used as the core aircraft of CFM56 turbofan engine. It is the only power unit with 2.0 bypass ratio in this type.

NASA认为，F101发动机可将NASA高超声速飞机加速至TBCC的冲压部分接力的速度。F101相对较高的涵道比将使大多数流动在被节流时可以绕过核心机，以免核心机的压气机和涡轮的工作温度超过极限。

NASA believes that the F101 engine can accelerate the NASA hypersonic aircraft to the speed of the stamping part relay of TBCC. The relatively high bypass ratio of F101 will enable most flows to bypass the core compressor when throttled, so as to avoid the operating temperature of the compressor and turbine of the core compressor exceeding the limit.

（2）Aerion的研究任务

(2) Aerion's research mission

Aerion公司在过去十年中一直专注于超声速AS2的开发，AS2的设计最大巡航速度为Ma1.4，航程超过9800km。2021年年初，Aerion还披露了新一代超声速客机AS3，可搭载50名乘客，能以Ma4速度飞行13000km，预计在未来十年内首飞。

Aerion has been focusing on the development of supersonic as2 in the past decade. The designed maximum cruise speed of as2 is ma1.4 and the range is more than 980km. At the beginning of 2021, aerion also disclosed a new generation of supersonic passenger plane AS3, which can carry 50 passengers and can fly 13000km at the speed of ma4. It is expected to fly for the first time in the next decade.

不过在2021年5月，Aerion公司发布公告称由于资金问题，AS2项目将停止运营，尚且不知这会对该公司的其他项目有何影响，后续发展还有待关注。

However, in May 2021, aerion announced that due to capital problems, as2 project would stop operation. It is unknown how this will affect other projects of the company, and the follow-up development needs to be paid attention to.

图4 Aerion的AS3超声速飞机概念图。

Fig. 4 conceptual diagram of Aerion's AS3 supersonic aircraft.

2021年2月，Aerion公司宣布获得NASA HTP项目的合同，旨在“加速实现高速商业飞行和更快的点对点旅行，特别是研究在Ma3～Ma5速度域中的商用飞机可行性”。Aerion公司在HTP下的研究工作将聚焦于该速度域的超声速/高超声速飞机的推进和热管理技术。通过与NASA的合作研发，Aerion公司将评估推进系统和热管理技术的参数适用性。

In February 2021, aerion announced that it was awarded the contract of NASA HTP project, aiming to "accelerate the realization of high-speed commercial flight and faster point-to-point travel, especially to study the feasibility of commercial aircraft in the ma3-ma5 speed range". Aerion's research work under HTP will focus on the propulsion and thermal management technology of supersonic / hypersonic aircraft in this speed domain. Through cooperative research and development with NASA, aerion will evaluate the parameter applicability of the propulsion system and thermal management technology.

（3）Hermeus的研究任务

(3) Hermeus' task

NASA与Hermeus公司开展高超声速技术合作，该公司在2019年5月披露了Ma5高超声速民用飞机研发项目，计划充分利用现有和短期内可实现的技术，研制一型最大巡航速度达到Ma5、载客20人左右、航程约7400km的高超声速民用飞机。

NASA and hermeus carried out hypersonic technology cooperation. In May 2019, the company disclosed the Ma5 hypersonic civil aircraft research and development project. It plans to make full use of existing and short-term technologies to develop a hypersonic civil aircraft with a maximum cruise speed of Ma5, about 20 passengers and a range of about 7400km.

据该Hermeus公司官网在2021年3月18日的公告，其与NASA在HTP项目下签订一项关于研究和开发高速飞机的协议，NASA将评估技术成熟度并交流关键技术。这两个组织将合作开发飞机的使用方案，包括分析高马赫数推力性能、热管理、综合能量生成和座舱系统。

According to the announcement on the official website of hermeus on March 18, 2021, it signed an agreement with NASA on the research and development of high-speed aircraft under the HTP project. NASA will evaluate the technical maturity and exchange key technologies. The two organizations will work together to develop aircraft use scenarios, including analysis of high Mach thrust performance, thermal management, integrated energy generation and cockpit systems.

Hermeus公司的TBCC发动机由涡轮发动机和亚燃冲压发动机组合而成，其中涡轮发动机将采用现货发动机进行改进，前端加上一套Hermeus公司开发的预冷器。采用常规的航空燃油，涡轮发动机的工作区间是从起飞至Ma3.3，而亚燃冲压发动机的工作区间则是从Ma2.8～Ma5。

The TBCC engine of hermeus is composed of a turbine engine and a sub combustion ramjet. The turbine engine will be improved by using the spot engine, and a set of precooler developed by hermeus is added to the front end. With conventional aviation fuel, the working range of turbine engine is from takeoff to ma3.3, while that of sub combustion ramjet engine is from ma2.8 to Ma5.

2020年2月，以捷克PBS公司的TJ100微型涡喷发动机为基础，Hermeus公司设计的TBCC发动机完成了发动机海平面静态试验。同年，该发动机还成功完成了高速直连式试验。

In February 2020, based on the tj100 micro turbojet engine of Czech PBS company, the TBCC engine designed by hermeus company completed the sea level static test of the engine. In the same year, the engine also successfully completed the high-speed direct connection test.

图5 Hermeus用于实验的缩比发动机。

Fig. 5 Hermeus scaled engine for experiment.

NASA和Hermeus合作的技术方案将用于更大尺寸的缩比TBCC发动机，该发动机采用的涡轮发动机以GE公司的J85-21为基础进行改装（图6）。采用相同的结构，新的TBCC发动机流量将是原来发动机的10倍，其尺寸可以配装飞行器。Hermeus计划在2021年年底开展该TBCC发动机的海平面静态试验。

The technical scheme cooperated by NASA and hermeus will be used for the larger scale scaled TBCC engine. The turbine engine used in this engine is modified based on Ge j85-21 (Fig. 6). With the same structure, the flow of the new TBCC engine will be 10 times that of the original engine, and its size can be equipped with aircraft. Hermeus plans to carry out the sea level static test of the TBCC engine at the end of 2021.

图6 Hermeus对GE J85-21发动机进行改装。

Fig. 6 Hermeus retrofit GE J85-21 engine.

（4）维珍银河的研究任务

(4) Virgin Galactic's research mission

NASA在2020年与维珍银河公司签订一项太空法案协议，就高速民用运输技术开展合作研究。维珍银河公司的高超声速民用飞机的设计方案为可搭载9-19人，可在全球现有机场条件下起降，最高速度为Ma3，飞行高度超过18km，并且可结合客户需求实现客舱布局定制（如定制商务舱或头等舱等）。

In 2020, NASA signed a space act agreement with Virgin Galactic to conduct cooperative research on high-speed civil transportation technology. Virgin Galactic's hypersonic civil aircraft is designed to be able to carry 9-19 people, take off and land under the conditions of existing airports around the world, with a maximum speed of Ma3 and a flight height of more than 18km. In addition, the cabin layout can be customized according to customer needs (such as customized business class or first class class).

动力方面，基于罗罗在高马赫数飞行器动力系统具有的丰富经验，维珍银河公司选择罗罗研发新型高速飞机推进技术。同时，维珍银河公司还计划通过该飞机的设计，引领业界使用最新的可持续航空燃料。

In terms of power, based on RORO's rich experience in the power system of high Mach aircraft, Virgin Galactic chose RORO to develop new high-speed aircraft propulsion technology. At the same time, Virgin Galactic plans to lead the industry to use the latest sustainable aviation fuel through the design of the aircraft.

三、小结

III. Summary

（1）从TBCC关键技术转入高超声速飞机

(1) Transfer from TBCC Key Technology to Hypersonic Aircraft

NASA在高超声速技术方面拥有丰富的研究经验，曾成功开展X-43A的飞行试验。在FAP（隶属于NASA航空计划下的基础航空项目）计划下开展的高超声速研究主要针对TBCC关键技术，如缩尺进气道模态转换（IMX）、大尺寸进气道模态转换（LIMX）以及高速涡轮涡扇研究等。

NASA has rich research experience in hypersonic technology and has successfully carried out the flight test of X-43A. The hypersonic research carried out under the FAP (a basic aviation project under NASA's aviation program) program mainly focuses on the key technologies of TBCC, such as the scale inlet mode conversion (IMX), large-scale inlet mode conversion (limx) and high-speed turbine turbofan research.

从NASA启动HTP项目正式开展高超声速飞机及其推进系统技术研究可看出，NASA在前期研究的基础上，已从TBCC发动机的关键技术攻关转入飞发一体化的设计和研究。

It can be seen from NASA's launch of the HTP project to officially carry out the research on hypersonic aircraft and its propulsion system technology that NASA has shifted from the key technology research of TBCC engine to the design and research of flight engine integration on the basis of previous research.

（2）政府直接主导高超声速飞机项目

(2) Government Directly Dominates Hypersonic Aircraft Project

美国正在高超声速飞机领域不断发力，由政府直接主导高超声速飞机项目。

The United States is making continuous efforts in the field of hypersonic aircraft, with the government directly leading the hypersonic aircraft project.

继Blackswift项目下马之后，美国高超声速飞机概念的提出与研究多是企业机构的行为，如洛马在2013年提出的SR-72和波音的女武神高超声速飞机。随着高超声速技术的突破和发展，这项技术不再局限于军事领域，同时会加速向民用领域扩展。

After the blackswift project was launched, the concept of hypersonic aircraft in the United States was put forward and researched mostly by enterprises, such as the sr-72 proposed by Loma in 2013 and the nvwushen hypersonic aircraft of Boeing. With the breakthrough and development of hypersonic technology, this technology is no longer limited to the military field, but will accelerate the expansion to the civilian field.

NASA的高超声速技术项目的启动和新开展的高超声速飞机研究项目让我们看到，政府再次走到高超声速飞机概念研究的台前，或可预示着美国高超声速飞机动力技术的储备可支撑飞行器的先期研究。

The launch of NASA's hypersonic technology project and the newly launched hypersonic aircraft research project let us see that the government once again comes to the stage of hypersonic aircraft concept research, which may indicate that the reserve of hypersonic aircraft power technology in the United States can support the advanced research of aircraft.