Applications in flight
Flight testing, communications and defense applications for a jet-powered drone in development. Microgravity and high-altitude research form part of the spaceplane programme.
Find your application- Research teams
- Industry
- Defense & security
Where the platforms can be used
| Application | Potential platform | Development status |
|---|---|---|
| Air-defense training & radar tracking | Jet-powered drone | Proposed application |
| Jet-engine & flight-control testing | Jet-powered drone | Planned flight testing |
| Sensors, avionics & payloads | EDF / jet-powered drone | Planned integration work |
| Communications & navigation | Jet-powered drone | Proposed application |
| Reconnaissance & surveillance | Jet-powered variants | Proposed application |
| Supersonic technology testing | Combined-propulsion demonstrators | Future application |
| Microgravity & high-altitude research | Suborbital spaceplane concept | Long-term goal |
Target aircraft and defense R&D
Air-defense training, radar tracking, reconnaissance and surveillance.
The jet-powered platform is being developed for mission-specific roles. Training, system evaluation and other defense applications each require a defined configuration and test programme.
Explore defense applicationsA flying testbed for jet propulsion
Evaluate jet propulsion under flight conditions.
The planned jet platform will support jet-engine evaluation, payload integration and flight-control validation. Each test programme will define the installation, operating conditions and measurements required.
- Partners
- Engine manufacturers and propulsion R&D teams
- Test objectives
- Integration experience and flight-test feedback
- Platform
- Jet-powered platform; partnership-led development
Sensor and avionics testing
Flight platforms for sensors, avionics, communications and navigation systems.
Proposed tests include airborne antennas, data links, navigation systems and research payloads. Integration and flight-control validation will be defined around each experiment.
- Partners
- System suppliers, universities and research teams
- Test objectives
- Antennas, data links, navigation, sensors and avionics
- Platform
- EDF and jet demonstrators, subject to integration scope
High-altitude and suborbital research
The spaceplane concept supports microgravity research in materials science, fluid dynamics and life sciences, with payload return for post-flight analysis.
Supersonic testing could address aerodynamics, materials, communications and radar technologies. High-altitude missions could support atmospheric observation, sensors and avionics.
Status Future applications; suborbital services are not yet available.
Explore the spaceplane ambition
Discuss your test programme
Tell us about your engine, payload, communications system or research experiment and the flight conditions it needs.
Discuss your test programme