US Air Force-funded 4000-lbf liquid rocket engine goes supersonic two times in 45 days

Air Force Research Laboratory and Ursa Major completed a second flight test of the Affordable Rapid Missile Demonstrator (ARMD).

Powered by Ursa Major’s 4,000-lbf Draper liquid engine, the vehicle again reached supersonic speeds.

The repeat success came just 45 days after the first flight, signaling rapid test progress.

The program points to affordable, mass-producible high-speed missile propulsion with possible defense and space applications.