Axisymmetrical annular plug propulsion system for integrated rocket/ramjet or rocket/scramjet

Abstract

The invention is an airframe which includes a vehicle (,) having a solid propellant rocket engine (,) and a ramjet or scramjet engine (,); a thrust plug (,) extending from an end (,) of the vehicle which directs combustion gases (,and,) produced by the solid propellant rocket engine or ramjet/scramjet engine to produce forward thrust; a longitudinal passage (,) extending from the end of the vehicle to an opening (,) forward of the end which receives external air directed by forward movement of the vehicle and in which solid propellant (,) of the solid propellant rocket engine is located, and wherein during rocket operation solid propellant is combusted to produce the combustion gases in the longitudinal passage which are conveyed by the longitudinal passage into contact with the thrust plug and during ramjet/scramjet operation the longitudinal passage is open to flow of external air after operation of the solid propellant rocket engine is completed and which supports mixing and combustion of the air/fuel by the ramjet/scramjet engine to produce combustion gases which are conveyed by the longitudinal passage into contact with the thrust plug.