NASA N-3X the next generation hybrid aviation

NASA N-3X the next generation hybrid aviation

NASA N-3X is a concept for the next generation aviation, and the thing, what makes it really interesting is that this system has basically capacity to use SCRAMJET-engines. The idea of this hybrid system that aircraft use electric powered blowers for lift-off and landing, and the flight would happen with the normal jet engines or some more exotic power systems, like RAMJET-or SCRAMJET engines.

One of the best ideas in this system is to use electric motors in lift-off and landing, and other motor systems for creating power for fast flight. The aircraft can create the fuel itself by using electrolysis if it would have electric power for the electrolyze chambers. In this case, the aircraft would use water for the source of the hydrogen. That means that if this aircraft would have VTOL-capacity it would suck the water in the tank, and then other aircraft would pull it through the air. The electric motors would work as generators and the system can separate hydrogen from the oxygen by using electrolyze process.

The thing would work that way that the aircraft would suck the water in the tank, and then the other aircraft will start to pull it by laying the cable in the same way as the airborne refueling would happen. Then the system would allow using the internal electric engine and then the aircraft will return to fill the rest of the tanks, and it can use the internal systems for creating power for electrolysis.

Turbines and ramjets are not very sharp about the fuel, and the oxygen and chlorine gas would be released to the atmosphere if the electrolyze system uses the salt water in the process. The thing to use hydrogen as a fuel is that it can produce everywhere where is electricity, and that system can installed in the aircraft itself. Fuel cells and electrolytic chambers are the very light tools, and actually, those structures can be used in both purposes. And when the speed of the aircraft would increase the induction motors can turn to windmill generators. Or in fact, the aircraft would need to equip with the power current, and that allows to take electricity for hydrogen creation system from the normal electric network.

The thing in those exotic propulsion systems is that they would need the auxiliary power system for creating electric power for the aircraft's avionics and other electric systems. RAMJET and SCRAMJET have no moving parts inside them, and that's why the motor itself is unable to create the electric power. Putting a similar flap system, what is used in V-1 (Fi-103) flying bomb in the RAMJET or SCRAMJET would allow the lift-off and land by using those motors.  This NASA concept uses only the normal jet motors, but there is capacity for those exotic power systems.

The flap system of those motors and hydrogen fuel would make possible to use those "hypersonic simpleness" in the low-speed flight, but the electric power in the system is problematic. An induction motor has one ability. They can work as motors or generators, and in this NASA concept those electric motors can lift off this vehicle and they can be used in the noiseless lift-off and flight. The fuel cells would give power to that system during slow flight, and then the motors for fast flight would be started after the aircraft is flown away from the city areas, and then the fuel injection to the motors would be started.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0_50FcUgUf8