The result of some negotiation appears to be the Bloodhound STEM programme in exchange for a EJ200.
Perhaps so - couldn't possibly comment - but it is not the primary driver, that's Richard Noble who likes the LSR, the team around him and Wing Commander Andy Green who continues to drive the cars. It does, however, give the project an extra dimension and, like interest in cars and motorsport, capture them when young.... .
And I get the comments about "built in a shed and hairy-chested stuff". But do, perhaps, reflect that it's not exactly a full-blown factory/OEM effort, with a vehicle built around an EJ200, a one-off rocket fuelled booster, and an old F1 engine as the fuel pump. Dealing with issues such as whether the EJ200 can cope with a 3+g deceleration which it's not designed for is interesting when you have to make 2 runs. Integrating an EJ200 into the vehicle that has to be fooled into thinking that it's in a Typhoon. And they are trying to achieve 1,000mph while still attached to the ground. Struggling to find backing and support. Rolls-Royce is now officially supporting the project (since May) and is providing financial and technical support - that's a real first and a indication of confidence - they have not associated their name or provided support for all other LSR attempts using their engines.
So, it's more in an "aeronautic white overall kind of way" than some might imagine, but with the supplement of needing to raise funding and trying to capture the interest of today's youth. Not a bad effort, I would venture....
MG Mark
