Research Article | | Peer-Reviewed

Quantum-Driven Rotating Detonation Engine Optimization for Hypersonic Propulsion Systems

Received: 27 September 2025     Accepted: 7 October 2025     Published: 3 December 2025
Views:       Downloads:
Abstract

Quantum Annealing, Rotating Detonation Engine (RDE), Hypersonic Propulsion, Optimization, Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD)

Published in American Journal of Aerospace Engineering (Volume 11, Issue 2)
DOI 10.11648/j.ajae.20251102.14
Page(s) 46-53
Creative Commons

This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.

Copyright

Copyright © The Author(s), 2025. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

This study presents a quantum-driven computational framework for optimizing rotating detonation engine (RDE) configurations in hypersonic propulsion systems. The proposed framework integrates quantum annealing algorithms with high-fidelity computational fluid dynamics (CFD) to overcome the prohibitive computational cost and nonlinearity of detonation stability optimization. The RDE design parameters such as injector spacing, diameter, and injection angle are encoded as a Quadratic Unconstrained Binary Optimization (QUBO) problem and solved using a D-Wave Advantage quantum annealer. A hybrid quantum classical workflow is then used to evaluate and refine candidate solutions through reduced-order CFD simulations. Results demonstrate that quantum-driven optimization identifies injector geometries that improve detonation wave stability by 28%, reduce pressure oscillation amplitudes by 58%, and enhance the thrust-to-weight ratio by approximately 15% compared with conventional designs. The optimized injector configuration suppresses parasitic detonation modes and extends stable single-wave operation to equivalence ratios up to 1.4. These findings highlight the potential of quantum annealing to explore high-dimensional design spaces and to accelerate the development of next-generation propulsion systems. Beyond RDEs, the methodology provides a scalable template for applying quantum computing to other fluid-structure optimization problems in aerospace engineering.

References
[1] Lu, F. K., & Braun, E. M. (2014). Rotating Detonation wave propulsion: experimental challenges, modeling, and engine concepts. Journal of Propulsion and Power, 30(5), 1125-1142.
[2] Koch, J., & Kutz, J. N. (2020). Modeling thermodynamic trends of rotating detonation engines. Physics of Fluids, 32(12).
[3] Zhu, Y., Zhang, S., Chen, H., & Wu, Y. (2024). Liquid fuels in rotating detonation engines: Advances and challenges. Physics of Fluids, 36(12).
[4] Farcas, I., Gundevia, R. P., Munipalli, R., & Willcox, K. E. (2023). Parametric non-intrusive reduced-order models via operator inference for large-scale rotating detonation engine simulations. AIAA SCITECH 2023 Forum.
[5] Jiang, J., & Chu, C. (2023). Classifying and benchmarking quantum annealing algorithms based on quadratic unconstrained binary optimization for solving NP-Hard problems. IEEE Access, 11, 104165-104178.
[6] Borowski, M., Gora, P., Karnas, K., Błajda, M., Król, K., Matyjasek, A., Burczyk, D., Szewczyk, M., & Kutwin, M. (2020). New hybrid quantum annealing algorithms for solving vehicle routing problem. In Lecture notes in computer science (pp. 546-561).
[7] Zhang, B. (2024). Enhancing detonation propulsion with jet in cross-flow: A comprehensive review. Progress in Aerospace Sciences, 147, 101020.
[8] Neumann, N. M. P., De Heer, P. B. U. L., & Phillipson, F. (2023). Quantum Reinforcement learning. Quantum Inf Process, 22(125).
[9] Ye, C., An, N., Ma, T., Dou, M., Bai, W., Chen, Z., & Guo, G. (2024). A hybrid quantum-classical framework for computational fluid dynamics. arXiv (Cornell University).
[10] Gherardi, A., & Leporati, A. (2024). An analysis of quantum annealing algorithms for solving the maximum clique problem. arXiv (Cornell University).
[11] Giusti, A., & Mastorakos, E. (2019). Turbulent Combustion Modelling and Experiments: Recent trends and Developments. Flow Turbulence and Combustion, 103(4), 847-869.
[12] Drakoulas, G., Gortsas, T., Bourantas, G., Burganos, V., & Polyzos, D. (2023). FastSVD-ML-ROM: A reduced-order modeling framework based on machine learning for real-time applications. Computer Methods in Applied Mechanics and Engineering, 414, 116155.
Cite This Article
  • APA Style

    Sharma, A., Saluti, D. (2025). Quantum-Driven Rotating Detonation Engine Optimization for Hypersonic Propulsion Systems. American Journal of Aerospace Engineering, 11(2), 46-53. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajae.20251102.14

    Copy | Download

    ACS Style

    Sharma, A.; Saluti, D. Quantum-Driven Rotating Detonation Engine Optimization for Hypersonic Propulsion Systems. Am. J. Aerosp. Eng. 2025, 11(2), 46-53. doi: 10.11648/j.ajae.20251102.14

    Copy | Download

    AMA Style

    Sharma A, Saluti D. Quantum-Driven Rotating Detonation Engine Optimization for Hypersonic Propulsion Systems. Am J Aerosp Eng. 2025;11(2):46-53. doi: 10.11648/j.ajae.20251102.14

    Copy | Download

  • @article{10.11648/j.ajae.20251102.14,
      author = {Ashutosh Sharma and Dean Saluti},
      title = {Quantum-Driven Rotating Detonation Engine Optimization for Hypersonic Propulsion Systems
    },
      journal = {American Journal of Aerospace Engineering},
      volume = {11},
      number = {2},
      pages = {46-53},
      doi = {10.11648/j.ajae.20251102.14},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajae.20251102.14},
      eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ajae.20251102.14},
      abstract = {Quantum Annealing, Rotating Detonation Engine (RDE), Hypersonic Propulsion, Optimization, Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD)
    },
     year = {2025}
    }
    

    Copy | Download

  • TY  - JOUR
    T1  - Quantum-Driven Rotating Detonation Engine Optimization for Hypersonic Propulsion Systems
    
    AU  - Ashutosh Sharma
    AU  - Dean Saluti
    Y1  - 2025/12/03
    PY  - 2025
    N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajae.20251102.14
    DO  - 10.11648/j.ajae.20251102.14
    T2  - American Journal of Aerospace Engineering
    JF  - American Journal of Aerospace Engineering
    JO  - American Journal of Aerospace Engineering
    SP  - 46
    EP  - 53
    PB  - Science Publishing Group
    SN  - 2376-4821
    UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajae.20251102.14
    AB  - Quantum Annealing, Rotating Detonation Engine (RDE), Hypersonic Propulsion, Optimization, Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD)
    
    VL  - 11
    IS  - 2
    ER  - 

    Copy | Download

Author Information
  • Sections