Astro Mechanica's 'Duality' engine: A leap toward supersonic flight
Astro Mechanica, a California-based startup, is working on the Duality—a hybrid-electric jet engine built to make flights faster and more efficient.
Teaming up with UK-based Helix for powerful motors, they're aiming for this engine to handle everything from takeoff to speeds over Mach 3.
The first test flight could happen in about three years.
How it works
The Duality's fourth-gen prototype uses four high-powered Helix motors (each peaking at 400kW) to drive its compressor, with next-gen versions expected to more than double that power.
Its design lets it switch between turbofan, turbojet, and ramjet modes as speed increases—so it adapts mid-flight for max efficiency.
Why it matters
Astro Mechanica wants this tech to make long-distance flights—like across the Pacific—more affordable and practical. They're also eyeing uses in defense and cargo.
By separating power generation from propulsion and using motorsport-level tech, Duality stands out from other jet engine projects and could shake up how we think about supersonic travel.