If increasing mass flow and thrust is the purpose, doesn't water injection do the same? Technically, since bleed air is already mechanically compressed and not "inlet" air, it is not "Ram Air"....
Inlet air that bypasses the mechanicals into the nozzle for combustion, is Ram Air.
1. Inlet air that has migrated through the spike is not ram air, it is "managed"
(slowed).
2. To qualify as a true hybrid, not a 'partial', the J58 needs to derive its power from "unmanaged" air, non 'mechanical' derivation.
3. Question. Can a Ramjet develop thrust (drag "plus") without itself burning fuel?
Last edited by Lyman; 27th Jan 2013 at 12:47.