The aerospace industry has always been defined by moments that bend the rules of what’s possible. The Wright Flyer. The jet age. The Concorde. And now, perhaps, the dawn of propulsion systems that fly without a single moving part. This month, GE Aerospace confirmed successful flight testing of its new solid-fuel ramjet under the ATLAS (Atmospheric Test of Launched Airbreathing System) programme — a design so radical it contains no moving parts at all. Mounted on an F-104 Starfighter, the prototype engine represents a new chapter in hypersonic propulsion, capable of operating beyond Mach 5, powered by a solid hydrocarbon fuel that burns along its inner walls.
To the team at ANT Industries, the Atherstone-based manufacturer of precision aero-engine components, this isn’t just an engineering marvel — it’s a glimpse of a new paradigm. “For those of us who live and breathe the detail of turbine technology, to see an aircraft engine concept with no moving parts is utterly fascinating,” says Shaun Rowley, Managing Director of ANT Industries. “It challenges every convention we’ve grown up with in aerospace. And that’s what makes this sector so exciting — it never stops evolving.”
Unlike conventional jet engines, which rely on spinning compressors and turbines to draw in, compress, and ignite air, a ramjet uses the speed of the aircraft itself to compress incoming air before combustion. GE’s solid-fuel variant goes further still, lining the inside of the combustion chamber with a rubber-like fuel that burns away layer by layer — light, efficient, and self-sustaining.
In principle, it’s simplicity itself. In practice, it’s an engineering frontier that’s been decades in the making. “When you think about what’s involved — sustaining controlled combustion at Mach 5, managing temperature, and keeping structural integrity at hypersonic speeds — the level of ingenuity is staggering,” says Rowley. “We look at that as both engineers and suppliers: what materials make that possible, how heat behaves, how components are machined or finished to withstand those conditions. It’s the kind of challenge that defines the next generation of aerospace manufacturing.”
From its 28,000 ft² facility in Atherstone, Warwickshire, ANT Industries produces rings, casings, and complex components for Rolls-Royce, Eaton Aerospace, ITP and other global customers. The company’s deep involvement in advanced turbine manufacturing gives it a unique perspective on emerging propulsion systems — and the materials and tolerances they demand.
“There’s a long way to go before solid-fuel ramjets or similar concepts move into mainstream aviation,” Rowley explains. “But the principles — lighter systems, fewer mechanical losses, higher efficiency — are shaping how we think even now. Whether it’s additive manufacturing, ceramic matrix composites, or near-net machining, we’re already developing capabilities for the kind of precision and performance these technologies will need.”
ANT’s commitment to that frontier is backed by significant reinvestment — in five-axis machining, precision grinding, and skilled people. The company has secured over £30 million in forward aerospace orders, exporting 80% of its production worldwide.
“Innovation doesn’t happen in isolation,” Rowley continues. “Our role is to keep building capability so when OEMs push the limits — like GE just has — the UK supply chain can be ready to support it.”
For a business that began as a small toolmaker in 1972, ANT Industries has grown into a global player — not just in scale, but in curiosity. The company’s team of engineers and apprentices follow developments like the GE ATLAS programme with genuine excitement, seeing each breakthrough as a new puzzle to solve.
“A lot of people look at an engine with no moving parts and think it’s science fiction,” Rowley smiles. “But so was the jet engine once. Every leap forward starts with an idea that seems impossible — until engineers make it real.”
He pauses, then adds:
“That’s the spirit that drives aerospace. Whether it’s hypersonic flight or sustainable propulsion, our industry never stands still. And that’s exactly why it’s such a privilege to be part of it.”
From Atherstone to the skies beyond Mach 5, the message from ANT Industries is clear: the future of flight is already in motion — and it’s built on the precision, imagination, and perseverance of today’s engineers.