The Bristol Odin is a ramjet engine originally developed by Bristol Siddeley Engines, later taken over by Rolls-Royce.[1]

Sea Dart air intake cone illustrating the integral Odin ramjet
Sea Dart air intake cone illustrating the integral Odin ramjet

Odin was specifically designed to power the Sea Dart missile.[2] Unlike the earlier Thor ramjet powering the Bristol Bloodhound missile, Odin is an integral part of the Sea Dart airframe.[3] A biconic intake at the front of the missile transfers air, via a transfer duct, to the ramjet combustor, which is located towards the rear of the missile. Thrust is provided by the combustion products exiting the engine at high velocity, via a fixed area ratio convergent-divergent nozzle. The only significant moving part in the engine is the turbopump. This extracts 'ram' air in the transfer duct to drive an air-turbine, which is connected to the fuel pump. The air exiting the turbine is dumped overboard.

References edit

  1. ^ "Rolls-Royce Bristol Odin ramjet for the Sea Dart". National Archives. Retrieved 12 December 2015.
  2. ^ "Odin- another stride in the ramjet age". Flight International: 4. 1966.
  3. ^ "British Ramjets". Flight: 212–213. 10 August 1956.