Specialists from the Penza Artillery Engineering Institute (PAII) have developed a new starting jet engine for recoilless short-range systems. The power unit received an automatically adjustable supersonic nozzle capable of automatically changing the flow area.
As long as the pressure in the combustion chamber remains below 45 MPa, the engine operates normally. If the pressure starts to rise, the valve automatically shifts and increases the critical nozzle section by 2–3 mm. This allows a larger volume of gases to be released and maintains the pressure at the calculated level.
PAII developers calculated that the pressure in the engine chamber can vary from 45 MPa at –50 °C to 65 MPa at +50 °C.
The new system eliminates temperature fluctuations without complex mechanical compensators and excess mass.
The design also uses a vortex forcing unit and an insertable powder charge, ensuring more complete fuel combustion inside the chamber.