Rotating detonation engine

A rotating detonation engine (RDE) uses a form of pressure gain combustion, where one or more detonations continuously travel around an annular channel.^[1] Computational simulations and experimental results have shown that the RDE has potential in transport and other applications.^[2][3]

In detonative combustion, the flame front expands at supersonic speed. It is theoretically up to 25% more efficient than conventional deflagrative combustion,^[4] offering potentially major fuel savings.^[5][6]

Disadvantages include instability and noise.^{[citation needed]}