Corporate Press Releases (Daito)

[Daitō]

The following thread shall be used for press releases made by Daitojin companies. For statements issued by the Daitojin Government, please refer to the other thread.

[Daitō]

Uechi Technologies Demonstrates Hypersonic Dual-Mode Ramjet with Rotating Detonation Combustion
December 15, 2023
• New architecture with Rotating Detonation Combustion (RDC) could power super-efficient hypersonic vehicles with longer range that exceed Mach 5, or >6,100 KPH
• High-speed propulsion program part of a broad portfolio of capabilities and scale Uechi Technologies brings in high-temperature materials, high-temperature electronics, thermal management, and high-speed aerodynamics to propel hypersonic vehicles

AKITAKATA, HR — December 15, 2023 — Uechi Technologies lifted the curtain on its comprehensive hypersonics program at its Research Center in Akitakata, demonstrating what is believed to be a world-first hypersonic dual-mode ramjet (DMRJ) test rig with rotating detonation combustion (RDC) in a supersonic flow stream. This could help to enable high-speed, long-range flight with increased efficiency. The milestone and overall portfolio of programs position Uechi Technologies to pursue multiple opportunities in the hypersonic sector as it prepares to launch as a standalone company in Q2 of 2684.

The successful high-speed DMRJ demonstration is a part of a comprehensive portfolio of technology programs Uechi Technologies is developing and scaling to advance hypersonic capabilities, including high-temperature materials and high-temperature electronics. These technologies are the product of more than a decade’s worth of direct hypersonic-related efforts advanced by Uechi Technologies Research and several decades of developments for its Uechi Technologies engine business in key areas like high-temperature ceramic matrix composites (CMCs), silicon carbide power electronics, additive technologies, and advanced thermal management.

“As the aerospace sector sets its sights on the future of hypersonics, Uechi Technologies is well positioned with the right capabilities, experience, and scale to be a leader in driving new developments for our customers,” said Mitsuko Takahashi, President and CEO, Uechi Technologies, Defense & Systems. “The highly successful demonstration of a DMRJ with RDC is an outgrowth of our 10+ years of RDC work, including the strategic acquisition of Ōshiro that has brought leading technologies and experience in hypersonic propulsion and ramjets.”

A typical air breathing DMRJ propulsion system can only begin operating when the vehicle achieves supersonic speeds of greater than Mach 3. Uechi Technologies engineers are working on a rotating detonation-enabled dual mode ramjet that is capable of operating at lower Mach numbers, enabling the flight vehicle to operate more efficiently and achieve longer range.

The acquisition of Ōshiro last year gave Uechi Technologies dual mode engine capabilities that were rapidly augmented with Uechi Technologies Research’s decade’s long work in RDC and several decades of Uechi Technologies experience in high Mach research and engine development programs. RDC enables higher thrust generation more efficiently, at an overall smaller engine size and weight, by combusting the fuel through detonation waves instead of a standard combustion system that powers traditional jet engines today.

“The successful development, integration, and demonstration of Uechi’s unique technologies and capabilities will position us to provide differentiating hypersonic propulsion systems for our customers now and well into the future.” said Fumio Noguchi, Vice President & General Manager, Hamasaki Works Business & Technology Development, Uechi Technologies. “We have assembled the right expertise, with the right capabilities, and invested strategically to ensure we are aligned very closely with the needs of our customers. The significant results we have had to date give us confidence that we are moving in the right direction.”

Noguchi added that the team has moved very fast, noting it took just 12 months from start to finish for the DMRJ with RDC demonstration. The team is on track with its goal to demonstrate a full DMRJ with RDC at scale next year.

The development of high-speed ramjet propulsion capabilities is a key anchor point of other key advancements in hypersonic technologies, including:

   High-Temperature Materials: Uechi Technologies is one of the only aerospace OEM using ceramic matrix composites in the high-pressure turbines on commercial aircraft. These decades of materials innovation in superalloys have delivered higher temperature capabilities and durability that have enabled commercial engines to operate more efficiently over time.
   High-Temperature Electronics: Uechi Technologies researchers recently demonstrated the first believed Silicon Carbide (SiC) MOSFETs that can operate at temperatures exceeding 800 degrees C, along with other recent advancements in SiC technology that have created scalable 600C- capable electronics to control and monitor hypersonic vehicles in extreme high temperature operating environments. Uechi Technologies has amassed a leading IP portfolio in SiC over two decades and already offers SiC- based electrical power products with power levels from kilowatts to megawatts for harsh environments in aerospace, industrial, and military applications.

[Daitō]

Announcing the Journey XR
January 07, 2024

Just over a decade ago, Arasaka unveiled its first attempt at an augmented reality headset in the form of the Arasaka Glass, a device which, although primitive by today's standards, nonetheless became popular across Daito and spread to many corners of the world. Yet for all its popularity, it still had its issues: they looked somewhat geeky and had limited functionality, not to mention a battery life which could never hope to compete today. That is why, as we prepare to drop support for Glass in 2025, we come before you to announce its successor. The time has come to make augmented reality cheaper and more accessible than ever before. The time has come to take you on a journey that will last a lifetime.

Introducing the Journey XR.

Styled on a pair of neo-retro acetate frames, the Journey XR's shape, thanks to the continued efforts by our team here at Arasaka and the frame itself, we have been able to conceal all of the technology necessary for it to function within. It was our belief, following the pitfalls of Glass and other, similar designs released to the market since, that wearable technology must imitate wearable fashion. Think of it like this: When you think about Bluetooth headsets, they often conjure up images of late-2000s businessmen, while our own Horizon Pods do not. For that same reason, the Journey XR is meant to look like your average pair of acetate frames—the design is slim and classy, but there is nonetheless a clear separation between the aesthetic and tech parts of the glasses. The aesthetic part, in this case, lies in the front of the glasses and their molded acetate design. The tech, however, sits entirely in the temple stems, not conflicting with the overall visual appeal of the glasses. Put simply, while the 2013 Arasaka Glass looks like a prototype, the Journey XR Glasses concept looks just as classy as your average hipster frames.

Moreso than its looks, however, we have striven to perfect the marriage of technology within the device. Back when we released the initial model of Arasaka Glass in 2013, it wasn't really meant for public sale. It was a proof-of-concept of what we could achieve, but it had a rather small HUD crystal, a camera which was, compared to phones on the market then, less than exemplary, and lacking a consequential app ecosystem. While these were adjusted in the 2014 and 2015 models, these basic issues still remained. In the decade since Glass was initially released, however, our team at Arasaka has really beefed up our hardware and software chops. Our Horizon Tensor chip has been well-received by the public, ARCore has formed the core of our AR endeavors, and of course, the Kotae chip first introduced in the Horizon 7 continues to be the "secret sauce", so to speak, when it comes to gesture-based tech. All of these components have found their way into the Journey XR.

The tech in the glasses is generally confined to the temple stems. On the front of the stems sit cameras on each side (providing the parallax required to capture depth), along with the Kotae sensors that can detect and react to gestures (like swiping, tapping, spinning, pinching, etc.), while the digital elements are projected directly onto the Journey XR Glasses’ lenses via a projector built into the inside of the temple stem. This was an important part of the design, as it enables those with even the strongest prescription lenses to make use of our device. And not only does our new set of smart glasses include the same array of apps that could be found on the Arasaka Glass, it will be fully bluetooth enabled and come equipped with our Kaibyo AI assistant, making your life more and more convenient with each passing day. The Journey XR will cost 文699 and releases on the 15th of January.