DAMAGER is a research project funded by the European Commission under the framework of the European Defence Fund (EDF).

The project addresses the growing need for propulsion solutions that combine high performance, low production cost, rapid manufacturability, improved fuel efficiency, reduced infrared signature, and enhanced fuel flexibility. This need is driven by the emergence of both small-scale drone swarms and larger UAV platforms operating autonomously or in cooperation with manned aircraft, where mass, affordability, and operational adaptability are critical.

To answer these challenges, DAMAGER investigates four key enabling technology areas:

• Thermodynamic cycle innovations to improve fuel efficiency and reduce specific fuel consumption
• Advanced additive manufacturing materials and processes to reduce production cost and lead time
• Innovative nozzle designs to minimize infrared signature and improve survivability
• Advanced combustion and injection concepts to enable efficient fuel-flexible operation

These technologies are assessed through a combination of numerical modelling and experimental testing on turbojet components. The objective is to de-risk future exploitation, validate the proposed concepts, and generate a valuable experimental database to support future design activities and model validation.