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{{Use British English|date=February 2018}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2022}}{{Italic title}}
{{Infobox automobile
{{Infobox automobile
| image = Bloodhound SSC project logo.PNG
| image = Bloodhound LSR logo.png
| caption =
| caption = Logo of the project and image of the vehicle
| manufacturer =
| manufacturer = Grafton LSR Ltd, [[Bristol]]
| aka =
| aka =
| production =
| production =
| assembly =
| assembly = UK Land Speed Record Centre, [[Berkeley, Gloucestershire]], England
| predecessor = [[ThrustSSC]]
| predecessor = [[ThrustSSC]]
| successor =
| successor =
| class = [[Land speed record]] vehicle
| class = [[Land speed record]] vehicle
| body_style =
| body_style =
| layout =
| layout =
| platform =
| platform =
| engine = [[Rolls-Royce plc|Rolls-Royce]] [[Eurojet EJ200]] [[afterburners|afterburning]] [[turbofan]] <br>[[The Falcon Project|Falcon]] [[High test peroxide|HTP]] [[hybrid rocket]]<br>[[Cosworth]] CA2010 [[Formula 1]] [[V8 engine|V8]] race engine ([[Auxiliary power unit|APU]])
| engine = [[Rolls-Royce plc|Rolls-Royce]] [[Eurojet EJ200]] [[afterburners|afterburning]] [[turbofan]]<!-- <br>[[Nammo]] [[High test peroxide|HTP]] [[monopropellant rocket]] NOT FITTED AS OF DECEMBER 2019 -->
| transmission =
| transmission =
| wheelbase =
| wheelbase = {{convert|8.9|m|ft|abbr=on}}
| length = {{convert|13.5|m|ft|abbr=on}}
| length = {{convert|12.9|m|ft|abbr=on}}
| width = {{convert|1.9|m|ft|abbr=on}}
| width = {{convert|2.5|m|ft|abbr=on}}
| height =
| height = {{convert|3.0|m|ft|abbr=on}}
| weight = {{convert|6422|kg|lb|abbr=on}} (fuelled)
| weight = {{convert|6422|kg|lb|abbr=on}} fuelled
| related =
| related =
| designer =
| designer =
| sp= uk
| sp = uk
}}
}}
'''''Bloodhound LSR''''', formerly '''''Bloodhound SSC''''', is a British land vehicle designed to travel at [[supersonic]] speeds with the intention of setting a new world [[land speed record]].<ref>[http://www.bloodhoundssc.com/news/noble-green-and-team-target-1000mph-record Noble, Green and Team Target 1,000MPH Record] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181010174225/http://www.bloodhoundssc.com/news/noble-green-and-team-target-1000mph-record |date=10 October 2018 }} Thursday, 23 October 2008</ref> The arrow-shaped car, under development since 2008, is powered by a [[jet engine]] and will be fitted with an additional [[rocket engine]].<ref name="2019-11-15_BBC"/> The initial goal is to exceed the current speed record of {{convert|763|mph|abbr=on}}, with the vehicle believed to be able to achieve up to {{convert|1000|mph|km/h|sigfig=4}}.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/7685049.stm|title=Supersonic car targets 1,000mph|publisher=BBC News|access-date=<!--2008-10-23-->2020-02-09|date=22 October 2008}}</ref><ref name="ars 24 Nov 2018">{{cite web |url=https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2018/11/bloodhound-ssc/ |title=Bloodhound SSC: How do you build a car capable of 1,000mph? |author=Jonathan M. Gitlin |date=<!--original URL 19 March 2014, updated URL retrieved 9 Feb 2020-->24 November 2018|publisher=Ars Technica |access-date=<!--20 March 2014-->9 February 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bloodhoundssc.com/project/facts-and-figures|title=Facts and Figures|website=The Bloodhound Project|date=June 2012|access-date=1 January 2015|archive-date=2 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150102175144/http://www.bloodhoundssc.com/project/facts-and-figures|url-status=dead}}</ref>


Driver [[Andy Green (RAF officer)|Andy Green]] will attempt to break his own record, set in 1997. The previous business behind Project Bloodhound went into [[Administration (law)|administration]] (bankruptcy) in late 2018. Entrepreneur Ian Warhurst bought the car to keep the project alive. A new company called Grafton LSR Ltd was formed to manage the project, which was renamed Bloodhound LSR and moved to [[SGS Berkeley Green UTC|SGS Berkeley Green University Technical College]]. Lack of funds and the COVID-19 pandemic stalled progress in 2020, and in 2021 the vehicle was offered for sale.
'''Bloodhound SSC''' is a [[supersonic]] car created by the international education initiative '''Bloodhound Project''' to attempt a 1,000&nbsp;mph world [[land speed record]]. The team aim to break the land speed record with the pencil-shaped car, powered by a [[jet engine]] and a [[rocket]] designed to reach {{convert|1000|mph|km/h|sigfig=4}} together with a [[Cosworth]] CA2010 [[Formula 1]] [[V8 engine|V8]] petrol engine [[auxiliary power unit]]. It is being developed and built with the intention of breaking the land speed record by 33%, the largest ever margin.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/7685049.stm|title=Supersonic car targets 1,000mph|work=BBC News|publisher=BBC|accessdate=2008-10-23 | date=22 October 2008}}</ref>


The venue for high speed testing and future world land speed record attempts is the [[Hakskeenpan|Hakskeen Pan]] in the [[Mier Local Municipality|Mier area]] of the [[Northern Cape]], South Africa. An area {{convert|12|mi|km}} long and {{convert|3|mi}} wide was identified as suitable, with the first runs in October 2019. Further runs in November 2019 achieved a top speed of {{Convert|628|mph|km/h|abbr=}}, the eighth vehicle to attain a land speed of over {{convert|600|mph|km/h|abbr=}}.
If £15 million of sponsorship funding is obtained the construction should be complete by the end of 2012 and the record attempts should take place in 2013 and 2014.<ref>''[[The Economist]]'', "[http://www.economist.com/node/18648370 The land-speed record: How to build a 1,000mph car]", 7 May 2011, p. 88.</ref> Bloodhound SSC will be tested on the Hakskeen Pan, Northern Cape, South Africa where a track 20 km long, 500 m wide has been cleared by a local workforce, employed by the Northern Cape Government.


==Development==
==Timeline==
The project was announced on 23 October 2008 at the [[Science Museum (London)|Science Museum]] in [[London]] by [[Paul Drayson, Baron Drayson|Lord Drayson]] - then Minister of Science in the UK's [[Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills]] - who in 2006 first proposed the project to [[Richard Noble]] and [[Andy Green]] (the two men, between them, have held the land speed record for 29 years).


=== Inception ===
Richard Noble, engineer, adventurer, and former paint salesman,<ref>{{cite book|last=Noble|first=Richard|title=Thrust|year=1999|publisher=Bantam Books|location=London|isbn=0-553-81208-4|page=26}}</ref> reached 633&nbsp;mph (1,019&nbsp;km/h) driving turbojet-powered car named [[Thrust2]] across the [[Nevada]] desert in 1983. In 1997, he headed the project to build the [[ThrustSSC]], driven by Andy Green, an [[RAF]] pilot, at {{convert|763|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on}}, thereby breaking the [[sound barrier]], a record first for a land vehicle (in compliance with [[Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile]] rules).
The Bloodhound project was announced on 23 October 2008 at the London [[Science Museum (London)|Science Museum]] by [[Paul Drayson, Baron Drayson|Lord Drayson]] – then Minister of Science in the UK's [[Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills]] – who first suggested the project in 2006 to [[land speed record]] holders [[Richard Noble]] and [[Andy Green (RAF officer)|Andy Green]], a pilot and [[Wing Commander (rank)|Wing Commander]] serving in the [[Royal Air Force|RAF]].<ref name=":3">{{Cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7685049.stm|title=Supersonic car targets 1,000mph|date=2008-10-22|publisher=BBC News: Science & Environment|access-date=2020-01-12|language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/3244185/Bloodhound-SSC-British-supercar-designed-to-break-world-land-speed-record-unveiled.html|title=Bloodhound SSC: British supercar designed to break world land speed record unveiled|last=Khan|first=Urmee|date=2008-10-23|work=The Telegraph|access-date=2020-01-12|language=en-GB|issn=0307-1235}}</ref> The two men, between them, have held the land speed record since 1983.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/news/60at60/2015/8/1997-land-speed-record-392880|title=1997: Land Speed Record|date=2015-08-18|website=Guinness World Records|language=en-GB|access-date=2020-01-12}}</ref>


In 1983, Noble, a self-described engineer and adventurer<ref>{{cite book|last=Noble|first=Richard|title=Thrust|year=1999|publisher=Bantam Books|location=London|isbn=978-0-553-81208-4|page=26}}</ref> reached 633&nbsp;mph (1,019&nbsp;km/h) driving a turbojet-powered car named [[Thrust2]] across the [[Nevada]] desert.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web|url=https://www.fia.com/fia-world-land-speed-records|title=FIA World Land Speed Records|date=2012-06-10|website=Federation Internationale de l'Automobile|language=en|access-date=2020-01-12}}</ref> In 1997, he headed the project to build [[ThrustSSC]], which was driven by Green at {{convert|763|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on}}, thereby breaking the [[sound barrier]], a first for a land vehicle (in compliance with [[Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile]] rules).<ref name=":4" /> Green is also Bloodhound LSR's driver.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bloodhoundlsr.com/frequently-asked-questions/|title=Frequently Asked Questions|website=Bloodhound|language=en-GB|access-date=2020-01-12}}</ref>
The task of driving the Bloodhound will fall to [[Wing Commander (rank)|Wing Commander]] Green, who will lie feet-first in the Bloodhound SSC. As the car accelerates from 0-{{convert|1000|mph|km/h|sigfig=4}} in 42 seconds, he will experience a force of approximately 2.5[[g-force|''g'']] (two-and-a-half times his body weight) and blood will rush to his head.


The Bloodhound project was named for the [[Bloodhound (missile)|Bristol Bloodhound]] surface-to-air missile, a project that Bloodhound Chief Aerodynamicist [[Ron Ayers]] had previously worked on.<ref name="english1">{{cite news |last1=English |first1=Andrew |title=The 1000 MPH Car Does Not Exist—Yet |url=https://www.popularmechanics.com/cars/a10209/the-1000-mph-car-does-not-exist-yet-16577046/ |access-date=12 December 2018 |publisher=Popular Mechanics |date=10 March 2014}}</ref>
To slow the vehicle, Green will deploy airbrakes at {{convert|800|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on}}, and subsequently parachutes at {{convert|600|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on}}, with disc brakes used below {{convert|250|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on}}. As he decelerates, experiencing forces of up to 3''g'', blood will drain to his feet, with a risk of driver [[G-LOC|blackout]]. To condition his body for these intense g-forces, he will practice in a stunt aircraft, flying upside-down over the British countryside.

The project was at first based in the former Maritime Heritage Centre on the [[Bristol]] harbourside, next to Brunel's {{SS|Great Britain}}. In 2013 the project relocated to a larger site in [[Avonmouth]].<ref name=":6">{{Cite web|url=https://www.insidermedia.com/news/south-west/90577-bloodhound-relocates-avonmouth|title=Bloodhound relocates in Avonmouth|last=Media|first=Insider|website=Insider Media Ltd|language=en|access-date=2020-01-12}}</ref> The head offices of the project moved to [[Didcot]], Oxfordshire in late 2015.<ref>{{cite web|title=1,000mph world record rocket car team moves into Oxfordshire headquarters|url=http://www.oxfordshireguardian.co.uk/1000mph-world-record-teams-oxfordshire-hq/|website=Oxfordshire Guardian|access-date=18 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180308233523/http://www.oxfordshireguardian.co.uk/1000mph-world-record-teams-oxfordshire-hq/|archive-date=8 March 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref>

=== 2017 tests ===
Runway testing of up to {{convert|200|mph|km/h}} took place on 26, 28 and 30 October 2017 at [[Newquay Airport]], Cornwall.<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://interestingengineering.com/bloodhound-ssc-reaches-210mph-in-its-first-public-test-before-1000mph-land-speed-record-attempt|title=Bloodhound SSC Reaches 210mph in Its First Public Test Before 1,000mph Land Speed Record Attempt|date=2017-10-28|website=interestingengineering.com|language=en-US|access-date=2020-01-12}}</ref>

===2018 change of ownership===
In May 2018, the team announced plans for high speed testing at {{cvt|500|-|600|mph|km/h}} in May 2019, and then a {{cvt|1000|mph|km/h}} run in 2020.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-44129708|title=Delay for Bloodhound high-speed trials|last=Amos|first=Jonathan|date=2018-05-16|access-date=2020-01-12|language=en-GB}}</ref> However, the company backing the project, Bloodhound Programme Ltd, went into administration (bankruptcy) in late 2018 leaving a funding gap of £25 million, which put the venture's future into question.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.topspeed.com/cars/car-news/bloodhound-ssc-to-make-first-speed-record-attempt-in-2019/|title=Bloodhound SSC to make first speed record attempt in 2019|date=16 May 2018 }}</ref><ref name="Amos">{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-45838994|title=1,000mph car hits financial roadblock|last=Amos|first=Jonathan|date=2018-10-15|publisher=BBC News|access-date=2018-10-15|language=en-GB}}</ref>

[[File:BLOODHOUND LSR 06.jpg|thumb|Bloodhound LSR at the launch event, SGS Berkeley Green UTC, 2019]]
The project was "axed" in December 2018, with plans to sell off the remaining assets.<ref name=BBC181207>{{cite news|publisher=BBC News|title=Bloodhound supersonic car project axed|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-bristol-46480342?intlink_from_url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/topics/c779dqq84njt/bloodhound-ssc&link_location=live-reporting-story|access-date=17 December 2018|date=7 December 2018}}</ref> Later that month, Yorkshire entrepreneur Ian Warhurst stepped in to rescue the project by buying the assets and intellectual property, including the car, for an undisclosed sum.<ref>{{cite news|publisher=BBC News|date=17 December 2018|title=Bloodhound supersonic car project saved|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-bristol-46591860|access-date=17 December 2018}}</ref><ref>[https://eandt.theiet.org/content/articles/2018/12/bloodhound-project-saved-from-administration-by-british-entrepreneur/ Bloodhound SSC project saved from administration by British entrepreneur] ''[[Engineering & Technology]]'', 17 December 2018. Retrieved 9 February 2020</ref>

===2019 tests===

In March 2019, it was announced that Warhurst had formed a new company called Grafton LSR Ltd. to manage the project, which became the car's legal owner. The company said in a statement that Warhurst was trying to save the project with new sponsors and partners.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bloodhoundlsr.com/revitalised-bloodhound-gets-new-livery-and-headquarters/|title=Revitalised Bloodhound gets new livery and headquarters|date=2019-03-20|website=Bloodhound|language=en-GB|access-date=2020-01-12}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://arstechnica.com/cars/2019/03/good-news-for-the-1000mph-car-as-bloodhound-gets-a-new-owner/|title=Good news for the 1,000mph car as Bloodhound gets a new owner|last=Gitlin|first=Jonathan M.|date=2019-03-24|website=Ars Technica|language=en-us|access-date=2019-03-24}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite web|url=https://www.bloodhoundlsr.com/bloodhound-history/|title=Bloodhound History|website=Bloodhound|language=en-GB|access-date=2020-01-12}}</ref>

The name of the new team became 'Bloodhound LSR' (for [[Land Speed Record]]). The car and the project's headquarters moved to SGS Berkeley Green University Technical College in [[Berkeley, Gloucestershire]] near [[Gloucester]].<ref name="2019-03-29_BBC">[https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-47735093 Bloodhound Diary: Back on track], [[Andy Green (RAF officer)|Andy Green]] (World Land Speed Record Holder), [[BBC News Online]], 2019-03-29</ref>

High speed testing of the car took place at the Hakskeen Pan in October and November 2019. Test runs driven by Green began on 25 October, using only a Rolls-Royce [[Eurojet EJ200]] engine, with an expectation of reaching {{cvt|400|-|500|mph|kph}}.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-50187798|title=Bloodhound takes first drive across the desert|last=Amos|first=Jonathan|date=2019-10-25|publisher=BBC News: Science|access-date=2019-10-27|language=en-GB}}</ref> The car achieved {{cvt|501|mph|kph}} on 6 November 2019,<ref>{{cite news|last=Marriage|first= Ollie|publisher=Top Gear|title=The Bloodhound LSR just hit 501mph|url=https://www.topgear.com/car-news/bloodhound-lsr-just-hit-501mph|date=6 November 2019|access-date=6 November 2019}}</ref> and a final top speed of {{cvt|628|mph}} on 16 November, making it the eighth vehicle to attain a land speed of over 600&nbsp;mph.<ref name="2019-11-15_BBC">{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-50438614|title=Bloodhound land speed racer blasts to 628mph|last1=Amos|first1=Jonathan|date=16 November 2019|publisher=BBC News: Science|access-date=16 November 2019}}</ref>

=== 2020–2022 ===
Lack of funds prevented the fitting of the Nammo rocket in 2020, and combined with the effects of the [[COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom|COVID-19 pandemic]], this meant the opportunity to run the vehicle in 2021 was lost. In January 2021, Warhurst said the vehicle was up for sale and it was reported that the team had moved on to other projects.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Speed|first=Richard|date=26 January 2021|title=One careful driver: Make room in the garage... Bloodhound jet-powered car is up for sale|url=https://www.theregister.com/2021/01/26/bloodhound_for_sale/|url-status=live|access-date=2021-02-19|website=The Register|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210126120736/https://www.theregister.com/2021/01/26/bloodhound_for_sale/ |archive-date=26 January 2021 }}</ref> Warhurst stepped aside as CEO in August 2021 and Stuart Edmondson, the project's Engineering Operations Manager for the previous five years, took over the role.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-08-20 |title=British Bloodhound land speed record project resurrected |url=https://www.driving.co.uk/news/british-bloodhound-land-speed-record-project-resurrected/ |access-date=2022-09-20 |website=Driving.co.uk from The Sunday Times |language=en-GB}}</ref> When interviewed in July 2022 Edmundson stated that, while on hold, the Bloodhound LSR project was "very much alive" and a new land speed record could be achieved very quickly if new investment could be secured. Edmundson also reported that the project had adopted a new environmental focus, with the aim of achieving a [[Net zero|net zero carbon]] land speed record.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-07-01 |title=Bloodhound SSC project still alive and now aiming for first carbon zero land speed record |url=https://www.driving.co.uk/news/bloodhound-lsr-project-still-alive-and-now-aiming-for-first-carbon-zero-land-speed-record/ |access-date=2022-09-20 |website=Driving.co.uk from The Sunday Times |language=en-GB}}</ref>

=== 2023 ===

On 8–14 November 2023, Edmonson led a roadshow to seek funding and a new driver for a potential record-setting campaign, estimated to cost between £8{{Nbsp}}million and £12{{Nbsp}}million.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-11-08 |title=Could you drive the Bloodhound LSR to more than 800mph? |url=https://www.magnetomagazine.com/could-you-drive-the-bloodhound-lsr-to-over-800mph/ |access-date=2023-11-20 |website=Magneto magazine |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-11-07 |title=The Bloodhound Land Speed Record team is looking for a new driver |url=https://www.driving.co.uk/news/the-bloodhound-land-speed-record-team-is-looking-for-a-new-driver/ |access-date=2023-11-20 |website=Driving.co.uk from The Sunday Times |language=en-GB}}</ref>

The vehicle resides at [[Coventry Transport Museum]].


==Design==
==Design==

The project is based in the former Maritime Heritage Centre on the [[Bristol]] harbourside, located next to Brunel's [[SS Great Britain]].
=== Car ===
The car was designed by Bloodhound's Chief Aerodynamicist Ron Ayers and Chief Engineer Mark Chapman, along with aerodynamicists from [[Swansea University]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.driving.co.uk/news/interview/motor-ron-ayers-supersonic-car-designer-behind-bloodhound-ssc/|title=Me and My Motor: Ron Ayers, the supersonic car designer behind Bloodhound SSC|date=2018-01-29|website=Sunday Times Driving|language=en-GB|access-date=2020-01-30}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theengineer.co.uk/mark-chapman-chief-engineer-bloodhound-ssc/|title=Mark Chapman – chief engineer, Bloodhound SSC|date=2010-04-18|website=The Engineer|language=en-US|access-date=2020-01-30}}</ref>

Bloodhound LSR is designed to accelerate from 0 to {{cvt|800|mph|km/h}} in 38 seconds and decelerate using airbrakes at around 800&nbsp;mph, a parachute at a maximum deployment speed of around {{cvt|650|mph|km/h}} and disc brakes below {{cvt|200|mph|km/h}}.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bloodhoundeducation.com/the-bloodhound-lsr-project/the-bloodhound-lsr-car/bloodhound-lsr-braking-systems/|title=Bloodhound LSR – Braking systems|date=2019-09-04|website=Bloodhound Education|language=en-GB|access-date=2020-01-30}}</ref> The force on the driver during acceleration would be 2.5&nbsp;g (two-and-a-half times their body weight) and up to 3&nbsp;g during deceleration.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://plus.maths.org/content/career-interview-fastest-mathematician-earth|title=Career interview: The fastest mathematician on Earth|date=2009-09-01|website=plus.maths.org|language=en|access-date=2020-01-30}}</ref>

===Aerodynamics===
===Aerodynamics===
The aerodynamics of Bloodhound have been carefully calculated to make sure the car is safe and stable, particularly because it will create a [[Shock wave|shockwave]] when it reaches the speed of sound.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.imeche.org/news/news-article/bloodhound-video-managing-the-aerodynamics-of-supersonic-shockwaves|title=Bloodhound video: Managing the aerodynamics of supersonic shockwaves|website=imeche.org|access-date=2020-01-30}}</ref>
The College of Engineering at [[Swansea University]] has been heavily involved in the aerodynamic shape of the vehicle from the start. Professor Oubay Hassan, Professor Ken Morgan and their team have used [[Computational Fluid Dynamics]] (CFD) to provide an understanding of the aerodynamic characteristics of the proposed shape, at all speeds, including predicting the likely vertical, lateral and drag forces on the vehicle and its pitch and yaw stability.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.swan.ac.uk/news_centre/LatestNews/Headline,28463,en.php|title=Swansea University help design BLOODHOUND SSC|publisher=Swansea University|accessdate=2008-10-23}} {{Dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref> This technology, originally developed for the aerospace industry, was validated for a land-going vehicle during the design of ThrustSSC. It was this involvement with the previous land speed record that prompted Richard Noble to approach Swansea in April 2007 for their help with this latest challenge. Swansea University's School of the Environment and Society was also enlisted to help determine a new test site for the record as the test site for the ThrustSSC record attempt has become unsuitable.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.bloodhoundssc.swan.ac.uk/geography/index.html|title=Swansea University Desert Selection Programme|publisher=Swansea University|accessdate=2008-10-23}}</ref>


The College of Engineering at Swansea University has been heavily involved in the aerodynamic shape of the vehicle from the start. Dr Ben Evans and his team used [[Computational Fluid Dynamics]] (CFD) technology designed by Professor Oubay Hassan and Professor Ken Morgan to provide an understanding of the aerodynamic characteristics of the proposed shape, at all speeds, including predicting the likely vertical, lateral and drag forces on the vehicle and its pitch and yaw stability.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Evans|first1=B.|last2=Morton|first2=T.|last3=Sheridan|first3=L.|last4=Hassan|first4=O.|last5=Morgan|first5=K.|last6=Jones|first6=J. W.|last7=Chapman|first7=M.|last8=Ayers|first8=R.|last9=Niven|first9=I.|date=2013-02-01|title=Design optimisation using computational fluid dynamics applied to a land–based supersonic vehicle, the BLOODHOUND SSC|url=https://doi.org/10.1007/s00158-012-0826-0|journal=Structural and Multidisciplinary Optimization|language=en|volume=47|issue=2|pages=301–316|doi=10.1007/s00158-012-0826-0|s2cid=253680425 |issn=1615-1488}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|last=Evans|first=Ben|date=2011|title=Computational Fluid Dynamics Applied to the Aerodynamic Design of a Land-Based Supersonic Vehicle|journal=Numerical Methods for Partial Differential Equations|volume=27|pages=141–159|doi=10.1002/num.20644|s2cid=56569633 |url=https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa6255}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Evans|first1=Ben|last2=Rose|first2=Chris|date=2014-04-09|title=Simulating the aerodynamic characteristics of the Land Speed Record vehicle BLOODHOUND SSC|journal=Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part D: Journal of Automobile Engineering|language=en|volume=228|issue=10|pages=1127–1141|doi=10.1177/0954407013511071|s2cid=55967643 |issn=0954-4070|url=https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa18080/Download/0018080-08022016092546.pdf}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.swan.ac.uk/news_centre/LatestNews/Headline,28463,en.php |title=Swansea University help design Bloodhound SSC |publisher=Swansea University |access-date=2008-10-23 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081029012058/http://www.swan.ac.uk/news_centre/LatestNews/Headline%2C28463%2Cen.php |archive-date=29 October 2008 }}</ref> This technology, originally developed for the aerospace industry, was validated for a land-going vehicle during the design of ThrustSSC.
===Engines===

A prototype [[Eurojet EJ200]] jet engine developed for the [[Eurofighter]] and bound for a museum, was donated to the project. This will take the car to {{convert|300|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on}}, after which a bespoke [[hybrid rocket]] designed by [[Daniel Jubb]] (nicknamed "Rocket Dan") will boost the car up to {{convert|1000|mph|km/h|sigfig=4}}. A third engine, a {{convert|750|hp|abbr=on}} 2.4 Litre [[Cosworth]] CA2010 [[Formula 1]] V8 petrol engine, is used as an [[auxiliary power unit]] and to drive the oxidiser pump for the rocket. The jet engine will provide nine tonnes of thrust and the rocket will add another 12. The supersonic car will have roughly the same power as 180 F1 cars.
===Propulsion===
Three prototype Eurojet EJ200 jet engines developed for the [[Eurofighter Typhoon|Eurofighter]] and bound for a museum were loaned to the project.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-22646346|title=Bloodhound diary: Rolls of advice|date=2013-05-24|access-date=2019-12-10|language=en-GB}}</ref> The car will use one EJ200 to provide around half the thrust and power the car to {{cvt|650|mph|km/h}}.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bloodhoundeducation.com/the-bloodhound-lsr-project/the-bloodhound-lsr-car/bloodhound-lsr-engines/|title=Bloodhound LSR – engines|date=2019-08-22|website=Bloodhound Education|language=en-GB|access-date=2019-12-10}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-41747995|title=First public runs for 1,000mph car|last=Amos|first=Jonathan|date=2017-10-26|publisher=BBC News: Science|access-date=2019-12-10|language=en-GB}}</ref> A custom monopropellant rocket designed by [[Nammo]] will be used to add extra thrust for the world land speed record runs. For the {{cvt|1000|mph|km/h}} runs, the monopropellant rocket will be replaced with a [[hybrid rocket]] from Nammo.<ref name=":1" /> A third engine, a [[Jaguar AJ-V8 engine#AJ-V8 Gen III|Jaguar supercharged V-8]] is used as an [[auxiliary power unit]] to drive the oxidiser pump for the rocket, although this will be replaced by an electric motor.<ref name=":1" />

[[File:Bloodhound LSR front.jpg|thumb|The cockpit exterior]]Initially Bloodhound SSC was going to use a custom hybrid rocket motor being designed by [[Daniel Jubb]]. The rocket was successfully tested at Newquay Airport in 2012.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-19818009|title=Rocket test roars over Newquay|last=Amos|first=Jonathan|date=2012-10-03|access-date=2019-12-10|language=en-GB}}</ref> However, constraints on cost, time and test facilities led to a decision to instead use a rocket designed by Norwegian company Nammo.<ref name=":5" />

At first the plan was that the car would use a Nammo hybrid rocket or cluster of rockets, to be fuelled by solid [[hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene]] and liquid [[high-test peroxide]] oxidiser.<ref name=":5">{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-25426419|title=1,000mph car to use Norwegian rocket|last=Amos|first=Jonathan|date=2013-12-19|access-date=2019-12-10|language=en-GB}}</ref> This plan was revised in 2017 and the car will use a [[monopropellant]] rocket for the land speed record runs.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.imeche.org/news/news-article/bloodhound-ssc-the-next-stage|title=James Clayton Lecture – BLOODHOUND SSC: the next stage. Interview with Richard Noble|website=imeche.org|access-date=2019-12-10}}</ref>

For the car to achieve {{cvt|800|mph|km/h}}, the monopropellant rocket would need to produce around 40&nbsp;kN (8992&nbsp;lbf) of thrust and the EJ200 jet engine 90&nbsp;kN (20,232&nbsp;lbf) in reheat.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bloodhoundssc.com/project/car/engines/rocket-engine |access-date=2020-02-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190223002623/http://www.bloodhoundssc.com/project/car/engines/rocket-engine|title=Rocket engine|work=The Bloodhound Project|archive-date=2019-02-23}}</ref> [[File:Bloodhound cockpit.jpg|alt=|thumb|Cockpit interior]]


===Wheels===
===Wheels===
For low-speed testing at Cornwall Airport Newquay in 2017, the car was fitted with four runway wheels based on those of an [[English Electric Lightning]] fighter jet with refurbished original tyres.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theregister.co.uk/2017/10/26/bloodhound_ssc_test_run_newquay/|title=The UK's super duper 1,000mph car is being tested in Cornwall|last=at 12:27|first=Gareth Corfield 26 October 2017|website=The Register|language=en|access-date=2019-12-13}}</ref> These were replaced for the high-speed test runs in the desert in South Africa in 2019 by four {{convert|90|cm|in|adj=on|abbr=}} diameter wheels weighing {{cvt|95|kg|lb}}, forged from an aircraft-grade aluminium zinc alloy.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-31845234|title=Supersonic car gets its superwheels|last=Amos|first=Jonathan|date=2015-03-14|access-date=2019-12-13|language=en-GB}}</ref> These were designed to spin at up to 10,200&nbsp;rpm and resist [[centrifugal force]]s of up to {{val|50000|u=[[g force|g]]}} at the rim.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bloodhoundlsr.com/finally-the-news-weve-all-been-waiting-for-bloodhound-is-going-to-the-desert-this-year/|title=Andy Green's Diary: Finally the news we've all been waiting for…... Bloodhound is going to the desert this year!|date=2019-08-01|website=Bloodhound|language=en-GB|access-date=2019-12-13}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2019/sep/30/bloodhound-car-aiming-for-land-speed-record-has-final-uk-tests|title=Bloodhound car aiming for land speed record has final UK tests|last=Morris|first=Steven|date=2019-09-30|work=The Guardian|access-date=2019-12-13|language=en-GB|issn=0261-3077}}</ref>
The four {{convert|36|in|mm|sing=on}} diameter wheels will rotate at up to 10,200 rpm and will be forged from solid [[aluminium]] to resist the 50,000 [[g force|g]] [[centrifugal force]]s.<ref>P Malone, Sunday Times 26 Oct 2008</ref>

==== Wheel bearings ====
Three [[Timken Company|Timken]] high-speed ([[Bearing (mechanical)#Speeds|DN]] around 1,000,000 at full speed) [[tapered roller bearing]]s support each wheel.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2 September 2009 |title=Timken to provide wheel bearing solution for 1,000 mph car |url=http://www.bloodhoundssc.com/news/timken-provide-wheel-bearing-solution-1000-mph-car |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170727200208/http://www.bloodhoundssc.com/news/timken-provide-wheel-bearing-solution-1000-mph-car |archive-date=2017-07-27 |access-date=2021-12-09 |website=Bloodhound SSC}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=17 October 2019 |title=Andy Green's Diary – September 2019 |url=https://www.bloodhoundlsr.com/andy-greens-diary-september-2019/ |access-date=2021-12-09 |website=Bloodhound LSR |language=en-GB}}</ref> When the car's mass increased to {{cvt|7,500|kg|lb}}, Timken recalculated bearing life to be 50 hours, or a 5000% [[Factor of safety|safety factor]] given the less than 1 hour run time.<ref>{{Cite news|date=2012-03-19|title=Bloodhound diary: Cockpit-centred view|language=en-GB|publisher=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-17429108|access-date=2021-12-09}}</ref>


==Construction==
==Construction==
The car was built at sites in Bristol and Avonmouth.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/bristol/8375365.stm|title=Supersonic Bloodhound car to be built in Bristol |publisher=BBC|access-date=2009-11-23 | date=23 November 2009}}</ref><ref name=":6" /> A full-scale model was unveiled at the 2010 [[Farnborough Airshow|Farnborough International Airshow]],<ref name="bbc news 20100729">{{cite news|last=Amos|first=Jonathan |title=Model of Bloodhound supersonic car unveiled|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-10679543|publisher=[[BBC News]]|access-date=19 July 2010|date=19 July 2010}}</ref> when it was announced that [[Hampson Industries]] would begin to build the rear chassis section of the car in the first quarter of 2011 and that a deal for the manufacture of the front of the car was due. The car was largely completed by October 2017 when full reheat static testing was undertaken with the jet engine at [[Cornwall Airport Newquay]] followed by low speed test runs.<ref name=":7">{{cite web | url=http://www.bloodhoundssc.com/newquay-2017/bloodhound-dynamic-testing-run-reports | title=BLOODHOUND Dynamic testing – Run reports| date=2017-10-16}}</ref>
[[File:Bloodhound 1000mph Land speed record project (1).jpg|thumb|Full scale model]]
Engineers produced the scale model which was exhibited at the launch, and will integrate the engineering behind the car into its curriculum, working with design team, led by Chief Engineer Mark Chapman. The car will be built at a site in Bristol.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/bristol/8375365.stm|title=Supersonic Bloodhound car to be built in Bristol |publisher=BBC|accessdate=2009-11-23 | date=23 November 2009}}</ref> The site will include an educational centre.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bloodhoundssc.com/education.cfm |title=Education|publisher=BLOODHOUND SSC|accessdate=2008-10-23 }}</ref> A full scale model was unveiled at the 2010 [[Farnborough Airshow|Farnborough International Airshow]],<ref name="bbc news 20100729">{{cite web|last=Amos|first=Jonathan |title=Model of Bloodhound supersonic car unveiled|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-10679543|work=[[BBC News]]|accessdate=19 July 2010|date=19 July 2010}}</ref> when it was announced that [[Hampson Industries]] would begin to build the rear chassis section of the car in the first quarter of 2011 and that a deal for the manufacture of the front of the car was due. Chief Engineer Mark Chapman says, "We aim to shake down the vehicle on a runway in the UK at the beginning of 2013."


Further construction was carried out before the project went into administration and the car was then completed at Berkeley before high speed testing.
==Education==

The Bloodhound Project is first and foremost an education project designed to inspire future generations to take up careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics ([[STEM fields|STEM]]) by showcasing these subjects in the most exciting way possible. The education programme covers all phases (ages) of education from primary through to secondary and further education, plus Bloodhound@University. Any school, teacher, youth group or home educated family in the world can register their details on the BLOODHOUND SSC website and download the free curriculum resource materials. Education institutions in the UK or South Africa can request a visit from a member of the Bloodhound education team or STEM Ambassador who will work alongside a teacher and deliver a presentation on the project. The Bloodhound education programme is also working with other STEM interventions and initiatives to ensure the Project reaches as many schools as possible. These include F1 in Schools (Bloodhound Class), the Smallpeice Trust, Primary Engineer, Science Made Simple and Young Engineers
== Testing locations ==
Early in the project, Swansea University's School of the Environment and Society was enlisted to help determine a new test site for the record runs because the test site for the ThrustSSC record attempt had become unsuitable.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bloodhoundssc.swan.ac.uk/geography/index.html|title=Swansea University Desert Selection Programme|publisher=Swansea University|access-date=2008-10-23|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081028115404/http://www.bloodhoundssc.swan.ac.uk/geography/index.html|archive-date=28 October 2008}}</ref> The venue chosen for high speed testing and for the land speed record runs was Hakskeen Pan in the Mier area of the Northern Cape, South Africa, on a track measuring {{convert|12|mi|km}} long. The local community cleared 16,500 tonnes of stones by hand from an area measuring 22 million square metres to create space for 20 tracks each 10 metres wide, as the car cannot run twice on the same strip of desert.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bloodhoundlsr.com/bloodhound-catches-the-scent-of-a-world-record-as-desert-spec-car-revealed-for-first-time/|title=Bloodhound catches the scent of a world record as desert spec car revealed for first time|date=2019-10-23|website=Bloodhound|language=en-GB|access-date=2020-01-30}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/cars/features/bloodhound-land-speed-record-team-announces-high-speed-tests/|title=Bloodhound land speed record team announces high-speed tests at site of 1,000mph attempt|last=Hudson|first=Paul|date=2019-07-16|work=The Telegraph|access-date=2020-01-30|language=en-GB|issn=0307-1235}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-37913750|title=Bloodhound Diary: Super-track for supercar|last=Green|first=Andy|date=2016-11-08|access-date=2020-01-12|language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.brandsouthafrica.com/south-africa-fast-facts/news-facts/bloodhound-080313|title=SA clears path for 1 000 mph rocket car|last=Mafika|date=2013-03-08|website=Brand South Africa|language=en-US|access-date=2020-01-12}}</ref>

Low speed runway testing of over {{cvt|200|mph|km/h}} occurred on 26, 28 and 30 October 2017 at Cornwall Airport Newquay.<ref name=":7" />

High speed testing at Hakskeen Pan began in October 2019. The car achieved {{cvt|628|mph|km/h}} on its final run on 16 November 2019.

==Education and STEM outreach==
The Bloodhound Project had an education component designed to inspire future generations to take up careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics ([[STEM fields|STEM]]) by showcasing these subjects and interacting with young people and students, in partnership with engineering companies including [[Rolls-Royce Holdings|Rolls-Royce]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Bloodhound Education|url=http://www.bloodhoundssc.com/education|access-date=4 September 2017|date=2012-03-02}}</ref> Bloodhound-related education activities are provided by Bloodhound Education Ltd, a standalone charity registered in 2016.<ref>{{EW charity|5081957|Bloodhound Education Ltd}}</ref> The charity's Bloodhound Education Centre is at SGS Berkeley Green UTC.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bloodhoundeducation.com/the-bloodhound-education-centre/|title=The Bloodhound Education Centre|date=2019-12-13|website=Bloodhound Education|language=en-GB|access-date=2020-01-30}}</ref>


==See also==
==See also==

* [[Aussie Invader 5R]]
* [[List of vehicle speed records]]
* [[List of vehicle speed records]]
* [[North American Eagle Project]]
* [[North American Eagle Project]]
* [[The Bullet Project]]


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist|2}}
{{Reflist}}


==External links==
==External links==
{{commons category|Bloodhound SSC}}
* {{Official website|http://www.bloodhoundssc.com/}}
* {{Official website|https://www.bloodhoundlsr.com/}}
* [http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-12552667 Andy Green's BLOODHOUND SSC diary for the BBC]
* [https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-12552667 Andy Green's Bloodhound SSC diary for the BBC]
* [http://www.bloodhoundssc.swan.ac.uk/ BLOODHOUND SSC at Swansea University]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20081027075635/http://www.bloodhoundssc.swan.ac.uk/ Bloodhound SSC at Swansea University]
* [http://www.protocol-national.co.uk/pn/aboutus/bloodhound.asp BLOODHOUND SSC at the AoC (Association of Colleges) 2010 Annual Conference]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20110310010159/http://www.protocol-national.co.uk/pn/aboutus/bloodhound.asp Bloodhound SSC at the AoC (Association of Colleges) 2010 Annual Conference]
* {{Cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7685049.stm|title=Supersonic car targets 1,000mph|last=Amos|first=Jonathan|date=22 October 2008|work=BBC NEWS - Science & Environment|publisher=BBC|accessdate=24 October 2008}}
* {{Cite news|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2008/oct/23/motoring-land-speed-record|title=Faster than a bullet - the 1,000mph car|last=Semple|first=Ian|date=23 October 2008|work=The Guardian|publisher=Guardian Newspapers|accessdate=23 October 2008}}
* {{Cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7685049.stm|title=Supersonic car targets 1,000mph|last=Amos|first=Jonathan|date=22 October 2008|publisher=BBC News – Science & Environment|access-date=24 October 2008}}
* {{Cite news|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/blog/2009/mar/19/bloodhound-ssc-land-speed-record|title=Unleash the Bloodhound: How to design a 1,000mph car|last=Piper|first=John|date=20 March 2009|work=The Guardian|publisher=Guardian Newspapers|accessdate=20 March 2009}}
* {{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2008/oct/23/motoring-land-speed-record|title=Faster than a bullet – the 1,000mph car|last=Semple|first=Ian|date=23 October 2008|work=The Guardian|access-date=23 October 2008}}
* {{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/science/blog/2009/mar/19/bloodhound-ssc-land-speed-record|title=Unleash the Bloodhound: How to design a 1,000mph car|last=Piper|first=John|date=20 March 2009|work=The Guardian|access-date=20 March 2009}}
* {{YouTube|id = 3CQOWYkJSzI|title = Bloodhound SSC 1000 mph rocket car, land speed record attempt (animation)}}
* {{YouTube|id = 2BhTNI0F_Xc|title = Bloodhound SSC vs Eurofighter Typhoon race (animation)}}


{{Thrust project}}
{{Thrust project}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2010}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Bloodhound Ssc}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Bloodhound Ssc}}

Latest revision as of 16:01, 6 January 2025

Bloodhound LSR
Overview
ManufacturerGrafton LSR Ltd, Bristol
AssemblyUK Land Speed Record Centre, Berkeley, Gloucestershire, England
Body and chassis
ClassLand speed record vehicle
Powertrain
EngineRolls-Royce Eurojet EJ200 afterburning turbofan
Dimensions
Wheelbase8.9 m (29 ft)
Length12.9 m (42 ft)
Width2.5 m (8.2 ft)
Height3.0 m (9.8 ft)
Kerb weight6,422 kg (14,158 lb) fuelled
Chronology
PredecessorThrustSSC

Bloodhound LSR, formerly Bloodhound SSC, is a British land vehicle designed to travel at supersonic speeds with the intention of setting a new world land speed record.[1] The arrow-shaped car, under development since 2008, is powered by a jet engine and will be fitted with an additional rocket engine.[2] The initial goal is to exceed the current speed record of 763 mph (1,228 km/h), with the vehicle believed to be able to achieve up to 1,000 miles per hour (1,609 km/h).[3][4][5]

Driver Andy Green will attempt to break his own record, set in 1997. The previous business behind Project Bloodhound went into administration (bankruptcy) in late 2018. Entrepreneur Ian Warhurst bought the car to keep the project alive. A new company called Grafton LSR Ltd was formed to manage the project, which was renamed Bloodhound LSR and moved to SGS Berkeley Green University Technical College. Lack of funds and the COVID-19 pandemic stalled progress in 2020, and in 2021 the vehicle was offered for sale.

The venue for high speed testing and future world land speed record attempts is the Hakskeen Pan in the Mier area of the Northern Cape, South Africa. An area 12 miles (19 km) long and 3 miles (4.8 km) wide was identified as suitable, with the first runs in October 2019. Further runs in November 2019 achieved a top speed of 628 miles per hour (1,011 km/h), the eighth vehicle to attain a land speed of over 600 miles per hour (970 km/h).

Timeline

[edit]

Inception

[edit]

The Bloodhound project was announced on 23 October 2008 at the London Science Museum by Lord Drayson – then Minister of Science in the UK's Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills – who first suggested the project in 2006 to land speed record holders Richard Noble and Andy Green, a pilot and Wing Commander serving in the RAF.[6][7] The two men, between them, have held the land speed record since 1983.[8]

In 1983, Noble, a self-described engineer and adventurer[9] reached 633 mph (1,019 km/h) driving a turbojet-powered car named Thrust2 across the Nevada desert.[10] In 1997, he headed the project to build ThrustSSC, which was driven by Green at 763 mph (1,228 km/h), thereby breaking the sound barrier, a first for a land vehicle (in compliance with Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile rules).[10] Green is also Bloodhound LSR's driver.[11]

The Bloodhound project was named for the Bristol Bloodhound surface-to-air missile, a project that Bloodhound Chief Aerodynamicist Ron Ayers had previously worked on.[12]

The project was at first based in the former Maritime Heritage Centre on the Bristol harbourside, next to Brunel's SS Great Britain. In 2013 the project relocated to a larger site in Avonmouth.[13] The head offices of the project moved to Didcot, Oxfordshire in late 2015.[14]

2017 tests

[edit]

Runway testing of up to 200 miles per hour (320 km/h) took place on 26, 28 and 30 October 2017 at Newquay Airport, Cornwall.[15][16]

2018 change of ownership

[edit]

In May 2018, the team announced plans for high speed testing at 500–600 mph (800–970 km/h) in May 2019, and then a 1,000 mph (1,600 km/h) run in 2020.[17] However, the company backing the project, Bloodhound Programme Ltd, went into administration (bankruptcy) in late 2018 leaving a funding gap of £25 million, which put the venture's future into question.[18][19]

Bloodhound LSR at the launch event, SGS Berkeley Green UTC, 2019

The project was "axed" in December 2018, with plans to sell off the remaining assets.[20] Later that month, Yorkshire entrepreneur Ian Warhurst stepped in to rescue the project by buying the assets and intellectual property, including the car, for an undisclosed sum.[21][22]

2019 tests

[edit]

In March 2019, it was announced that Warhurst had formed a new company called Grafton LSR Ltd. to manage the project, which became the car's legal owner. The company said in a statement that Warhurst was trying to save the project with new sponsors and partners.[23][24][25]

The name of the new team became 'Bloodhound LSR' (for Land Speed Record). The car and the project's headquarters moved to SGS Berkeley Green University Technical College in Berkeley, Gloucestershire near Gloucester.[26]

High speed testing of the car took place at the Hakskeen Pan in October and November 2019. Test runs driven by Green began on 25 October, using only a Rolls-Royce Eurojet EJ200 engine, with an expectation of reaching 400–500 mph (640–800 km/h).[27] The car achieved 501 mph (806 km/h) on 6 November 2019,[28] and a final top speed of 628 mph (1,011 km/h) on 16 November, making it the eighth vehicle to attain a land speed of over 600 mph.[2]

2020–2022

[edit]

Lack of funds prevented the fitting of the Nammo rocket in 2020, and combined with the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, this meant the opportunity to run the vehicle in 2021 was lost. In January 2021, Warhurst said the vehicle was up for sale and it was reported that the team had moved on to other projects.[29] Warhurst stepped aside as CEO in August 2021 and Stuart Edmondson, the project's Engineering Operations Manager for the previous five years, took over the role.[30] When interviewed in July 2022 Edmundson stated that, while on hold, the Bloodhound LSR project was "very much alive" and a new land speed record could be achieved very quickly if new investment could be secured. Edmundson also reported that the project had adopted a new environmental focus, with the aim of achieving a net zero carbon land speed record.[31]

2023

[edit]

On 8–14 November 2023, Edmonson led a roadshow to seek funding and a new driver for a potential record-setting campaign, estimated to cost between £8 million and £12 million.[32][33]

The vehicle resides at Coventry Transport Museum.

Design

[edit]

Car

[edit]

The car was designed by Bloodhound's Chief Aerodynamicist Ron Ayers and Chief Engineer Mark Chapman, along with aerodynamicists from Swansea University.[34][35]

Bloodhound LSR is designed to accelerate from 0 to 800 mph (1,300 km/h) in 38 seconds and decelerate using airbrakes at around 800 mph, a parachute at a maximum deployment speed of around 650 mph (1,050 km/h) and disc brakes below 200 mph (320 km/h).[36] The force on the driver during acceleration would be 2.5 g (two-and-a-half times their body weight) and up to 3 g during deceleration.[37]

Aerodynamics

[edit]

The aerodynamics of Bloodhound have been carefully calculated to make sure the car is safe and stable, particularly because it will create a shockwave when it reaches the speed of sound.[38]

The College of Engineering at Swansea University has been heavily involved in the aerodynamic shape of the vehicle from the start. Dr Ben Evans and his team used Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) technology designed by Professor Oubay Hassan and Professor Ken Morgan to provide an understanding of the aerodynamic characteristics of the proposed shape, at all speeds, including predicting the likely vertical, lateral and drag forces on the vehicle and its pitch and yaw stability.[39][40][41][42] This technology, originally developed for the aerospace industry, was validated for a land-going vehicle during the design of ThrustSSC.

Propulsion

[edit]

Three prototype Eurojet EJ200 jet engines developed for the Eurofighter and bound for a museum were loaned to the project.[43] The car will use one EJ200 to provide around half the thrust and power the car to 650 mph (1,050 km/h).[44][15] A custom monopropellant rocket designed by Nammo will be used to add extra thrust for the world land speed record runs. For the 1,000 mph (1,600 km/h) runs, the monopropellant rocket will be replaced with a hybrid rocket from Nammo.[15] A third engine, a Jaguar supercharged V-8 is used as an auxiliary power unit to drive the oxidiser pump for the rocket, although this will be replaced by an electric motor.[15]

The cockpit exterior

Initially Bloodhound SSC was going to use a custom hybrid rocket motor being designed by Daniel Jubb. The rocket was successfully tested at Newquay Airport in 2012.[45] However, constraints on cost, time and test facilities led to a decision to instead use a rocket designed by Norwegian company Nammo.[46]

At first the plan was that the car would use a Nammo hybrid rocket or cluster of rockets, to be fuelled by solid hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene and liquid high-test peroxide oxidiser.[46] This plan was revised in 2017 and the car will use a monopropellant rocket for the land speed record runs.[47]

For the car to achieve 800 mph (1,300 km/h), the monopropellant rocket would need to produce around 40 kN (8992 lbf) of thrust and the EJ200 jet engine 90 kN (20,232 lbf) in reheat.[48]

Cockpit interior

Wheels

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For low-speed testing at Cornwall Airport Newquay in 2017, the car was fitted with four runway wheels based on those of an English Electric Lightning fighter jet with refurbished original tyres.[49] These were replaced for the high-speed test runs in the desert in South Africa in 2019 by four 90-centimetre (35 in) diameter wheels weighing 95 kg (209 lb), forged from an aircraft-grade aluminium zinc alloy.[50] These were designed to spin at up to 10,200 rpm and resist centrifugal forces of up to 50000 g at the rim.[51][52]

Wheel bearings

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Three Timken high-speed (DN around 1,000,000 at full speed) tapered roller bearings support each wheel.[53][54] When the car's mass increased to 7,500 kg (16,500 lb), Timken recalculated bearing life to be 50 hours, or a 5000% safety factor given the less than 1 hour run time.[55]

Construction

[edit]

The car was built at sites in Bristol and Avonmouth.[56][13] A full-scale model was unveiled at the 2010 Farnborough International Airshow,[57] when it was announced that Hampson Industries would begin to build the rear chassis section of the car in the first quarter of 2011 and that a deal for the manufacture of the front of the car was due. The car was largely completed by October 2017 when full reheat static testing was undertaken with the jet engine at Cornwall Airport Newquay followed by low speed test runs.[58]

Further construction was carried out before the project went into administration and the car was then completed at Berkeley before high speed testing.

Testing locations

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Early in the project, Swansea University's School of the Environment and Society was enlisted to help determine a new test site for the record runs because the test site for the ThrustSSC record attempt had become unsuitable.[59] The venue chosen for high speed testing and for the land speed record runs was Hakskeen Pan in the Mier area of the Northern Cape, South Africa, on a track measuring 12 miles (19 km) long. The local community cleared 16,500 tonnes of stones by hand from an area measuring 22 million square metres to create space for 20 tracks each 10 metres wide, as the car cannot run twice on the same strip of desert.[60][61][62][63]

Low speed runway testing of over 200 mph (320 km/h) occurred on 26, 28 and 30 October 2017 at Cornwall Airport Newquay.[58]

High speed testing at Hakskeen Pan began in October 2019. The car achieved 628 mph (1,011 km/h) on its final run on 16 November 2019.

Education and STEM outreach

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The Bloodhound Project had an education component designed to inspire future generations to take up careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) by showcasing these subjects and interacting with young people and students, in partnership with engineering companies including Rolls-Royce.[64] Bloodhound-related education activities are provided by Bloodhound Education Ltd, a standalone charity registered in 2016.[65] The charity's Bloodhound Education Centre is at SGS Berkeley Green UTC.[66]

See also

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References

[edit]
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  2. ^ a b Amos, Jonathan (16 November 2019). "Bloodhound land speed racer blasts to 628mph". BBC News: Science. Retrieved 16 November 2019.
  3. ^ "Supersonic car targets 1,000mph". BBC News. 22 October 2008. Retrieved 9 February 2020.
  4. ^ Jonathan M. Gitlin (24 November 2018). "Bloodhound SSC: How do you build a car capable of 1,000mph?". Ars Technica. Retrieved 9 February 2020.
  5. ^ "Facts and Figures". The Bloodhound Project. June 2012. Archived from the original on 2 January 2015. Retrieved 1 January 2015.
  6. ^ "Supersonic car targets 1,000mph". BBC News: Science & Environment. 22 October 2008. Retrieved 12 January 2020.
  7. ^ Khan, Urmee (23 October 2008). "Bloodhound SSC: British supercar designed to break world land speed record unveiled". The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 12 January 2020.
  8. ^ "1997: Land Speed Record". Guinness World Records. 18 August 2015. Retrieved 12 January 2020.
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  16. ^ "Bloodhound SSC Reaches 210mph in Its First Public Test Before 1,000mph Land Speed Record Attempt". interestingengineering.com. 28 October 2017. Retrieved 12 January 2020.
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  66. ^ "The Bloodhound Education Centre". Bloodhound Education. 13 December 2019. Retrieved 30 January 2020.
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