William H. Avery (engineer) - Ramjets

Ramjets

Avery moved to Johns Hopkins University in 1947 and soon became head of propulsion research at the Applied Physics Laboratory. Over the next several decades, his research laid the foundation for understanding combustion in rocket and jet engines. His group invented the propulsion system for Talos, the first surface-to-air missile to use a ramjet engine.

While at the Applied Physics Laboratory, Avery mentored Frederick S. Billig, the scramjet pioneer.