The Bloodhound project is a World Land Speed Record attempt that hopes to attract young students to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics by involving them in building a car capable of a top speed of 1,610km/h (1,000mph). In the UK, the project has attracted over 3,000 schools, colleges, universities and other education centres to sign up to the Bloodhound Education Programme, allowing access to the unique research and development programme. An independent study concluded that the Bloodhound Education Programme provides an exciting platform to get children of both sexes interested in science and engineering.
The Bloodhound SSC replica show car made its world debut at the recent Farnborough International Airshow. The 1:1 replica is the result of three years of aerodynamic study and ten design evolutions conducted by Swansea University. Millions of mathematical equations to investigate how the air around the car will react as the car accelerates to its maximum design speed of 1,690km/h (1,050mph) were calculated by the aerodynamic team, under the guise of team leader, Ron Ayers. The results of these calculations helped the team to design an efficient shape that should be stable at supersonic speeds. The show car is made from polystyrene blocks, fibreglass and resin and painted with six coats of aerospace paint. It weighs 950kg and can be separated into three sections for road transportation.
Dave Rowley, Education Director with the Bloodhound Education Programme said: "The Farnborough International Airshow provides us with an amazing opportunity to show young people, their teachers and the world's leading aerospace companies how the Bloodhound Engineering Adventure has started to influence so many pupils in a very short period of time."
The Farnborough International Airshow also showcased the Bloodhound Driving Experience for the first time. The simulator allows enthusiasts to get behind the wheel of the racing car while delivering graphics representing life at 1,000mph. It was developed with the aid of project IT partner, Intel, University of Southampton, Cursive Simulation, The Race Centre, the University of the West of England Bristol (UWE) and Escape Studios.
The Eurofighter Typhoon jet engine that will be used during the land speed record attempts in a desert in 2012 weights 1.5 tonnes and produces a combined thrust of 212kN (47,500 lb) – the equivalent of 180 F1 cars. The car will accelerate from 0-1,000mph in 42 seconds.