It appears that the Russians have made a significant advance in pulse-detonation engines (PDE).
A PDE is similar in concept to the pulse jet that powered the V1.
The differences are as follows:
- No Moving Parts (pulse jets have shutters)
- The flame front propogates through detonation as opposed to detonation (it’s a supersonic shock)
- It promises higher efficiencies that existing propulsion.
- It can operate from a stand still.
Here is the cycle for the engine: