World land speed record holder Andy Green drove a Jaguar F-Type R Coupé at a top speed of 186 mph (299 km/h) to test Bloodhound SSC’s parachute deployment system.
The test was part of Jaguar’s technical partnership in the world land speed record attempt, following a high-speed communications test run in South Africa in 2014.
Jaguar will also provide its 5.0-liter 550PS (542hp) supercharged V8 engine to power the oxidiser pump for the Bloodhound SSC’s rocket.
The jet and rocket powered car, which aims to break the current record of 763.035 mph (1227.99 km/h) before targeting 1000 mph (1609.34 km/h), has multiple braking systems including air-brakes (“doors” mounted on the side of the car which open to increase aerodynamic drag) and disc brakes (used when slowing down from 200 mph).
Additionally, the driver has two back-up parachutes to ensure that the 135,000 thp (thrust horse power) vehicle will slow down before the end of its 12-mile (19.3-km) track in Hakskeen Pan, South Africa.
To test the system ahead of the car’s first run, Jaguar used an F-Type R Coupé with a modified rear window and structural supports through which Bloodhound’s teardrop shaped parachute cans were mounted directly to the car’s chassis. The test took place at the former RAF base in Bentwaters, Suffolk.
“Being able to validate the parachute systems in a safe and controlled manner using a high performance Jaguar F-Type sports car gives great confidence to both me and Bloodhound’s Engineering Team,” said Andy Green. Check out the following video to see how the test went.
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