The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully conducted a ground test of the active-cooled combustor of a scramjet engine for 120 seconds.
New Delhi: India has made significant progress in developing supersonic missiles, marking yet another milestone in the nation’s defense sector. The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully conducted a ground test of the active-cooled combustor of a scramjet engine for 120 seconds. It is important to note that this is the first time such a test has been conducted in the country. Hypersonic missiles travel at speeds more than five times the speed of sound, meaning they can fly faster than Mach 5.
All major powers across the globe are working relentlessly to develop these missiles because they can evade existing missile and air defense systems. What makes these missiles unique is their high speed, exceptional maneuverability, and ability to fly at low altitudes. DRDO’s lab, the Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL), recently conducted a ground test of the active-cooled scramjet combustor for 120 seconds.
A Step Forward in Hypersonic Technology
Defense Minister Rajnath Singh has congratulated DRDO for the achievement. “This milestone is a significant step in the development of next-generation hypersonic missiles,” Singh said. Meanwhile, a DRDO official mentioned, “The United States, Russia, China, and India are among the countries working on hypersonic technology.” The key to this technology lies in scramjet engines, which can sustain combustion at supersonic speeds without any moving parts.
The ground test showcased several remarkable achievements, such as successful ignition and stable combustion, indicating the potential for its use in hypersonic vehicles. An official gave an interesting analogy, stating, “Ignition in a scramjet engine is like ‘keeping a candle lit during a storm.”
This success was made possible through the joint development of an endothermic scramjet fuel by the Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL) and the industry.
