Context:
The Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL), a DRDO unit, conducted a long-duration ground test of an Active Cooled Scramjet Subscale Combustor at the newly established Scramjet Connect Test Facility in Hyderabad. The combustor sustained operation for over 1,000 seconds, marking a major achievement in India’s hypersonic propulsion programme.
Key Highlights
- Progress from Earlier Tests:
- This follows a successful 120-second test held in January 2025, demonstrating significant scaling up in duration and system reliability.
- Importance of Scramjet Technology:
- Scramjets, or Supersonic Combustion Ramjets, enable combustion at supersonic airflow speeds without moving parts, essential for powering hypersonic cruise missiles capable of traveling at over Mach 5 (6,100 km/h).
- Facility and Infrastructure:
- The test was carried out at DRDO’s new, state-of-the-art Scramjet Connect Test Facility, purpose-built for high-speed, high-temperature testing of air-breathing propulsion systems.
Strategic and Technical Implications
- Validation and Readiness:
- The successful long-duration test validates both the combustor’s design and the functionality of the new testing infrastructure, paving the way for full-scale flight-worthy combustor trials.
- Collaborative Achievement:
- The accomplishment reflects integrated efforts across DRDO laboratories, Indian industries, and academic institutions, strengthening India’s indigenous hypersonic technology capabilities.
- Future Roadmap:
- The next phase will focus on flight-testing complete hypersonic cruise missile prototypes, bringing India closer to joining an elite group of nations with operational hypersonic weapon systems.
Sonic, Supersonic and Hypersonic Missiles
The main difference between hypersonic, supersonic, and sonic missiles lies in their speed. Sonic missiles travel at the speed of sound (Mach 1), while supersonic missiles travel faster than the speed of sound (Mach 1 and above), and hypersonic missiles travel at speeds five times faster than the speed of sound (Mach 5 and above).
Sonic Missiles
- Speed: Travel at the speed of sound, which is approximately 767 miles per hour (1,235 km/h) at sea level.
- Characteristics: Usually subsonic, meaning they travel slower than the speed of sound.
Supersonic Missiles
- Speed: Travel faster than the speed of sound (Mach 1).
- Characteristics: Most travel at speeds between Mach 2 and Mach 3, which is up to 2,300 mph.
- Examples: The BrahMos missile is a well-known supersonic missile.
Hypersonic Missiles
- Speed: Travel at speeds exceeding five times the speed of sound (Mach 5).
- Characteristics: These missiles are capable of sustained flight at hypersonic speeds, often using air-breathing engines like scramjets.
- Maneuverability: Hypersonic missiles are often designed to maneuver mid-flight, making them more difficult to intercept.
This successful long-duration test is a foundational leap for India’s hypersonic cruise missile programme, showcasing readiness for full-scale systems development and reinforcing India’s strategic defence capabilities.
