The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has achieved a significant milestone with the successful ground test of a scramjet combustor, paving the way for its use in hypersonic missiles. This test, conducted by DRDO’s Defence Research & Development Laboratory (DRDL) in Hyderabad, demonstrates the potential for operational hypersonic technology.
The scramjet combustor was tested for 120 seconds, marking the first time such a test has been conducted in India. The successful test showcased key achievements, including stable combustion and ignition, which are critical for the development of next-generation hypersonic weapons.
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Hypersonic missiles, capable of speeds greater than Mach 5 (over 5,400 km/h), have the potential to bypass current air defense systems, delivering rapid and high-impact strikes. Countries like the US, Russia, India, and China are heavily investing in hypersonic technology.
The scramjet engine, which operates without moving parts, is key to hypersonic vehicles. The combustor uses an innovative flame stabilization technique to maintain continuous combustion even at speeds exceeding 1.5 km per second.
Advanced Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulation tools were used to evaluate and predict the combustor’s performance.
A major breakthrough in this development is the indigenous creation of endothermic scramjet fuel. Developed jointly by DRDL and industry partners, this fuel improves cooling efficiency and simplifies ignition, meeting stringent requirements at an industrial scale.
This achievement marks a crucial step forward in India’s pursuit of hypersonic missile technology, with the DRDO’s continued innovations likely to play a significant role in future defense capabilities.
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