DRDO Achieves 1,000-Second Scramjet Combustor Test Breakthrough

The Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) of India reached a major breakthrough when they achieved prolonged successful testing of a scramjet combustor which lasted for more than 1,000 seconds on Friday. The laboratory performed the test at the Defense Research & Development Laboratory (DRDL) in Hyderabad which strengthened India's hypersonic technology sector through scramjet system development.

The defense ministry announced that the DRDL executed the "long-duration active cooled scramjet subscale combustor ground testing for more than 1,000 seconds at the newly built state-of-the-art Scramjet Connect Test Facility at Hyderabad." This achievement builds on a previous 120-second test in January, which the ministry described as a "crucial milestone in developing next-generation hypersonic missiles." The latest test signifies that "the system will soon be ready for full-scale flightworthy combustor testing," according to the ministry.

The development creates a stronger position for India to build hypersonic cruise missiles which operate at speeds above Mach 5 through air-breathing propulsion systems. According to the ministry, air-breathing propulsion with supersonic combustion serves as a vital element for maintaining extended cruise conditions. This confirmation strengthens both scramjet combustor design and advanced test facility development thus creating a strong base for India's Hypersonic Cruise Missile Development Programme.

According to ministry statements, success is attributed to the combined initiative between DRDO laboratories and industry partners as well as academic institutions, “This test validates the design of the long-duration scramjet combustor as well as the test facility. It is an outcome of an integrated effort put in by the DRDO labs along with industry and academia and paves a strong base for the nation's Hypersonic Cruise Missile Development Programme."

Defense Minister Rajnath Singh praised the DRDO, industry, and academic contributors, calling it a "remarkable achievement."