The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has successfully completed a 120-second ground test of an active-cooled scramjet combustor, a significant milestone for India. This accomplishment marks the nation's first successful trial of such technology, indicating the potential for the use of long-duration hypersonic technologies in the future.

Hypersonic missiles, capable of speeds exceeding Mach 5 (over 5,400 km/h), are set to revolutionise modern warfare for India. Their ability to bypass air defence systems and deliver powerful strikes has prompted global powers, including the United States, Russia, China, and India, to intensify their research into hypersonic technology.

A scramjet engine, which is a type of supersonic combustion ramjet, forms the core of hypersonic systems. It maintains combustion at extreme speeds without the need for moving parts. The DRDO's ground test achieved crucial milestones, such as successful ignition and stable combustion, both essential for developing operational hypersonic vehicles.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh praised DRDO and its collaborators, calling the achievement a "crucial step towards self-reliance in hypersonic missions."

Dr Samir V. Kamat, Chairman of DRDO, also lauded the DRDL team for their innovation and commitment to enhancing India's defence capabilities.

The success of the scramjet test can be attributed to several key factors:

1.      Flame Stabilisation: DRDO developed methods to ensure continuous combustion at speeds over 1.5 km/s, a task often likened to "keeping a candle lit in a hurricane."

2.      Advanced Simulations: The engine's design went through Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations, which helped predict and fine-tune its performance.

3.      Indigenous Scramjet Fuel: In collaboration with industry partners, DRDO created India's first endothermic scramjet fuel. This advanced fuel facilitates ignition, improves cooling, and meets the demands for large-scale industrial use.

The Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL), located in Hyderabad and part of the Defence Research and Development Organisation, collaborated with the Department of Science and Technology (DST) to develop a high-performance Thermal Barrier Coating (TBC). This coating is designed to withstand temperatures higher than the melting point of steel.

The ceramic TBC is applied inside the scramjet engine through advanced deposition techniques, ensuring the engine's durability and reliable performance even in extreme conditions.