Crucial for hypersonic missiles, DRDO tests Scramjet engine

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has carried out a ground test of a “cooled Scramjet engine” that is a crucial milestone in developing the next-generation hypersonic missiles.

This was the first such test of a Scramjet in India, the Ministry of Defence said. The Scramjet engine has been developed by the Defence Research & Development Laboratory (DRDL), a Hyderabad-based laboratory of the DRDO.

The Ministry of Defence said, “The indigenous development of endothermic Scramjet fuel, the first time in India, jointly by the DRDL and industry is central to this breakthrough.” The fuel offers dual benefits of significant cooling improvement and ease of ignition.

Another key achievement is the development of state-of-the-art thermal barrier coating (TBC), which is designed to withstand extreme temperatures encountered during a hypersonic flight. A new advanced ceramic TBC having high thermal resistance and capable of operating beyond melting point of steel has been jointly developed by the DRDL and Department of Science & Technology (DST) Laboratory.

“The breakthrough sets the stage for the next-generation hypersonic missiles,” the MoD said.

Hypersonic missiles are a class of advanced weaponry that travel at speeds greater than Mach 5 — five times the speed of sound or more than 5,400 kms per hour. These advanced weapons have the potential to bypass existing air defence systems of the enemy and deliver rapid and high-impact strikes.

Several countries, including the US, Russia, India and China, are pursuing hypersonic technology. The key to hypersonic vehicles is the Scramjet engines, which are capable of sustaining combustion at supersonic speeds. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh complimented the DRDO and industry for the successful Scramjet engine ground test.