skip to main content

India tests scramjet combustor for hypersonic missiles

By Akhil Kadidal |

The Indian Ministry of Defence (MoD) regards the ground test of an active cooled scramjet combustor as being a milestone in its development of next-generation hypersonic missiles. (Defence Research and Development Organisation)

India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) said it tested a scramjet technology demonstrator that is applicable for the country's hypersonic missile programme.

In the ground test, an active cooled scramjet combustor developed by the DRDO's Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL) was ignited and operated continuously for 120 seconds, the Indian Ministry of Defence (MoD) said in a statement on 21 January.

According to the MoD, the test was the first of its kind in India. “The … ground test marks a crucial milestone in developing next-generation hypersonic missiles,” the MoD said. The ministry added that the test demonstrates the potential of the scramjet combustor “for operational use in hypersonic vehicles”.

It is unclear when the test was conducted. The DRDO declined to comment on the timing of the test to Janes.

The MoD, however, said the scramjet combustor achieved successful ignition and stable combustion. The scramjet combustor incorporated “an innovative flame stabilisation technique” that held a “continuous flame inside the combustor with air speed in excess of 1.5 km/s”, the ministry said.

The MoD describes achieving ignition in the scramjet engine as “keeping a candle lit in a hurricane”.

Janes understands that the ignition and stable combustion were achieved following the results of earlier experimentation by DRDL. According to the MoD, the lab conducted prior ground tests to study other “novel ignition and flame-holding techniques”. Project scientists also used computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation tools to predict and evaluate performance, the MoD added.

Looking to read the full article?

Gain unlimited access to Janes news and more...