Defence Research & Development Laboratory (DRDL), a Hyderabad-based laboratory of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), has achieved a significant milestone in the field of Hypersonic Weapon Technology.
DRDO Achieves Milestone in Scramjet Engine Development
DRDL Achieves Major Milestone in Hypersonic Weapon Technology with 1000-Second Supersonic Combustion Test
Hyderabad | April 25, 2025
Defence Research & Development Laboratory (DRDL), a Hyderabad-based laboratory under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), has reached a significant milestone in the field of Hypersonic Weapon Technology. On April 25, 2025, DRDL successfully conducted a long-duration ground test of an Active Cooled Scramjet Subscale Combustor for more than 1,000 seconds at the newly established Scramjet Connect Test Facility in Hyderabad.
This test follows an earlier trial conducted in January 2025, where the combustor was tested for 120 seconds. The latest achievement paves the way for full-scale flight-worthy combustor testing, marking a major advancement in India’s Hypersonic Cruise Missile Programme.
About the Hypersonic Cruise Missile Technology
- Hypersonic Cruise Missiles can travel at speeds greater than Mach 5 (over 6100 km/h) for extended periods.
- These missiles are powered by air-breathing engines using supersonic combustion (scramjets), which are essential for sustained high-speed flight.
- The test successfully validated both the design of the long-duration scramjet combustor and the capabilities of the new test facility.
Collaborative Effort and Future Prospects
The test is the result of a collaborative effort involving multiple DRDO laboratories, Indian industries, and academia. This integrated approach highlights India’s growing capability in cutting-edge defence technologies and establishes a strong foundation for the country’s Hypersonic Cruise Missile Development Programme.
Leadership Acknowledgements
Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh commended DRDO, industry partners, and academic collaborators for this remarkable achievement. He described the success as a testament to the Government’s strong commitment to realising critical hypersonic weapon capabilities for national security.
Dr. Samir V Kamat, Secretary of the Department of Defence R&D and Chairman of DRDO, congratulated:
- Shri U Raja Babu, Director General (Missiles & Strategic Systems)
- Dr. GA Srinivasa Murthy, Director, DRDL
- And the entire team involved in the project, for demonstrating sustained supersonic combustion for over 1,000 seconds using advanced indigenous technologies.
