Recently, DRDO successfully conducted a ground test of an Active Cooled Scramjet Subscale Combustor for over 1,000 seconds, marking a major step toward developing indigenous hypersonic cruise missiles.

About Hypersonic Technology

• Hypersonic vehicles travel at speeds greater than Mach 5, meaning they exceed 6,100 km/h, enabling rapid global reach and tactical superiority.

• Scramjet Engines: Supersonic Combustion Ramjet (Scramjet) engines enable sustained hypersonic flight by using atmospheric air, making the system lighter and more efficient than traditional rockets.
  • The Active Cooled Combustor technology uses advanced cooling techniques to endure extreme thermal loads during hypersonic flight, ensuring longer operational durations.
• Global Race in Hypersonic Systems: Nations like China, Russia, and the United States are actively developing hypersonic weapons, highlighting the strategic urgency for India to advance its own capabilities.
  

Significance of DRDO Achievement for India

• Breakthrough in Endurance Testing: DRDO’s successful 1,000-second ground test, a significant leap from previous 120-second tests, validates the endurance and reliability of hypersonic combustion systems for real-world applications.
• Foundation: The achievement provides a critical technological foundation for the future development of India’s indigenous hypersonic cruise missiles, enhancing both strategic deterrence and precision strike abilities.
  Self-Reliance: This milestone strengthens India’s Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative by reducing dependency on foreign technologies in crucial defence sectors and advancing high-end indigenous innovation.
• Strategic Relevance: By progressing towards operational hypersonic systems, India narrows the technology gap with global powers and improves its second-strike nuclear deterrence capabilities, crucial for maintaining strategic stability.

Subsonic, Supersonic and Hypersonic Cruise Missile

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