DRDO Successfully Conducts Scramjet Engine Ground Test

January 23, 2025

GS Paper III Science and Technology

DRDO Successfully Conducts Scramjet Engine Ground Test

Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL), a Hyderabad-based DRDO facility, conducted the first successful scramjet combustor ground test.

Significance of the Test Conducted

This marks a significant milestone in developing hypersonic missiles powered by scramjet engines.
The test showcased key achievements, such as successful ignition and stable combustion.

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Scramjet Technology Development

Developed by: Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL), Hyderabad.
Focus: Long-duration supersonic combustion ramjet (scramjet) technology.
Technology Highlights:
- Enables hypersonic speeds (greater than Mach 5).
- Outperforms traditional air defense systems, making it harder to intercept.
Global Context:
- Nations like the US, Russia, China, and India are in a global race to develop hypersonic weapons.
- Hypersonic missiles deliver rapid and high-impact strikes while evading current air defense systems.

Indigenous Development

Endothermic Scramjet Fuel: Developed indigenously by DRDL in collaboration with industry partners.
- Provides dual benefits:
  - Significant cooling improvement.
  - Ease of ignition.
Thermal Barrier Coating (TBC): Developed using advanced ceramic technology to withstand extreme temperatures beyond the melting point of steel.
- Jointly developed by DRDL and DST facilities.

About Sramjet Engine

A scramjet engine is an improvement over the ramjet engine as it efficiently operates at hypersonic speeds and allows supersonic combustion.

Scramjet Engine Features

Scramjet Engine Ground Test

Air-Breathing Engine: Operates without moving parts, handling supersonic airflows at speeds of 1.5 km/second.
Flame Stabilization: Uses innovative techniques to sustain continuous flames in extreme airflow conditions, likened to “keeping a candle lit in a hurricane.”
Advanced Computational Tools: DRDO used Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations to predict engine performance and refine its design.

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Types of Engines for Missiles

Aspect	Turbojet	Ramjet	Scramjet
Operation	Compresses air using a turbine; burns fuel in the combustion chamber	Uses forward motion to compress incoming air; no external compressor or turbine	Advanced ramjet with combustion occurring in supersonic airflow
Speed Efficiency	Subsonic to low supersonic speeds	Supersonic speeds (Mach 3 to 6)	Hypersonic speeds (greater than Mach 5)
Combustion Process	Combustion occurs at subsonic airflow inside the engine	Combustion occurs at subsonic airflow using high-speed air compression	Combustion occurs at supersonic airflow inside the engine
Fuel Type	Aviation fuel (kerosene or similar hydrocarbons)	Aviation fuel or hydrocarbon-based fuels	Liquid hydrogen (fuel) and liquid oxygen (oxidizer)
Moving Parts	Includes turbines and compressors	No moving parts; depends on air compression from forward motion	No moving parts; uses advanced flame stabilization techniques
Operational Capability	Suitable for slower speeds and takeoff	Requires external assistance to reach supersonic speeds	Requires external assistance to achieve hypersonic speeds
Efficiency	Less efficient at high speeds	Efficient at sustained supersonic speeds	Extremely efficient at hypersonic speeds
Applications	Commercial aircraft, military fighter jets	Supersonic missiles, supersonic flight systems	Hypersonic missiles, space vehicles, advanced weapon systems
Examples	Subsonic cruise missile Nirbhay.	BrahMos Supersonic Cruise Missile	Hypersonic Glide Vehicles (HGVs) and Hypersonic Cruise Missiles (HCMs)

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