DRDL Successfully Tests Scramjets For Hypersonic Missiles

The Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL) has successfully completed a long-duration ground test of an active-cooled scramjet subscale combustor — a significant development in India’s efforts to develop hypersonic propulsion technology. Scramjets (supersonic combustion ramjets) are air-breathing engines that operate at speeds exceeding Mach 5 (five times the speed of sound) and are a core component in hypersonic cruise missiles and reusable space vehicles.

The test, which was conducted at DRDL’s new Scramjet Connect Test Facility in Hyderabad, ran for over 1,000 seconds — a duration that is considered an important benchmark in sustained supersonic combustion. The combustor tested was a scaled-down version, known as a subscale model, and used active cooling technology to manage the extreme temperatures generated during operation. According to scientists, the results pave the way for



full-scale flight tests and mark a transition from lab testing to real-world application.

“This is not a routine milestone — it’s a necessary gate before we can even think about putting these engines on flight vehicles,” said a senior official familiar with the project. The defence ministry confirmed that the system is now ready for flight-worthy testing. If successful, the technology could eventually power platforms such as the Hypersonic Technology Demonstrator Vehicle (HSTDV), enabling rapid deployment and strike capabilities for future strategic operations. Globally, only a handful of countries — the US, China, and Russia — are significantly ahead in scramjet propulsion. India’s progress with this test signals growing competence in high-speed defence technology and strengthens the country’s long-term deterrence capabilities.