DRDO's Hyderabad arm holds successful testing of scramjet engine for over 1,000 seconds

Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) arm Defence Research & Development Laboratory (DRDL) in Hyderabad, achieved a major milestone in Hypersonic Weapon Technology on Friday.

They successfully conducted a long-duration Active Cooled Scramjet Subscale Combustor ground test for over 1,000 seconds at the newly established Scramjet Connect Test Facility in Hyderabad, as per the Ministry of Defence.

This ground test follows a previous test conducted in January 2025, which lasted for 120 seconds. With this latest success, the system is expected to be ready for full-scale flight-worthy combustor testing soon.


"Hypersonic Cruise Missile is a class of weapons that can travel more than five times the speed of sound (> 6100 Kmph) for long duration and is powered by an air-breathing engine. Air breathing propulsion systems, having supersonic combustion, plays a critical role for long-duration cruise conditions," the release said.

The test not only validates the design of the long-duration scramjet combustor but also the capabilities of the test facility. It is the result of collaborative efforts among DRDO labs, industry, and academia, laying a robust foundation for the nation's Hypersonic Cruise Missile Development Programme.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh praised the achievement, and said, "This success is a reflection of the Government's strong commitment in realizing critical Hypersonic Weapon Technologies for the nation."

What are Hypersonic missiles?

Hypersonic missiles are a cutting-edge class of weaponry that can reach speeds exceeding Mach 5, which is over 5,400 kilometers per hour. These advanced missiles have the capability to evade current air defense systems, delivering swift and impactful strikes.

Countries such as the United States, Russia, India, and China are actively developing hypersonic technology.

How does a scramjet engine work?

A crucial component of hypersonic vehicles is the scramjet, an air-breathing engine designed to maintain combustion at supersonic speeds without any moving parts. Operating a scramjet is akin to keeping a candle lit in a hurricane, as it utilizes a unique flame stabilization method to sustain continuous combustion even at air speeds greater than 1.5 kilometers per second.