India Closer to Hypersonic Weapon: DRDO Conducts Second Test of Scramjet Engine

India has moved a step forward in the development of hypersonic weapon systems with the successful ground test of an active cooled scramjet combustor, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) announced.

On April 25, the Defence Research & Development Laboratory (DRDL), a Hyderabad-based DRDO facility, conducted a long-duration test of the subscale combustor at the newly established Scramjet Connect Test Facility in Hyderabad. The test, lasting more than 1,000 seconds, is the second in the series following an earlier 120-second trial in January this year.

The scramjet combustor, which enables air-breathing supersonic combustion, is a key part of the propulsion system for hypersonic cruise missiles—missiles that can travel at speeds exceeding Mach 5, or 6,100 km/h, for sustained durations.

According to DRDO, the test has validated the combustor’s performance under long-duration conditions and confirmed the capability of the newly developed test infrastructure. Officials stated that the technology is now ready for flight-worthy combustor testing.

“This is a crucial step in advancing the nation’s hypersonic cruise missile programme,” a DRDO statement said, adding that the achievement is the result of joint efforts involving DRDO laboratories, Indian industry partners, and academic institutions.

India is one of a handful of countries currently pursuing hypersonic weapon technology, which is considered a key area of future military capability.