India Defence News, Hyderabad, April 25, 2025 – The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has achieved a groundbreaking milestone in its Hypersonic Weapon Technology program, successfully conducting ground testing of an Active Cooled Scramjet Subscale Combustor for over 1,000 seconds.
DRDO Hypersonic Missile Test
The test, carried out by the Hyderabad-based Defence Research & Development Laboratory (DRDL) at the newly established Scramjet Connect Test Facility, marks a significant advancement following a prior 120-second test in January 2025.
This long-duration test validates the design of the scramjet combustor and the test facility, bringing DRDO closer to full-scale flight-worthy combustor testing.
Scramjet technology, critical for Hypersonic Cruise Missiles capable of sustained speeds exceeding 6,100 kmph (over five times the speed of sound), relies on air-breathing propulsion with supersonic combustion for extended cruise durations.
The achievement is a result of collaborative efforts between DRDO laboratories, industry partners, and academia, strengthening India’s Hypersonic Cruise Missile Development Programme.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh praised the success, highlighting it as a testament to the government’s commitment to developing advanced hypersonic weapon technologies.
Dr. Samir V. Kamat, Secretary of Defence R&D and DRDO Chairman, lauded Director General (Missiles & Strategic Systems) U. Raja Babu, DRDL Director Dr. GA Srinivasa Murthy, and the team for their innovative work in sustaining supersonic combustion for over 1,000 seconds using cutting-edge technologies.
This milestone positions India as a key player in the global race for hypersonic weaponry, with the DRDO poised to further accelerate its development efforts.