Syllabus:

GS3: Achievements of Indians in science & technology; indigenization of technology and developing new technology.

Context: 

Recently, the Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) conducted a long-duration Active Cooled Scramjet Subscale Combustor ground test for more than 1,000 seconds, marking a significant milestone in India’s Hypersonic weapon technology development.

More on the News

• The development was achieved by the Defence Research & Development Laboratory (DRDL), a Hyderabad-based laboratory of DRDO, at the newly built state-of-the-art scramjet connect test facility.
• This test follows an earlier successful test conducted for 120 seconds in January 2025, a first-of-its-kind demonstration of active cooled scramjet combustor ground testing in India.
• With the successful test, the system will soon be ready for full-scale flight-worthy combustor testing.

• The DRDL has developed a scramjet engine capable of sustained hypersonic flight by utilizing Active Cooling and Thermal Barrier Coatings (Tbcs).

• These innovations address two of the biggest challenges in hypersonic propulsion: thermal management and sustained operation at hypersonic speeds.

Significance

• India became the fourth country after the USA, Russia, and China to demonstrate flight testing of a Scramjet engine.
• It validates both the design of long-duration scramjet combustor and the test facility.
• The ground test marks a crucial milestone in the development of next-generation hypersonic missiles.
• The success is a result of integrated efforts by DRDO laboratories, industry partners, and academia, laying a strong foundation for India's Hypersonic Cruise Missile Development Programme.

Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)

• DRDO was formed in 1958 from the amalgamation of the then-already functioning Technical Development Establishment (TDEs) of the Indian Army and the Directorate of Technical Development & Production (DTDP) with the Defence Science Organisation (DSO). 
• DRDO is the R&D wing of the Ministry of Defence, with a vision to empower India with cutting-edge defence technologies and a mission to achieve self-reliance in critical defence technologies and systems. 

UPSC Mains Practice Question

Q: Critically discuss the significance of the Defence Research & Development Laboratory (DRDL )'s recent achievement in long-duration scramjet combustor testing. Also, highlight the role of indigenous efforts in advancing hypersonic cruise missile technology.