CHANDIPUR, October 21 — The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully conducted a high-altitude flight validation trial of the indigenous Solid Fuel Ducted Ramjet (SFDR) propulsion technology from the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Chandipur off the Odisha coast on Tuesday.
During the complex flight test, the nozzle-less ground booster accelerated the test vehicle to the required Mach number for ramjet ignition, following which the air-breathing SFDR propulsion duct sustained controlled supersonic cruise above Mach 3. By scooping atmospheric oxygen during flight rather than carrying bulky onboard chemical oxidizers, SFDR technology enables continuous throttling during the terminal phase, expanding the kinematic 'No-Escape Zone' against highly agile fifth-generation enemy fighters.
Defence officials stated that the successful demonstration paves the way for the induction of the 350-kilometre-range indigenous 'Astra Mk-3' Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile (BVRAAM), providing Indian Air Force Su-30MKI, Rafale, and Tejas squadrons with unmatched aerial superiority.
Aerospace propulsion physics distinguishing solid-fuel rockets, air-breathing Ramjets (supersonic combustion), and Scramjets (hypersonic combustion), the operational evolution of the indigenous Astra BVRAAM family, and DRDL Hyderabad’s missile development history represent vital topics in UPSC GS-III and CDS examinations.