Hyderabad, April 25, 2025 — In a remarkable stride towards bolstering India’s hypersonic capabilities, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has successfully conducted a long-duration ground test of its Active Cooled Scramjet Subscale Combustor for over 1,000 seconds. The test took place at the Scramjet Connect Test Facility in Hyderabad, established by the Defence Research & Development Laboratory (DRDL), a premier DRDO institution.

This test, conducted on April 25, 2025, follows an earlier successful trial of 120 seconds in January 2025. With this milestone, DRDO moves closer to readiness for full-scale flight-worthy combustor testing, a critical step in the development of Hypersonic Cruise Missiles.

Hypersonic Cruise Missiles are advanced weapon systems capable of flying at speeds exceeding five times the speed of sound (Mach 5 or over 6,100 kmph) for extended durations. These missiles are powered by air-breathing engines, specifically scramjets (supersonic combustion ramjets), which enable sustained high-speed travel through the atmosphere. The successful demonstration of supersonic combustion for over 1,000 seconds validates both the combustor design and the testing infrastructure, marking a key achievement in India's hypersonic weapon development roadmap.

This success is the result of a collaborative effort between DRDO laboratories, industry partners, and academic institutions, showcasing India’s growing prowess in developing critical defence technologies.

Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh congratulated DRDO, industry collaborators, and academia for this landmark accomplishment. He emphasized that this achievement reflects the Government’s unwavering commitment to advancing hypersonic weapon technologies, a strategic domain critical for national security.

Dr Samir V Kamat, Secretary, Department of Defence R&D and Chairman, DRDO, also extended his congratulations to Shri U Raja Babu, Director General (Missiles & Strategic Systems), Dr G A Srinivasa Murthy, Director, DRDL, and their dedicated teams. He commended the successful demonstration of supersonic combustion for over 1,000 seconds, a feat involving cutting-edge technologies and robust engineering.

This milestone paves the way for India’s Hypersonic Cruise Missile Development Programme, positioning the nation alongside global leaders in hypersonic technology and enhancing its strategic deterrence capabilities.