India successfully tests Solid Fuel Ducted Ramjet Propelled Missile

India has successfully undertaken the demonstration of the indigenously developed propulsion technology. The successful demonstration of indigenous technology is a step forward in the development of long-range air-to-air missiles.

A Long Journey

India had embarked on the journey to indigenously develop the Solid Fuel Ducted Ramjet technology in 2013 with estimated funding of nearly Rs 500 cr to develop the technology and demonstrate it in 5 years.
The Defence Research Development Laboratory (DRDL) at Hyderabad was the lead agency for the collaborative mission project. The first test of this indigenous technology was carried out in May 2018. The recent one was a second trail and it established a series of technologies including the ground booster, separation of the ground booster and nozzle-less booster.
During the test flight, the missile was guided to high altitude to simulate aircraft release conditions and subsequently the nozzle-less. All the mission parameters were successfully met.

How Solid Fuel Ducted Ramjet propelled missile is different?

The Solid Fuel Ducted Ramjet propelled missile uses the air-breathing ramjet propulsion technology, which helps propel the missile at high supersonic speeds (above Mach 2) for engaging targets at long ranges.

Month: Current Affairs - February, 2019