India has achieved another historic milestone in the defense sector. The Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) has cleared a major hurdle toward the development of a hypersonic missile. DRDO’s lab, the Defense Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL), has successfully conducted a long-duration test of an actively cooled full-scale scramjet combustor.
The test lasted for 1200 seconds.
The test was conducted on May 9, 2026, at the state-of-the-art Scramjet Connect Pipe Test (SCPT) facility in Hyderabad. The engine operated continuously for over 1,200 seconds (20 minutes). The previous successful test was for 700 seconds in January of this year. This long-duration test demonstrates India’s advanced aerospace capabilities.
What is the speciality of scramjet engine?
Supersonic speed – This engine uses oxygen present in the air to help the missile fly many times faster than the speed of sound (hypersonic).
Indigenous technology: It uses liquid hydrocarbon endothermic fuel developed in India.
Overheat Protection: High-temperature thermal barrier coating and advanced cooling system are installed to prevent the engine from melting.
India in the queue of selected countries of the world
This successful ground test not only validated the engine design but also demonstrated the strength of India’s testing facilities. With this technology, India now joins a select group of countries with the capability to develop hypersonic cruise missiles.
Defense Minister congratulated
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh congratulated DRDO scientists and industry partners on this success. He said this achievement will lay a strong foundation for India’s hypersonic cruise missile development programme.
DRDO Chairman Dr. Samir V. Kamat also praised the team and called it a revolutionary step towards future warfare skills.
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