New Delhi: The Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) successfully conducted a flight test based on Solid Fuel Ducted Ramjet (SFDR) technology from the Integrated Test Range Chandipur off the coast of Odisha on 05 March 2021 at around 1030 am. All subsystems performed as expected, including booster motors and nozzle-free motors. During testing, testing of several new technologies including solid fuel based ducted ramjet technology was proved.
The successful demonstration of solid fuel based ducted ramjet technology has provided technical benefits to the Defense Research and Development Institute (DRDO) to enable it to develop long-range air-to-air missiles. At present, such technology is available only with a few countries of the world. During testing, the air launch scenario was simulated using a booster motor. Later the nozzle-free booster accelerated it to the required MAC number for the ramjet operation.
The missile’s performance was monitored using data captured by ITR-deployed electrooptical, radar and telemetry equipment and confirmed the successful performance of the mission objectives. The launch was monitored by the Defense Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL), Research Center Senior scientists from various Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) laboratories including Imrat (RCI) and High Energy Material Research Laboratory (HEMRL).
Defense Minister Rajnath Singh congratulated the Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO), Indian Air Force and industry scientists on the successful flight test of Solid Fuel Ducted Ramjet (SFDR).
Dr. G. Satish Reddy, Secretary, Department of Defense Research and Development and President of Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) also congratulated the team involved in the successful flight test.