India Achieves Major Milestone in Hypersonic Technology with Successful 1,000-Second Scramjet Engine Test

In a major leap toward next-generation hypersonic missile development, India has successfully conducted a ground test of its scramjet engine for over 1,000 seconds. This achievement represents a significant advancement in the country’s hypersonic weapon technology capabilities.

India tests scramjet engine for over 1,000 seconds in hypersonic technology leap | India Today

The milestone was reached by the Defence Research & Development Laboratory (DRDL), a Hyderabad-based unit under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). The test took place on April 25, 2025, at the newly established, state-of-the-art Scramjet Connect Test Facility (SCPT) in Hyderabad.

The long-duration ground test featured an Active Cooled Scramjet Subscale Combustor and lasted more than 1,000 seconds—building on a previous test conducted in January 2025, which ran for 120 seconds. According to DRDO, this successful test paves the way for full-scale, flight-worthy combustor trials in the near future.

Hypersonic Cruise Missiles (HCMs) are advanced weapons capable of flying at speeds exceeding Mach 5 (over 6,100 km/h). These systems rely on air-breathing engines where combustion occurs at supersonic speeds, a critical factor for sustaining long-range, high-speed flight.

This test not only confirmed the design of the long-duration scramjet combustor but also validated the performance of the new test facility. The accomplishment results from a collaborative effort involving multiple DRDO laboratories, industry collaborators, and academic partners, reflecting a strong, united push toward operational hypersonic missile systems.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh praised DRDO, industry partners, and academic institutions for this achievement, highlighting it as a reflection of India's firm commitment to mastering hypersonic weapon technologies. Additionally, Dr Samir V. Kamat, Secretary of the Department of Defence R&D and Chairman of DRDO, commended Director General (MSS) U Raja Babu, DRDL Director Dr G.A. Srinivasa Murthy, and their teams for successfully demonstrating sustained supersonic combustion using cutting-edge technology. (From India Today)

Conclusion

India's successful 1,000-second scramjet engine test marks a pivotal moment in its journey toward developing advanced hypersonic weaponry. This breakthrough places India among a select group of nations making concrete strides in the field of high-speed missile technology and reinforces its growing capabilities in defence innovation.