DRDO's DRDL runs actively cooled full-scale scramjet combustor for over 1,200 seconds in Hyderabad
On 9 May 2026 DRDO's Defence Research & Development Laboratory (DRDL) ran its actively cooled full-scale scramjet combustor for over 1,200 seconds at the Scramjet Connect Pipe Test facility in Hyderabad, a step towards hypersonic cruise missiles.
Summary
The Defence Research & Development Laboratory (DRDL) of DRDO conducted a long-duration ground test of its actively cooled full-scale scramjet combustor on 9 May 2026, achieving a run-time of over 1,200 seconds at the Scramjet Connect Pipe Test (SCPT) facility in Hyderabad. The test built on an earlier run of over 700 seconds in January 2026. The supersonic air-breathing engine uses an indigenously developed liquid hydrocarbon endothermic fuel and a high-temperature thermal barrier coating; the combustor was designed by DRDL and realised by industry partners. Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh called it a solid foundation for the nation's Hypersonic Cruise Missile Development Program, and DRDO Chairman Dr Samir V Kamat congratulated the teams.
Key facts
- Test
- 9 May 2026; run-time over 1,200 seconds
- Lab / facility
- DRDL (DRDO); Scramjet Connect Pipe Test (SCPT) facility, Hyderabad
- Earlier
- Over 700 seconds in January 2026
- Tech
- Actively cooled; indigenous liquid hydrocarbon endothermic fuel; thermal barrier coating
- Programme
- Hypersonic Cruise Missile Development Program
Practice MCQs 3 questions
What run-time did DRDO achieve in the long-duration test of its actively cooled full-scale scramjet combustor on 9 May 2026?
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Correct answer: A — Over 1,200 seconds
A run-time of over 1,200 seconds was achieved, building on the over-700-second test of January 2026.
The scramjet combustor test of May 2026 was conducted by which DRDO laboratory, and where?
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Correct answer: C — DRDL, at the SCPT facility in Hyderabad
The Defence Research & Development Laboratory (DRDL) conducted the test at the Scramjet Connect Pipe Test (SCPT) facility in Hyderabad.
Consider the following statements about DRDO's scramjet combustor test of May 2026: 1. It built upon an earlier test of over 700 seconds conducted in January 2026. 2. The engine used cryogenic liquid hydrogen as fuel. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only 1 is correct. The engine used an indigenously developed liquid hydrocarbon endothermic fuel, not cryogenic liquid hydrogen.