DRDO's DRDL runs full-scale actively cooled scramjet combustor for over 12 minutes
The DRDO's Hyderabad-based Defence Research & Development Laboratory (DRDL) ground-tested its full-scale actively cooled scramjet combustor for over 12 minutes at its Scramjet Connect Pipe Test facility on 9 January 2026, a key step in India's hypersonic missile programme.
Summary
The Defence Research & Development Laboratory (DRDL), the Hyderabad-based laboratory of DRDO, conducted a long-duration ground test of its actively cooled full-scale scramjet combustor on 9 January 2026, achieving a run time of over 12 minutes at its Scramjet Connect Pipe Test (SCPT) facility. The test builds on a long-duration subscale test on 25 April 2025; the combustor and facility were designed by DRDL and realised by industry partners. A hypersonic cruise missile flies at more than five times the speed of sound (over 6,100 km/h) for extended periods using an air-breathing engine with supersonic combustion. Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh complimented DRDO, industry and academia.
Key facts
- Lab
- Defence Research & Development Laboratory (DRDL), Hyderabad — DRDO
- Test
- Actively cooled full-scale scramjet combustor, run time over 12 minutes
- Facility, date
- Scramjet Connect Pipe Test (SCPT) facility, 9 January 2026
- Earlier step
- Long-duration subscale test, 25 April 2025
- Hypersonic
- More than 5 times the speed of sound (over 6,100 km/h)
- Engine
- Air-breathing, supersonic combustion (scramjet)
Practice MCQs 3 questions
Which DRDO laboratory conducted the full-scale actively cooled scramjet combustor ground test on 9 January 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — DRDL, Hyderabad
PIB (Defence): the test was conducted by the Defence Research & Development Laboratory (DRDL), Hyderabad.
For how long did DRDO's full-scale scramjet combustor run in the ground test of 9 January 2026?
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Correct answer: C — Over 12 minutes
PIB (Defence): the combustor achieved a run time of over 12 minutes at the SCPT facility.
Consider the following statements about the scramjet test reported by DRDO in January 2026: 1. A scramjet is an air-breathing engine that sustains flight through supersonic combustion. 2. A hypersonic cruise missile flies at more than five times the speed of sound. 3. The full-scale test was the first long-duration test of any scramjet combustor by DRDL. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 1 and 2 only
PIB (Defence): statements 1 and 2 are correct; statement 3 is wrong because the test built on an earlier long-duration subscale test on 25 April 2025.