DRDO successfully demonstrates Solid Fuel Ducted Ramjet technology off Odisha coast
DRDO successfully demonstrated Solid Fuel Ducted Ramjet (SFDR) technology from the Integrated Test Range, Chandipur, off the Odisha coast at about 10:45 am on 3 February 2026.
Summary
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully demonstrated Solid Fuel Ducted Ramjet (SFDR) technology from the Integrated Test Range (ITR), Chandipur, off the Odisha coast at about 10:45 am on 3 February 2026. DRDO said the test places India in an elite group of nations with this technology, which enables long-range air-to-air missiles. After a ground booster motor took the system to the required Mach number, the nozzle-less booster, the SFDR motor and the fuel flow controller all performed as expected, as confirmed by ITR's tracking instruments along the Bay of Bengal coast. Scientists from DRDL, HEMRL, Research Centre Imarat and ITR monitored the launch.
Key facts
- Date and place
- 3 February 2026, ~10:45 am, ITR Chandipur, Odisha
- Technology
- Solid Fuel Ducted Ramjet (SFDR)
- Use
- Long-range air-to-air missiles
- Subsystems
- Nozzle-less booster, SFDR motor, fuel flow controller
- Initial boost
- Ground booster motor to the desired Mach number
- Labs
- DRDL, HEMRL, RCI, ITR
Practice MCQs 4 questions
From where did DRDO demonstrate Solid Fuel Ducted Ramjet (SFDR) technology on 3 February 2026?
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Correct answer: D — Integrated Test Range, Chandipur
The SFDR demonstration was carried out from the Integrated Test Range (ITR), Chandipur, off the Odisha coast.
According to DRDO, SFDR technology mainly enables the development of which type of missile?
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Correct answer: D — Long-range air-to-air missiles
DRDO said SFDR enables developing long-range air-to-air missiles to give a tactical edge.
Which of the following was NOT listed among the SFDR subsystems that performed as expected on 3 February 2026?
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Correct answer: B — Cryogenic upper stage
The listed subsystems were the nozzle-less booster, the SFDR motor and the fuel flow controller. A cryogenic stage is a rocket technology, not part of SFDR.
Consider the following about the SFDR demonstration of February 2026: 1. The system was first propelled to the desired Mach number by a ground booster motor. 2. Its performance was confirmed by tracking instruments deployed along the Arabian Sea coast. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only 1 is correct. ITR Chandipur's tracking instruments were deployed along the Bay of Bengal coast.