DRDO Tests Scramjet Combustor For 1,000 Seconds
Why focus: 1000-second scramjet test. GS3 Sci-Tech, tests conceptual clarity between Ramjet and Scramjet (supersonic combustion) in statement formats.
In News
What Happened
Why It Matters
Background
History & Context
What Changed
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BEFORE: India's longest reported scramjet ground test was limited to 120 seconds, achieved in January 2025. NOW: The active-cooled combustor successfully operated for over 1,000 seconds, proving long-duration endurance.
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BEFORE: Thermal management issues restricted hypersonic tests to short bursts, like the 20-second HSTDV flight. NOW: Advanced active cooling systems and thermal barrier coatings allow the engine to withstand extreme temperatures for several minutes.
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BEFORE: Traditional ramjet engines were used for supersonic flight but lost efficiency at hypersonic speeds because they slowed incoming air to subsonic levels. NOW: Scramjet technology sustains supersonic airflow during combustion, enabling speeds well above Mach 5.
Prelims Angle
NCERT Connection
Practice Questions
Q1
Correct Statement(s)With reference to Scramjet engine technology, which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. Unlike Ramjet engines, Scramjet engines slow down incoming air to subsonic speeds before combustion. 2. Scramjet engines are air-breathing propulsion systems designed to operate efficiently at speeds of Mach 5 and above.