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The successful demonstration of the indigenously developed propulsion technology on Friday is expected to accelerate the development of long range air-to-air missiles.
The technology is called the Solid Fuel Ducted Ramjet (SFDR).
Defence scientists conducted a test of the propulsion-based missile system from the ITR, Chandipur, Odisha on Friday.
The performance of the second trial established a series of technologies including the ground booster, separation of ground booster and nozzle-less booster. The missile was guided to high altitude to simulate aircraft release conditions and subsequently the nozzle-less booster was ignited.
The Defence Ministry said that all the mission parameters were successfully met. The missile was integrated with a SFDR propulsion system, which is an all-ready version of a future beyond visual range air-to-air missile, which the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is pursuing.
The first test of this advanced technology driven missile was carried out in May 2018.
The Defence Research Development Laboratory (DRDL), Hyderabad is the lead agency for the collaborative mission project.
The major difference between this missile and the regular air-to-air missiles is the air breathing ramjet propulsion technology, which helps propel the missile at high supersonic speeds (above Mach 2) for engaging targets at long ranges, DRDO sources said.
The SFDR Mission Project started in 2013 with an estimated funding of nearly Rs 500 cr to develop the technology and demonstrate it in 5 years.
The success of Saturday’s trial the prospects of India having its own armoury of very long range air to air missiles, which are the preserve of a few nations today in the next couple of years have brightened. The UnionDefence Minister, Nirmala Sitharaman and other top officials of the DRDO congratulated the defence scientists on the success.
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