India successfully tests an actively cooled Scramjet engine, a major breakthrough for its hypersonic missiles exceeding Mach 5.
India has carried out a successful ground test of its actively cooled Scramjet engine, marking a major step forward in the development of hypersonic missiles. These systems, capable of flying at speeds in excess of 5,400 km/h, are difficult to intercept and essential in modern conflicts. This success is based on advanced technologies such as supersonic combustion and materials resistant to extreme temperatures. The aim is to produce long-range missiles capable of carrying various types of payloads over 1,500 km. This development places India among the world leaders in this strategic field.
Scramjet engines: a revolutionary technology
Scramjet (Supersonic Combustion Ramjet) engines are essential for achieving and maintaining hypersonic speeds. Unlike conventional engines, Scramjets use ambient air for combustion, eliminating the need for mechanical compressors. This reduces overall weight and improves efficiency.
In the ground test conducted by the Defence Research & Development Laboratory (DRDL), the engine demonstrated its ability to maintain stable combustion at air inlet speeds in excess of 1.5 km/s, or around Mach 5. This combustion phase, crucial for hypersonic missiles, requires advanced flame stabilization techniques. Engineers used fluid dynamics simulation tools to optimize the design.
Scramjet engines enable missiles to be :
- Faster: With speeds in excess of Mach 5, they reduce the time between launch and impact.
- More stealthy: Their speed and unpredictable trajectory make interception complex.
- More efficient: Direct combustion with ambient air eliminates the need for oxygen tanks.
The successful integration of these engines places India alongside the USA, China and Russia, which are investing heavily in this technology for military and space applications.
Advances in materials and fuels
A major challenge for hypersonic flight is managing extreme temperatures. During flight at Mach 5 or higher, exposed surfaces can exceed 1,500°C, well above the melting point of steel. To solve this problem, DRDL, in collaboration with the Department of Science and Technology, has developed an Advanced Thermal Barrier Coating (TBC). This ceramic-based coating offers high thermal resistance and improves the durability of critical components.
The other key advance concerns the locally developed endothermic fuel. This fuel, designed to cool engines during combustion, improves efficiency and reduces the risk of overheating. The large-scale manufacture of this fuel meets the stringent requirements of hypersonic testing.
These innovations reduce India’s dependence on imports of critical technologies, strengthening its industrial autonomy in the defense sector.
A modern hypersonic engine requires materials capable of withstanding temperatures of up to 2,000°C. The development of these technologies costs an average of 200 to 300 million euros per research phase.
Military applications and strategic implications
Hypersonic missiles offer a major strategic advantage in modern conflicts. Capable of carrying various types of payload (conventional or nuclear) over distances exceeding 1,500 km, they alter the balance of power. India has already tested a missile of this type in November 2024 from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island, demonstrating its ability to target remote installations with remarkable precision.
Tactical advantages include:
- Immune to current defense systems: The speeds and trajectories of hypersonic missiles render anti-missile systems ineffective.
- Mission flexibility: These missiles can be used for rapid strikes on strategic targets.
- Enhanced deterrence: Possession of such weapons sends a strong signal to potential adversaries.
Global context: The USA, Russia and China are also engaged in a technological race to develop hypersonic missiles. For example, Russia is already deploying its Avangard missile, capable of carrying a nuclear warhead over 6,000 km. China is also investing in tests to perfect its own capabilities, notably with the DF-ZF.
Economic and scientific impact
The development of hypersonic missiles is boosting India’s technological economy. Collaborations between the DRDL, private industry and research laboratories are accelerating innovation in several fields:
- Advanced materials: The use of coatings and special alloys has applications in civil aerospace.
- Artificial intelligence: Missile guidance systems require advanced algorithms for real-time decisions.
- Energy and fuels: Endothermic fuels could be adapted to other industries requiring thermal management.
Economic benefits: The global hypersonic missile market is estimated to be worth €15 billion by 2030**, with annual growth of 9%. India could capture a significant share of this market thanks to its advances.
In addition, these projects strengthen local technical skills, creating jobs in strategic sectors and boosting defense exports.
Challenges and prospects
Although India has made significant progress, several challenges remain:
- Development costs: Hypersonic programs require massive investment. For example, hypersonic missile testing and production costs an average of €5 billion** for each fully operational system.
- Technological risk: Countermeasures, such as jamming systems and lasers, are also progressing. This forces engineers to constantly innovate to maintain their lead.
- International coordination: The proliferation of hypersonic weapons could intensify geopolitical tensions. International regulatory frameworks are needed to avoid escalation.
Despite these challenges, India is well positioned to become a key player in the race for hypersonic technologies, thanks to its research infrastructure and expanding industry.
War Wings Daily is an independant magazine.