India Conducts Successful Flight Test Of Solid Fuel Ducted Ramjet Technology From ITR In Odisha's Chandipur

In a boost to India’s indigenous missile development programme, the Defence Research Development Organisation (DRDO) on Friday (5 March) conducted a successful flight test of Solid Fuel Ducted Ramjet (SFDR) technology from Integrated Test Range (ITR) in Odisha's Chandipur.

"All systems including the ground booster motor performed as per expectation," DRDO officials were quoted by ANI as saying.

The officials added that “during the test, many new technologies were proven, including the Solid Fuel based Ducted Ramjet Technology”.

The SFDR is a missile propulsion system that includes a thrust modulated ducted rocket with a reduced smoke nozzle-less missile booster. The thrust modulation in the system is achieved using a hot gas flow controller. The system utilises a solid fuelled air-breathing ramjet engine.

The success of SFDR propulsion technology is a significant milestone and will pave the way for indigenous development of long range air-to-air missiles in the country.

The first test of the SFDR technology driven missile was carried out in May 2018 while the second trial was conducted in February 2019.