In a recent development, India has once again demonstrated its advanced defence capabilities by successfully flight testing the Solid Fuel Ducted Ramjet (SFDR) Booster. This missile system was tested at the Integrated Test Range (ITR) in Chandipur off the Odisha coast. The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), first initiated the development of the SFDR in 2017, conducting successful tests in subsequent years.
The SFDR: A New Propulsion Technology
The SFDR is a missile propulsion technology that India jointly developed with Russia. It operates based on the Ramjet Engine principle. This type of air-breathing jet engine uses the forward motion of the vehicle to compress incoming air for combustion without requiring a rotating compressor. More simply put, a ramjet produces high pressure by forcing external air into the combustor using the vehicle’s forward speed.
As such, this propulsion system depends on the external air brought into the system as the working fluid. However, it’s important to note that ramjets can only produce thrust when the vehicle is already in motion; they cannot generate thrust when stationary. Furthermore, the SFDR utilises a solid fuelled air-breathing ramjet engine that differs from solid-propellant rockets since it absorbs oxygen from the atmosphere during flight. This attribute makes it lighter in weight and allows it to carry more fuel.
Collaboration across DRDO Laboratories
The SFDR was developed by the Defence Research and Development Laboratory, Hyderabad, in collaboration with other DRDO laboratories like the Research Centre Imarat, Hyderabad, and the High Energy Materials Research Laboratory, Pune.
Significance of SFDR Technology
The deployment of this technology is significant because it enables the missile to intercept aerial threats at very long ranges and at supersonic speeds. Currently, only a few countries globally have access to this technology. Air-to-air missiles that use SFDR technology achieve longer ranges since they don’t need oxidisers and take oxygen directly from the atmosphere. Moreover, the missile based on SFDR can fly at supersonic speeds with high manoeuvrability, ensuring target aircraft cannot evade.
About the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)
Operating under the administrative control of the Ministry of Defence, Government of India, DRDO works towards establishing a world-class science and technology base for India. It equips Defence Services with internationally competitive systems and solutions. Formed in 1958 by combining the Technical Development Establishment of the Indian Army and the Directorate of Technical Development & Production with the Defence Science Organisation, it is responsible for executing the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme.
Recent DRDO Tests
The DRDO has been instrumental in testing several defence technologies recently. These include the Helina and Dhruvastra Anti-tank Guided Missiles, Smart Anti Airfield Weapon, Army Variant of MRSAM, Land-attack Version of BrahMos Missile, Quick Reaction Surface-to-Air Missile System, Enhanced Version of Pinaka Mk-1 Missile, and the NAG Missile which is an Anti Tank Guided Missile.
Previous UPSC Civil Services Examination Questions
In the 2014 UPSC Civil Services Examination, one of the questions regarding Agni-IV Missile was: “With reference to Agni-IV Missile, which of the following statements is/are correct? (2014)”. The correct answer showed that the Agni-IV is a nuclear-capable long-range ballistic missile of India with a strike range of 4,000 km.
