On March 5, 2021, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully tested indigenously developed solid fuel ducted ramjet (SFDR) technology at the Integrated Test Range (ITR) in Chandipur, Odisha. SDFR is a missile propulsion technology which uses ramjet propulsion system.
Ramjet Engine
A ramjet engine uses the vehicle’s forward motion to compress incoming air for combustion without a rotating compressor. The fuel in the combustion chamber mixes with hot compressed air and ignites. The engine requires an assisted take-off to accelerate it for producing thrust and is most suitable for high acceleration environment. The engines are particularly important because they are effective against long-range manoeuvring targets as the engine allows throttling of the engine during different phases of flight. The SFDR engine helps propel the missile at high supersonic speeds, i.e., around Mach 3 (three times the speed of sound) and can go up to Mach 6.
SFDR Technology
The development of SFDR technology began as a joint research and development project of India and Russia in 2017 and the first flight test was conducted in 2018 and then in 2019. This technology does not require oxidisers as the ramjet propulsion system acts as an oxidiser for the solid propellant. The conventional technology, on the other hand, requires carrying of the propellent and the oxidiser with it.
Various new technologies were tested during the flight demonstration on SFDR technology. The nozzle-less booster developed by the Pune-based High Energy Material Research Laboratory (HEMRL) was used to achieve the required speed and acceleration. The Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL) and the Research Centre Imarat (RCI) were also involved in this project.
Advantages of SFDR Technology
SFDR technology will help in developing long-range air-to-air missiles (AAM). This is a huge milestone for the DRDO as it prepares to test its Astra-Mark II missile (with a strike range of 160 km) and develop the Astra-Mark III which will have a 350-km strike range. These missiles will provide effective and multi-layered aerial protection from attacks. At present, only a few countries in the world possess such technology. This day and night capable Astra beyond visual range air-to-air missile (BVRAAM) will replace those developed by Russia, France, and Israel, and are used to arm Indian Air Force (IAF) fighters.
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