In News: Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully flight tested the second indigenously developed ‘Solid Fuel Ducted Ramjet (SFDR)’ propulsion based missile system.
About Solid Fuel Ducted Ramjet (SFDR) Technology:
- Developed by: Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO)
- SFDR technology is a missile propulsion system based on the concept of Ramjet Engine principle.
- The system utilises a solid fuelled air-breathing ramjet engine.
- DRDO began developing SFDR first in 2017 and had conducted successful tests in 2018 and 2019 as well.
Significance Of SFDR Technology
- Successful demonstration of SFDR technology will enable DRDO to develop indigenous long range air-to-air missiles.
- At present, such technology is available only with a handful of countries in the world.
- The missile based on SFDR fly at supersonic speeds and high manoeuvrability ensures the target aircraft cannot get away.
Ramjet
- A ramjet is a form of air-breathing jet engine that takes up oxygen from the atmosphere during flight. Thus, it doesn’t require an oxidizer as part of the solid motor.
- However, ramjet-powered vehicles require an assisted take-off like a rocket. It assists to accelerate it to a speed where it begins to produce thrust.
- Further, ramjets work efficiently at supersonic speeds around Mach 3 (three times the speed of sound) and can operate up to speeds of Mach 6. But the ramjet efficiency starts to drop when the vehicle reaches hypersonic speeds.
Scramjet
- The scramjet engine is an improvement over the ramjet engine. It efficiently operates at hypersonic speeds and allows supersonic combustion. Thus, it is known as Supersonic Combustion Ramjet or Scramjet.
Source: PIB and The Hindu
