Solid Fuel Ducted Ramjet (SFDR) Technology

Solid Fuel Ducted Ramjet (SFDR) Technology Latest News

Recently, the Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) has carried out a successful demonstration of Solid Fuel Ducted Ramjet (SFDR) technology from the Integrated Test Range (ITR), Chandipur off the coast of Odisha.

About Solid Fuel Ducted Ramjet (SFDR) Technology

• It is an advanced air-breathing propulsion system using a solid fuel gas generator.
• It has been developed by Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL), Hyderabad in collaboration with other DRDO laboratories.
• Working:
  • It uses solid fuel instead of liquid fuel to make the system simpler, safer, and easier to store and transport.
  • Unlike conventional rockets, SFDR does not carry an oxidiser, making it lighter and more efficient.
  • SFDR provides sustained thrust over a longer duration and allows thrust modulation during flight.
  • The SFDR system allows missiles to fly faster, farther and remain manoeuvrable throughout their flight, unlike conventional rocket-powered missiles.

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Significance of Solid Fuel Ducted Ramjet (SFDR) Technology

• SFDR technology significantly enhances long-range air-to-air missiles by providing sustained propulsion throughout much of the missile’s flight.
• It places India into an elite league of nations possessing this technology that enables developing long-range air-to-air missiles to give tactical edge over the adversaries.

What is Ramjet?

• It is a propulsion system that relies on the missile’s high forward speed to compress incoming air, eliminating the need for a compressor and enabling efficient high-speed flight.

Source: PIB