Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has successfully carried out a flight demonstration of Solid Fuel Ducted Ramjet (SFDR) technology from the Integrated Test Range (ITR), Chandipur, off the coast of Odisha. The test was conducted at around 10:45 hrs on 03 February 2026 and marks a key technological milestone in the development of long-range air-to-air missile systems.
The successful demonstration validates critical technologies required for sustaining high-speed flight over extended ranges and is intended to support future missile development programmes. According to a press release, the demonstration places India among a limited group of countries that have demonstrated SFDR technology for air-to-air missile applications.
The flight involved the integrated performance of several subsystems, including a nozzle-less booster, a solid fuel ducted ramjet motor and a fuel flow controller. After initial acceleration by a ground booster motor to achieve the required Mach number, the ramjet propulsion system was activated and functioned as designed throughout the test sequence.
DRDO stated that the performance of the SFDR system was assessed using flight data collected by multiple tracking instruments deployed by the Integrated Test Range along the Bay of Bengal coastline. The data confirmed the expected aerodynamic and propulsion characteristics of the system during the flight.
Senior scientists from several DRDO laboratories monitored the launch and flight test. These included teams from the Defence Research and Development Laboratory, High Energy Materials Research Laboratory, Research Centre Imarat and the Integrated Test Range. The coordinated participation of multiple laboratories was aimed at validating the integrated performance of propulsion, materials, control and instrumentation technologies.
The Ministry of Defence said the test demonstrated the maturity of indigenous SFDR-related technologies and their readiness for further development and integration into missile platforms. The successful trial is expected to contribute to enhanced engagement ranges and operational flexibility for future air combat systems.
DRDO is the research and development arm of the Ministry of Defence and is responsible for the design and development of advanced defence technologies and systems for India’s armed forces, working in collaboration with public sector units, private industry and academic institutions.