DRDO tests Solid Fuel Ducted Ramjet technology

Context

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully carried out a flight demonstration based on Solid Fuel Ducted Ramjet (SFDR) technology from Integrated Test Range (ITR) Chandipur off the coast of Odisha.

Solid Fuel Ducted Ramjet

• It is a missile propulsion systemthat includes a thrust modulated ducted rocket with a reduced smoke nozzle-less missile booster.
• The thrust modulation in the system is achieved using a hot gas flow controller.
• The system utilises a solid fuelledair-breathing ramjet

Ramjet Engine

• It is a form of air-breathing jet enginethat uses the engine's forward motion to compress incoming air without an axial compressor or a centrifugal compressor.
• Because ramjets cannot produce thrust at zero airspeed, they cannot move an aircraft from a standstill.
• A ramjet-powered vehicle, therefore, requires an assisted take-offlike a rocket assist to accelerate it to a speed where it begins to produce thrust.