PTI
Balasore (Odisha)/New Delhi, April 8
The Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) successfully flight-tested a propulsion system on Friday that allows a missile to intercept aerial threats at very long ranges at supersonic speeds.
The Solid Fuel Ducted Ramjet (SFDR) booster was tested at the Chandipur Integrated Test Range off the coast of Odisha.
The successful SFDR test should help the DRDO extend the range of air-to-air missiles, officials said.
SFDR-based propulsion allows a missile to intercept very long-range airborne threats at supersonic speeds.
The MoD said the SFDR flight tests were successful and demonstrated the reliable operation of all critical components involved in the complex missile system.
“The test successfully demonstrated the reliable operation of all critical components involved in the complex missile system and achieved all mission objectives,” he said in a statement.
He said the performance of the system has been confirmed from data captured by a number of ranging instruments such as telemetry, radar and electro-optical tracking systems.
“SFDR was developed by Defense Research and Development Laboratory, Hyderabad in collaboration with other DRDO laboratories such as Imarat Research Center, Hyderabad and High Energy Materials Research Laboratory, Pune “, said the ministry.
Defense Minister Rajnath Singh congratulated DRDO on the success of the SFDR trial.
He called it an important step towards the development of critical missile technologies in the country.
Complimenting the teams involved in the design, development and testing of the system, DRDO Chairman G Satheesh Reddy said that with the successful testing of the SFDR, the range of air-to-air missiles can be improved.
