In a major leap toward self-reliance in defense technology, India is set to develop its very own fifth-generation fighter jet—the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) . In a historic move, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has approved an innovative execution model for the indigenous stealth fighter programme. This model brings together Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and private industry players in a competitive framework, marking a significant shift in how India approaches military aviation manufacturing. This bold initiative comes at a critical time, as China has already fielded two fifth-generation fighters , and reports indicate it will supply 40 J-35 stealth jets to Pakistan . Against this backdrop, fast-tracking the AMCA has become an urgent national security imperative. AMCA: India’s Indigenous Stealth Fighter Dream The AMCA project , spearheaded by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) , received its l...
DRDO’s Scramjet Engine Breakthrough: A Step Towards Hypersonic Missile Systems The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully conducted a 120-second ground test of an active-cooled scramjet combustor at its Hyderabad-based Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL) . This is a major achievement in India's quest for hypersonic propulsion technology , essential for developing next-generation missile systems. What is a Scramjet Engine? A Scramjet (Supersonic Combustion Ramjet) engine is a type of air-breathing jet engine designed to operate efficiently at hypersonic speeds (Mach 5 and above) . Unlike conventional jet engines, scramjets do not have rotating compressors and instead rely on supersonic airflow for compression and combustion . Key Highlights of the DRDO Test 1. Successful 120-Second Ground Test Conducted by DRDL, Hyderabad . Validated the performance of an active-cooled scramjet combustor . Key milestone in the development of India’s hy...