“DRDO carried out a successful demonstration of SFDR technology from the Integrated Test Range (ITR), Chandipur off the coast of Odisha at around 10.45 am on February 3,” read a press release from the Ministry of Defense (MoD).

The Solid Fuel Ducted Ramjet (SFDR) technology was successfully flight tested from the Integrated Test Range (ITR), Chandipur, off the coast of Odisha, today. SFDR is crucial for the development of long-range air-to-air missiles. pic.twitter.com/66ZwE0micY

-DRDO (@DRDO_India) February 3, 2026

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The SFDR has been developed by the Defense Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL), Hyderabad in collaboration with other DRDO laboratories like Research Center Imarat (RCI), Hyderabad and High Energy Materials Research Laboratory (HEMRL), Pune.

“All subsystems, including the nozzleless booster, SFDR engine and fuel flow controller, performed as per expectations after being initially propelled by a ground-based booster engine at the desired Mach number (multiples of the speed of sound). The performance of the system was confirmed by flight data captured by various tracking instruments deployed by ITR, Chandipur along the coast of the Bay of Bengal. The launch was monitored by senior scientists from various laboratories of DRDO including DRDL, HEMRL, RCI and ITR.” the statement stated.

SFDR is an advanced air breathing propulsion system in which a solid fuel gas generator produces fuel-rich gases that are mixed with incoming air and burned in a ramjet combustion chamber. Ramjet is a propulsion system that relies on the missile’s high forward speed to compress incoming air, eliminating the need for a compressor and allowing efficient high-speed flight.

Unlike conventional rockets, the SFDR does not carry an oxidizer, making it lighter and more efficient.

DRDO scientists said the SFDR provides sustained thrust for a longer period and allows modulation of thrust during flight. SFDR technology significantly improves long-range air-to-air missiles by providing sustained propulsion for much of the missile’s flight. The use of solid fuel instead of liquid fuel makes the system simpler, safer and easier to store and transport. The incoming air is channeled through a duct into the combustion chamber, where it mixes with the fuel gases.

Defense Minister Rajnath Singh and DRDO Chairman Dr Samir V Kamat congratulated various DRDO teams and the industry for the successful demonstration of SFDR technology.