31 Jan Scramjet Hypersonic Missile technology
SYLLABUS MAPPING:
GS-3-Science and technology- Scramjet Hypersonic Missile technology
FOR PRELIMS:
What is hypersonic technology? Key features of Ramjet, Scramjet and Turbine engine?
FOR MAINS
What are the key challenges in developing and deploying scramjet engines for hypersonic flight?
Why in the news?
What is Hypersonic Missile Technology?
Hypersonic Missile Technology refers to weapons capable of travelling at speeds greater than Mach 5 (more than five times the speed of sound). These missiles are faster, more manoeuvrable, and harder to intercept than traditional missiles, making them a significant advancement in military technology.
Types of Hypersonic Missiles:
1. Hypersonic Cruise Missiles (HCMs): Powered by scramjets, these missiles maintain hypersonic speeds throughout their flight.
2. Hypersonic Glide Vehicles (HGVs): Launched by rockets into space, they glide back to Earth at hypersonic speeds, capable of altering their trajectory.
Scramjet Vs Ramjet Vs Turbine
| Feature | Scramjet | Ramjet | Turbine |
|---|---|---|---|
| Speed Range | Hypersonic (Mach 5 and above) | Supersonic (Mach 2 to Mach 5) | Subsonic to Supersonic (Mach 0.3 to Mach 3) |
| Operation Principle | Air-breathing with supersonic combustion | Air-breathing with subsonic combustion | Air-breathing with compression and combustion |
| Components | Inlet, Combustor, Diverging Nozzle | Inlet, Combustor, Diverging Nozzle | Compressor, Combustor, Turbine, Nozzle |
| Air Compression | Uses shock waves for compression at hypersonic speeds | Uses forward motion to compress air | Uses rotating blades (compressor) for air compression |
| Efficiency | High efficiency at hypersonic speeds | High efficiency at supersonic speeds | High efficiency at subsonic to supersonic speeds |
| Thrust Generation | By accelerating heated air at hypersonic speeds | By accelerating heated air at supersonic speeds | By expanding air through turbines for thrust |
| Moving Parts | None (no moving parts) | None (no moving parts) | Yes (rotating blades in compressor and turbine) |
| Fuel Type | Typically, hydrogen or hydrocarbon-based | Typically, hydrogen or hydrocarbon-based | Typically, jet fuel (e.g., kerosene) |
| Operational Altitude | Typically above 100 km (high-altitude) | Typically in the atmosphere (up to ~30 km) | Operates at lower altitudes (up to ~12 km) |
| Applications | Hypersonic flight, future space exploration, military missiles | Supersonic flight (e.g., missiles, supersonic aircraft) | Commercial jets, military jets, helicopters |
| Complexity | Very high (advanced engineering for high speeds) | Moderate (simpler design compared to turbines) | Moderate to high (advanced systems for jet propulsion) |
| Heat Management | Very high (extreme heat at hypersonic speeds) | High (but less extreme than scramjets) | Moderate (operates at lower temperatures) |
Scramjet Engine Mechanism of working:
1. Air Intake: At hypersonic speeds (Mach 5+), the air is taken in without slowing down, compressed by the vehicle’s high velocity through the intake.
2. Compression: Air is compressed by the intake shape, increasing pressure and temperature while remaining supersonic throughout the process.
3. Combustion: Fuel (like hydrogen) is injected into the supersonic airflow in the combustion chamber. Combustion occurs almost instantly due to the high pressure and temperature.
4. Thrust Generation: Post-combustion, hot gases expand and accelerate through a divergent nozzle, creating thrust to propel the vehicle forward.
5. No Moving Parts: Unlike traditional jet engines, scramjets have no rotating components. They rely solely on vehicle speed for compression, making them lighter but requiring higher operational speeds.
Application of Scramjet Engine:
1. Hypersonic Aircraft: Enables vehicles to fly at Mach 5+ speeds, reducing global travel times by travelling through the upper atmosphere.
2. Hypersonic Missiles: Powers missiles that are faster and harder to intercept than conventional ones, with longer range and speed.
3. Space Launch Vehicles: Used to reduce fuel needs by utilizing atmospheric air as an oxidizer, making space launches more efficient and cost-effective.
4. Spaceplanes and Reusable Spacecraft: Key to developing spaceplanes that can launch like aeroplanes and transition to rocket propulsion for space access, enabling reusable spacecraft.
5. High-Speed Interceptors: Develop interceptors capable of countering hypersonic threats with extreme speed.
6. Scientific Research & Space Exploration: Enables quick access to the upper atmosphere for research on air composition, environmental conditions, and more.
Conclusion
India’s successful test of the actively cooled scramjet combustor marks a key milestone in hypersonic technology, placing the country at the forefront of defence innovation. This achievement paves the way for next-gen hypersonic missiles capable of exceeding Mach 5 speeds, making them faster, more manoeuvrable, and harder to intercept. Scramjet technology, which enables supersonic combustion without moving parts, is highly efficient and essential for high-speed flight and long-duration missions. Its applications extend beyond defence to include hypersonic aircraft, space exploration, and cost-effective space launches. By using atmospheric oxygen, scramjets also reduce fuel needs, potentially revolutionizing space access.
Prelims Question:
2. Scramjets rely on rotating parts like turbines and compressors for air compression.
3. The combustion process in a scramjet engine occurs at supersonic speeds without any moving parts.
How many of the above-given statements are correct?
A. Only one
B. Only two
C. All three
D. None
Mains Question:
Q. Discuss the working principle and applications of scramjet engines in hypersonic technologies. How does India’s successful testing of an actively cooled scramjet combustor contribute to the development of advanced defence technologies?
(250 words, 15 marks)
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