UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — DRDO conducts key test for hypersonic missile programme

Q1. With reference to DRDO's Hypersonic Cruise Missile Development Programme as reported in 2026, consider the following identifications relating to the long-duration scramjet combustor tests. Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

  1. Implementing laboratory — Defence Research & Development Laboratory (DRDL), Hyderabad
  2. Ground-test facility — Scramjet Connect Pipe Test (SCPT) Facility
  3. Fuel — indigenously developed liquid hydrocarbon endothermic fuel
  4. Rocket booster used to ignite the combustor in the 2026 ground test — Agni-I motor
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 3 and 4 only
  • C. 1, 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q2. The Actively Cooled Full Scale Scramjet Combustor tested in 2026 for the Hypersonic Cruise Missile Development Programme was designed and developed by which DRDO laboratory?

  • A. Research Centre Imarat (RCI), Hyderabad
  • B. Defence Research & Development Laboratory (DRDL), Hyderabad
  • C. Advanced Systems Laboratory (ASL), Hyderabad
  • D. Defence Research & Development Establishment (DRDE), Gwalior

Q3. In the long-duration ground test of the full-scale actively cooled scramjet combustor conducted by DRDL on 9 May 2026 at the SCPT Facility, Hyderabad, the combustor sustained combustion for a run-time of over how many seconds?

  • A. Over 120 seconds
  • B. Over 700 seconds
  • C. Over 1,000 seconds
  • D. Over 1,200 seconds

Q4. With reference to DRDO's 2026 actively cooled scramjet combustor tests for the Hypersonic Cruise Missile Development Programme, consider the following statements. Which of the above is/are NOT correct?

  1. The Scramjet Connect Pipe Test (SCPT) Facility used for the tests is located in Hyderabad.
  2. The hypersonic cruise missile is designed to fly at speeds exceeding five times the speed of sound.
  3. The May 2026 test used an indigenously developed liquid hydrocarbon endothermic fuel.
  4. The 2026 combustor milestone was achieved by test-firing the engine aboard a flight vehicle launched from Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Island.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 4 only
  • D. 3 and 4 only