India, Oct. 13 -- Defence propulsion startup D-Propulse has successfully demonstrated India's first indigenous 5 kN air breathing Rotating Detonation Engine (RDE) integrated with an aerospike nozzle, marking a significant milestone in the country's advanced propulsion capabilities. Conducted at a DRDO government test facility, the hot fire demonstration achieved stable 5 kN thrust, validating the technology at Technology Readiness Level (TRL)-5, which signifies validation in a relevant operational environment. The TRL-5 milestone positions the indigenous engine for future applications in cruise missiles, target drones and high speed UAVs.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Vayu Aerospace & Defence Review....