India has achieved a significant milestone in its hypersonic missile development program with the successful ground testing of a full-scale, actively cooled, long-duration scramjet engine by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). The test, conducted on January 9, 2026, by the Hyderabad-based Defence Research & Development Laboratory (DRDL) at its state-of-the-art Scramjet Connect Pipe Test (SCPT) Facility, demonstrated a remarkable run time of over 12 minutes for the Actively Cooled Scramjet Full Scale Combustor. This crucial achievement positions India at the forefront of advanced aerospace capabilities, as successful scramjet technology is vital for sustained hypersonic flight, enabling missiles to travel at speeds exceeding Mach 5 (over 6,100 kmph) for extended durations. The engine utilizes supersonic combustion, a cutting-edge air-breathing propulsion system that lacks moving parts, making it highly efficient for high-speed applications. The ground tests have thoroughly validated the design of the advanced scramjet combustor and the capabilities of the indigenous test facility. This latest success builds upon earlier achievements, including a long-duration subscale scramjet test conducted on April 25, 2025, which ran for over 1,000 seconds, and an initial 120-second test in January 2025. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has lauded DRDO, its industry partners, and academia, stating that this accomplishment provides a solid foundation for the nation's Hypersonic Cruise Missile Development Program. The advancement underscores India's commitment to developing indigenous critical hypersonic weapon technologies, enhancing its strategic defense capabilities.