Indian Missile News And Discussion

[vasu_ray]

From the interview with VK Saraswat from this link,



http://www.deccanchronicle.com/op-ed/%E2...%80%99-866



here is an excerpt,



"Q. Are we going to see the Hyperplane test flight happen any time soon?

A. We faced a problem in high-temperature materials for the scramjet engine. We needed to run the engine for 20 seconds, but could do it only up to three seconds. We were denied imports of the material required. So, we launched a separate programme and developed three materials. We have now been able to reach 20 seconds twice. We want to do five to six more ground tests. We expect to be able to do the first test flight by the end of the year."



what are the reasons that ISRO requires 7 secs of test flight while DRDO fixes it at 20 secs and aren't these time values way smaller to be ramped up for practical flights if the materials can't withstand beyond?



if these materials are so exotic how are they comfortable with abandoning them in the ocean (citing economic reasons) after the test flights?