Girish Linganna
The Defence Materials and Stores Research and Development Establishment (DMSRDE) in Kanpur has achieved a major step towards self-sufficiency by developing an indigenous fuel for the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile and has dispatched samples of this locally produced fuel for testing.
Dr. Mayank Dwivedi, the director and scientist at DMSRDE, revealed during a Sunday press conference at the institute that testing has begun on the fuel intended for the missile’s liquid Ramjet engine.
Dr. Dwivedi noted that the fuel, currently sourced from Russia, has been successfully developed in-house. This new indigenous fuel is characterized by its ability to remain liquid in extremely cold conditions, not freezing at temperatures between -50 to -55 degrees Celsius. He explained that the development of this fuel took approximately eight to nine months and it has been dispatched to the Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL) in Hyderabad for further testing.
“Supersonic Power: BrahMos Missile”
Formed in 1998, BrahMos Aerospace is a collaborative venture between India and Russia that specializes in the manufacturing of the BrahMos Supersonic Cruise Missile. With the ability to be deployed from submarines, ships, aircraft, and land, this advanced missile system derives its name from the Brahmaputra River in India and the Moskva River in Russia.
With a solid propellant booster engine in its first stage, the missile reaches supersonic speeds before detaching. The second stage, a liquid ramjet, accelerates it to nearly 3 Mach in cruise mode.
Featuring stealth technology and an advanced guidance system, the BrahMos has unique capabilities. It can travel up to 290 kilometers at supersonic speeds, leading to faster engagement and the ability to evade interception.
Operating on a ‘Fire and Forget’ principle, the missile can undertake various flight paths to reach its target. Its substantial kinetic energy upon impact enhances its destructive power.
Cruising at altitudes up to 15 kilometers, the missile descends to as low as 10 meters in its terminal phase. It carries a conventional warhead weighing between 200 to 300 kilograms.
Compared to subsonic cruise missiles, the BrahMos offers thrice the velocity, 2.5 to 3 times the range, 3 to 4 times the seeker range, and 9 times more the kinetic energy.
Versatility is a notable aspect of the BrahMos, with the same configuration for different platforms. It uses a Transport Launch Canister for transport, storage, and launch.
The BrahMos is known for its multi-platform compatibility, ‘Fire and Forget’ operating principle, consistent high supersonic speed, long flight range, low radar signature, shorter flight times, and high precision with lethal impact power.
It is the first supersonic cruise missile in service, with the Indian Navy incorporating it in 2005. The Indian Army has also inducted multiple regiments since 2007, and the Indian Air Force integrated it with Sukhoi-30MKI fighter aircraft.
“Russian-Developed Fuel for BrahMos Ramjet Engine”
A ramjet engine is a simple type of jet engine. Imagine it like a tube that takes in air from the front as it moves forward. Inside the tube, the air is compressed because of the speed, mixed with fuel, and then ignited. This ignition creates a high-speed exhaust that shoots out of the back, pushing the engine forward. It’s efficient at high speeds but doesn’t work when standing still or moving slowly.
The BrahMos missile is believed to utilize a high-energy liquid fuel for its engine, similar to aviation turbine fuel (ATF) which is primarily kerosene-based and typically used in jet aircraft. This fuel is presumed to be a variant of the Russian T-6 rocket fuel, augmented with an oxidizer to facilitate sustained combustion in its ramjet engine. The T-6, in this context, is considered an ATF-based kerosene fuel, potentially modified with particular additives to improve its performance, specifically tailored for use in military technologies like ramjet-powered missiles.
Given the confidential aspects of military technologies and substances, the precise makeup of the fuel and its additives may remain undisclosed. Nonetheless, it’s acknowledged that such fuels are tailored for stability, high energy density, and the performance needed by a supersonic cruise missile like the BrahMos, renowned as one of the swiftest cruise missiles in active service.
For a missile like BrahMos, which is designed for supersonic speeds and requires a high degree of reliability, the fuel would need to exhibit several key performance characteristics:
1. High Energy Density: To maximize the range and speed of the missile, the fuel must store a large amount of energy per unit mass.
2. Stability: The fuel must be stable under various environmental conditions, including storage, handling, and operational stresses, such as acceleration and vibration.
3.Combustion Efficiency: Efficient combustion is crucial to ensure that the missile’s engine delivers the maximum thrust from the fuel.
4. Low Flash Point:A lower flash point can be desirable for ignition purposes, but it must be balanced with safety considerations.
5. High Thermal Stability: The fuel should resist breakdown at the high temperatures that can be encountered in the ramjet engine.
6.Compatibility with Materials: The fuel must not corrode or degrade the materials used in the fuel system and engine.
7. Low Viscosity:Lower viscosity is generally preferable for fuel pumpability and atomization during the combustion process.
8. Low Freezing Point: To ensure the fuel remains liquid under all operational conditions, especially at high altitudes where temperatures can be extremely low.
9. High Boiling Point:Ensuring that the fuel does not vaporize prematurely under the high temperature conditions of operation.
10. Low Soot Production:To minimize the visibility of the missile’s exhaust plume and reduce the potential for engine coking.
T6, as a variant of kerosene-based rocket fuel, probably has similarities with other hydrocarbon fuels, such as JP-10,but with some differences in mechanical and chemical makeup, which is recognized for its high energy density and utilization in certain air-to-surface missiles. However, the specific composition and additives in T-6 are likely customized for the BrahMos missile’s unique propulsion needs.
It should be emphasized that these details are usually confidential and not shared with the public or external parties. The information mentioned here is derived from broad knowledge of rocket and jet propulsion fuel principles.
The author is a Defence, Aerospace & Political Analyst based in Bengaluru. He is also Director of ADD Engineering Components, India, Pvt. Ltd, a subsidiary of ADD Engineering GmbH, Germany.
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