Hypersonic Missile

India's successful hypersonic missile test marks a significant milestone in the country's defense capabilities, particularly in the realm of advanced missile technology.

India Tests Its First Hypersonic Missile

• Successful Flight Test: The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully flight-tested a long-range hypersonic missile off the coast of Odisha.

• Capabilities:

  • The missile is capable of flying at Mach 6, meaning it travels at six times the speed of sound.

  • It can perform mid-flight maneuvers, giving it flexibility and increasing its chances of evading interception.

  • The missile is designed to carry a variety of payloads and has a range of over 1,500 km, making it a significant asset for the Armed Forces.

• Development: The missile was developed indigenously by the Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Missile Complex, Hyderabad, in collaboration with various DRDO laboratories and industry partners. This marks a step towards self-reliance in defense technology.

India's Journey in Hypersonic Technology

1. Initial Challenges:

   • India’s first attempt at hypersonic technology came with the 2019 test of the Hypersonic Technology Demonstrator Vehicle (HSTDV). This test did not succeed but provided important lessons for future developments.

   • The HSTDV is essential in the development of hypersonic weapons, serving as a testbed for technologies like scramjet engines, which are crucial for sustained hypersonic flight.

2. Milestone Achievement in 2020:

   • A second test in 2020 was a significant success, where a scramjet-powered cruise vehicle achieved Mach 6 for 22-23 seconds, demonstrating the ability to maintain hypersonic speeds for a short period.

   • This test marked a crucial achievement in the development of reliable hypersonic technologies.

3. Further Development:

   • The DRDO plans to conduct further tests with longer flight durations and increased reliability before the missile is officially deployed.

   • These trials will likely focus on optimizing the missile’s performance, maneuverability, and ability to carry different payloads while maintaining its speed and range.

Significance of Hypersonic Missiles:

• Strategic Advantage: Hypersonic weapons, with their high speed and maneuverability, are difficult to intercept using traditional defense systems, making them a significant asset for national defense.

• Global Competition: Many countries, including the US, China, and Russia, have been working on hypersonic missile technology, and India’s successful tests place it in an elite group of nations with this advanced capability.

• Deterrence Capability: Hypersonic missiles add to India's deterrence capabilities, enhancing its ability to defend against or retaliate in a potential conflict scenario.

India’s hypersonic missile program is set to be a game-changer in both defensive and offensive strategies, enhancing the country’s position in global military technology. The successful flight test is just one step in India’s growing capabilities in cutting-edge defense technologies.

H ypersonic Missiles

• Hypersonic Weapons: Weapons that travel at speeds greater than Mach 5 (five times the speed of sound).

• Hypersonic Technology Demonstrator Vehicle (HSTDV): A crucial program in India's missile development aimed at creating a hypersonic cruise missile.

Advantages of Hypersonic Missiles over Ballistic Missiles: Hypersonic missiles offer greater maneuverability, speed, and the ability to evade interception compared to ballistic missiles.

What is a Hypersonic Missile?

• A hypersonic missile is a weapon system that flies at Mach 5 or faster (at least five times the speed of sound).

• Manoeuvrability: Unlike ballistic missiles, which follow a fixed, ballistic trajectory, hypersonic missiles are maneuverable throughout their flight, enabling them to adjust their course mid-flight and evade interception.

There are two types of hypersonic missile systems:

1. Hypersonic Glide Vehicles (HGV): These are launched by a rocket and then glide towards the target at hypersonic speeds.

2. Hypersonic Cruise Missiles: These missiles are powered by air-breathing engines known as scramjets and can sustain high speeds while homing in on their target.

Advantages of Hypersonic Missiles:

1. Long-Range, High-Speed Strikes: They enable responsive long-range strikes against distant or defended targets, especially when other forces are unavailable or denied access. This makes them valuable in scenarios where conventional forces cannot engage in a timely manner.

2. Kinetic Energy for Destruction: Hypersonic weapons rely purely on kinetic energy (energy derived from motion) to destroy targets, including unhardened targets or even underground facilities.

3. Manoeuvrability: Unlike ballistic missiles, which follow a fixed path, hypersonic missiles can change direction mid-flight, making them more difficult to intercept.

4. Speed and Surprise: Their high speed and low altitude of flight make them hard to detect and intercept, leading to a surprise attack capability.

Are Hypersonic Missiles Detectable in Flight?

• Detection Challenges: Hypersonic weapons can evade early detection due to their speed, maneuverability, and low altitude.

  • Ground-based radars often fail to detect them until they are quite late into their flight, making it difficult to intercept them in time.

  • The delayed detection gives adversaries limited time to assess the threat and respond, raising the potential for successful attacks.

Which Countries Possess Hypersonic Weapons?

• Advanced Programs:

  • USA, Russia, and China are among the most advanced in developing hypersonic missile programs.

  • India, France, Germany, Japan, and Australia are also developing hypersonic weapons.

What is the Indian Hypersonic Missile Programme?

• India’s Hypersonic Technology Demonstrator Vehicle (HSTDV) Program: India is working on developing an indigenous, dual-capable hypersonic cruise missile, which can be used for both conventional and nuclear strikes.

• Key Achievements:

  • India has successfully tested a Mach 6 scramjet in June 2019 and September 2020.

  • India operates around 12 hypersonic wind tunnels, with the capability to test speeds up to Mach 13.

India's HSTDV program is a critical step towards developing long-range hypersonic cruise missiles, which will significantly enhance the country's defense capabilities in the coming years.