India, with the support of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), has successfully tested a long-range hypersonic missile, marking a significant milestone in defense technology. This achievement places India among the select group of nations capable of developing hypersonic weaponry.
What Makes Hypersonic Missiles Unique?
Hypersonic missiles travel at speeds exceeding five times the speed of sound, referred to as Mach 5. This translates to a speed of approximately one mile per second. These missiles are highly agile and can evade advanced air defense systems by altering their trajectory mid-flight.
There are two types of hypersonic weapons:
- Hypersonic Glide Vehicles (HGV): Launched via rockets.
- Hypersonic Cruise Missiles (HCM): Powered by high-speed engines or scramjet technology.
Hypersonic missiles are designed to operate within the atmosphere, relying on aerodynamic control surfaces like wings and tail fins for maneuverability, unlike space vehicles that depend on thrusters.
Technical Challenges
Developing hypersonic missiles involves overcoming challenges such as thermal shielding, maintaining stability, precise targeting, and advancing scramjet technology. High speeds result in extreme temperatures, making thermal management a critical hurdle.
India’s Achievement
The newly tested hypersonic missile is capable of carrying explosives over a range exceeding 1,500 kilometers. Defense Minister Rajnath Singh lauded the successful test as a “historic moment” and congratulated DRDO scientists for their exceptional work.