Context:
India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has achieved a significant milestone by successfully flight-testing a long-range hypersonic missile off the coast of Odisha on November 17. This advanced missile, capable of carrying various payloads over distances greater than 1,500 km, marks a major advancement for the Indian Armed Forces. The missile has been indigenously developed by the laboratories of the Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Missile Complex in Hyderabad, in collaboration with other DRDO labs and industry partners, showcasing India’s growing capabilities in high-speed weaponry technology.
Relevance:
GS III: Science and Technology
Dimensions of the Article:
- Hypersonic Missiles
- India’s Hypersonic Missile Development
Hypersonic Missiles
Definition and Characteristics
- Speed and Agility: Hypersonic missiles are defined by their ability to travel faster than five times the speed of sound, which is approximately 760 miles (1,220 km) per hour at sea level. This classifies them at speeds beyond Mach 5.
- Maneuverability and Trajectory: Unlike ballistic missiles, hypersonic weapons do not follow a predetermined, arched trajectory and can maneuver en route to their target, making them difficult for traditional missile defense systems to detect and intercept.
Types of Hypersonic Weapons
- Hypersonic Glide Vehicles (HGVs): These are launched from rockets and then glide to their targets, leveraging high speeds to overcome defensive measures.
- Hypersonic Cruise Missiles (HCMs): Powered by high-speed air-breathing engines, known as scramjets, these missiles maintain propulsion throughout their flight.
Advantages
- Responsive Strike Capability: Hypersonic missiles can quickly reach and neutralize distant, defended, or time-sensitive targets effectively.
- Conventional Use: They rely on kinetic energy for destruction, suitable for striking unhardened or underground facilities without the need for explosive payloads.
- Detection Challenges: Flying at lower altitudes than ballistic missiles, they are difficult to track with certain ground-based radar systems.
Engineering Challenges
- Heat and Air Resistance: The extreme speeds generate significant heat and air resistance, presenting substantial material and design challenges.
- Precision and Maneuverability: The high velocities require exceptionally precise mechanisms for maneuvering and guidance.
- Communication: High speeds complicate maintaining effective communication with ground operators.
- Development Costs: They are significantly more expensive to develop compared to traditional ballistic missiles.
Global Developments
- Russia and China: Both countries are leaders in hypersonic technology, with Russia having actively deployed such systems in military operations.
- United States: Continues to advance its hypersonic capabilities, including significant investments like the $756 million contract awarded to Lockheed Martin for developing the Long Range Hypersonic Weapon (LRHW).
- Other Nations: France, Germany, Australia, Japan, Iran, and Israel are also investing in developing hypersonic technology.
India’s Hypersonic Missile Development
Progress and Milestones
- Early Challenges: India faced setbacks such as the 2019 failure of the Hypersonic Technology Demonstrator Vehicle (HSTDV).
- Successful Tests: Achievements include a successful test in 2020 where a scramjet-powered vehicle reached Mach 6.
- Ongoing Development: India plans further trials to enhance the duration and reliability of its hypersonic technology before eventual deployment.
Recent Achievements
- First Hypersonic Missile Test: Marking a significant milestone, India successfully tested its first long-range hypersonic missile capable of executing mid-flight maneuvers and traveling at speeds of Mach 6.
- Technical Capabilities: The missile boasts advanced speed, maneuverability, and a range exceeding 1,500 km, enhancing the strategic capabilities of the Indian armed forces.
Future Implications
- Strategic Impact: The development of hypersonic missiles significantly boosts India’s defense capabilities, offering new avenues for deterrence and combat readiness.
- BrahMos Hypersonic Variant: Considerations for developing a hypersonic variant of the existing BrahMos missile indicate ongoing efforts to expand India’s arsenal with cutting-edge technology.
-Source: Indian Express
