India’s First Long-Range Hypersonic Missile: Key Details

On 18 November 2024, the DRDO (Defence Research and Development Organisation) successfully test-fired India’s first long-range hypersonic missile off the Odisha coast, marking a significant milestone in India’s defence capabilities.

 

Key Features of the Missile

• Range: Over 1500 km.
• Global Pioneers: India joins an elite group of nations with hypersonic technology, previously limited to the United States, Russia, and China.
• Technologies Demonstrated:
  1. Aerodynamic Configuration: For hypersonic manoeuvres ensuring stability and control.
  2. Scramjet Propulsion:
     • Utilizes forward motion to compress air for combustion.
     • Operates efficiently at hypersonic speeds.
  3. Thermo-Structural Characterization: Ability to withstand extreme aerothermal conditions during flight.
  4. Separation Mechanism: Effective at hypersonic velocities.

 

Understanding Hypersonic Missiles

• Speed:
  • Hypersonic weapons fly at Mach 5 or more, which is five times the speed of sound.
  • Speeds are classified as:
    • Mach 1 to Mach 5: Supersonic
    • Above Mach 5: Hypersonic
• Advantages:
  • Exceptional speed and manoeuvrability make these missiles difficult to detect and intercept.
  • Their ability to manoeuvre during flight provides strategic flexibility and evasion capabilities.

 

India’s Missile Systems

• Inducted Systems:
  • AKASH: Surface-to-air missile system.
  • BRAHMOS: Long-range supersonic cruise missile.
• Advanced Stage of Induction:
  • NAG: Anti-tank guided missile.
  • ASTRA: Air-to-air missile.
  • Agni Series: Long-range ballistic missiles.

 

About DRDO

• Formation: Established in 1958, under the Ministry of Defence.
• Objective: Achieving self-reliance in defence technology by developing cutting-edge innovations.
• Infrastructure: Operates a network of 41 specialized laboratories focused on fields such as:
  • Aeronautics
  • Electronics
  • Missiles
  • Combat vehicles
  • Advanced computing and simulation