GS3 – Science & Technology
Context
India has successfully tested its latest indigenous hypersonic cruise missile, the ET-LDHCM, placing it alongside global leaders like the US, Russia, and China in hypersonic weapons technology.
Salient Features
- Indigenous Development: Designed entirely with Indian technology under the DRDO’s secretive Project Vishnu.
- Scramjet Propulsion: Utilises a scramjet engine that uses atmospheric oxygen for combustion, enabling sustained hypersonic speeds.
- Speed & Range:
- Achieves Mach 8 (~11,000 km/h); can travel 3 km in just 2 seconds.
- Operational range of approximately 1,500 km.
- Payload:
- Capable of delivering conventional or nuclear warheads weighing 1,000–2,000 kg.
- Designed to neutralise strategic targets deep inside adversarial territories like Pakistan and China.
- Advanced Maneuverability:
- Travels at low altitudes, avoiding radar detection.
- Can change course mid-flight, unlike ballistic missiles.
- Stealth and Heat Resistance:
- Built using materials resistant to temperatures up to 2,000°C.
- Coated with oxidation-resistant materials, enabling durability in extreme environments such as saltwater and direct sunlight.
- Versatile Launch Capability: Can be launched from land, air, or naval platforms.
Project Vishnu
- A classified DRDO initiative focused on creating next-generation hypersonic cruise missiles.
- Aims to significantly enhance India’s strategic deterrence through speed, manoeuvrability, and deep-strike capability.