India successfully tests first long-range hypersonic missile, joins select club

With the successful test of a long-range hypersonic missile, capable of carrying various payloads over distances exceeding 1500 km, India has entered the elite group of nations possessing advanced military capabilities.

In Short

• Test confirms high-level accuracy of long-range hypersonic missile
• India joins elite group of nations with the test, says Rajnath Singh
• Capable of carrying payloads for ranges over 1500km for armed forces

India has successfully conducted a flight trial of a long-range hypersonic missile, marking a significant boost to the country's military readiness, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on Sunday. This missile is designed to carry various payloads for ranges greater than 1500km for the armed forces.

With this achievement, India has joined a select group of nations possessing such critical and advanced military technology, the minister added.

"This is a historic moment and this significant achievement has put our country in the group of select nations having capabilities of such critical and advanced military technologies," Rajnath Singh tweeted.

The missile was tracked by various range systems deployed across multiple domains. Flight data obtained from down-range ship stations confirmed the successful terminal manoeuvres and impact with a high degree of accuracy, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), which conducted the trials on Saturday night, announced.

This missile has been indigenously developed by the laboratories of the Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Missile Complex in Hyderabad, in collaboration with other DRDO laboratories and industry partners. The flight trial was conducted in the presence of senior DRDO scientists and members of the Armed Forces.

WHY HYPERSONIC MISSILES ARE CRUCIAL

Hypersonic missiles are weapons capable of travelling at speeds five times the speed of sound. Their range typically varies between 6,125 km/h (Mach 5) and about 24,140 km/h (Mach 20). These speeds make them incredibly difficult to detect and intercept.

There are two primary types of hypersonic missiles--Hypersonic Glide Vehicles (HGVs) and Hypersonic Cruise Missiles. HGVs are launched like ballistic missiles using a rocket booster. After reaching a certain altitude, the HGV separates from the booster and glides toward its target, manoeuvring in flight to avoid interception.

Hypersonic Cruise Missiles use scramjet engines to sustain hypersonic speeds throughout their flight, flying at lower altitudes and also possessing manoeuvrability.

The development of hypersonic missiles is a significant achievement for India, as it presents several challenges, including extreme heat generation, precise control and guidance systems, detection and tracking difficulties, and the need for effective interception systems.

Hypersonic missiles have the potential to revolutionise warfare due to their speed, manoeuvrability, and range. They could significantly reduce response times and make traditional missile defence systems less effective.

HOW DO THEY WORK

Launch: Hypersonic missiles are typically launched using rockets. For glide vehicles, the rocket boosts the missile to a high altitude.

Once at the desired altitude, the missile accelerates to hypersonic speeds. For cruise missiles, this is achieved using scramjet engines, which compress incoming air before mixing it with fuel to create combustion at supersonic speeds.

Unlike traditional ballistic missiles, hypersonic missiles can manoeuvre during flight. This makes their trajectory unpredictable and complicates interception efforts. Glide vehicles, for instance, use aerodynamic lift to glide toward their targets, while cruise missiles use their engines to maintain speed and direction.

The high speed and manoeuvrability of hypersonic missiles allow them to strike targets with precision. They can carry conventional or nuclear warheads, making them versatile for different types of missions.

Apart from India, several countries are also actively pursuing hypersonic missile programs, including the United States, Russia, and China.