On November 17, India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully flight-tested a long-range hypersonic missile off the coast of Odisha. This significant achievement marks a major milestone for India in its pursuit of advanced military technologies.
Significance of the Test
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh took to X (formerly Twitter) to highlight the importance of this success, calling it a historic moment. He noted, “India has achieved a major milestone by successfully conducting the flight trial of a long-range hypersonic missile from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island, off the coast of Odisha. This significant achievement has put our country in the group of select nations having capabilities of such critical and advanced military technologies.”
About the Missile
The missile, developed indigenously by DRDO, can carry various payloads and is capable of striking targets at ranges greater than 1,500 km. The missile was developed by the Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Missile Complex in Hyderabad, along with other DRDO labs and industry partners.
What Are Hypersonic Missiles?
Hypersonic missiles are designed to travel at speeds at least five times the speed of sound, which is around Mach 5 or roughly one mile per second. This speed, coupled with the missile’s ability to manoeuvre, sets hypersonic missiles apart from ballistic missiles that follow a fixed trajectory.
There are two primary types of hypersonic missile systems:
- Hypersonic Glide Vehicles (HGVs): These are launched from a rocket before gliding to the intended target.
- Hypersonic Cruise Missiles (HCMs): These missiles are powered by air-breathing engines, or ‘scramjets,’ which help them maintain speed after acquiring a target.
Role of Hypersonic Missiles in National Security
According to defence equipment manufacturer Lockheed Martin, hypersonic systems are considered a “game-changer” for national security. General John Hyten, former Commander of US Strategic Command, has emphasized that hypersonic weapons provide responsive, long-range strike options, especially when other forces are unavailable or denied access.
These weapons use kinetic energy to destroy targets, ranging from unhardened structures to underground facilities. Moreover, hypersonic missiles fly at lower altitudes than ballistic missiles, making them harder to track with certain radar systems.
Engineering Challenges of Hypersonic Missiles
Developing hypersonic systems presents several engineering challenges. The extreme speeds generate substantial heat due to air friction and resistance, which requires careful management. Hypersonic missiles also face challenges in maintaining communication with operators during flight, as well as ensuring precise manoeuvrability.
Additionally, hypersonic systems are more costly to develop compared to traditional ballistic missiles.
Global Development of Hypersonic Missiles
Russia and China are believed to be ahead in the development of hypersonic missiles, with the US also making strides through its ambitious program. In May 2024, the US Army awarded Lockheed Martin a $756 million contract to advance its ground-based hypersonic weapon system, the Long Range Hypersonic Weapon (LRHW).
In 2022, Russia used a hypersonic missile in the ongoing conflict with Ukraine. The missile successfully destroyed a large underground weapons storage facility in the Ivano-Frankivsk region.
Other nations, including France, Germany, Australia, Japan, Iran, and Israel, are also pursuing projects to develop hypersonic missile systems.
Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs):
- What is the minimum speed required for a missile to be classified as hypersonic?
- A) Mach 2
- B) Mach 3
- C) Mach 5
- D) Mach 10
Answer: C) Mach 5
- Where was India’s long-range hypersonic missile flight test conducted?
- A) Kerala Coast
- B) Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island, Odisha
- C) Gujarat Coast
- D) Tamil Nadu Coast
Answer: B) Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island, Odisha
- Which two types of hypersonic weapons systems are primarily discussed in the article?
- A) Hypersonic Glide Vehicles and Hypersonic Cruise Missiles
- B) Ballistic Missiles and Hypersonic Glide Vehicles
- C) Ballistic Missiles and Submarine Missiles
- D) Hypersonic Glide Vehicles and Anti-Ship Missiles
Answer: A) Hypersonic Glide Vehicles and Hypersonic Cruise Missiles
- What is a major engineering challenge in developing hypersonic missiles?
- A) Fuel efficiency
- B) High-speed air resistance and heat generation
- C) Low-cost production
- D) Long-range targeting
Answer: B) High-speed air resistance and heat generation
- Which country used hypersonic missiles in the ongoing conflict with Ukraine in 2022?
- A) United States
- B) Russia
- C) China
- D) France
Answer: B) Russia