DRDO makes headway in hypersonic technology

 (Source – The Hindu, International Edition, Page 2​)

1. What is Hypersonic Technology?

• Definition:
  Hypersonic vehicles travel at speeds greater than Mach 5 (i.e., five times the speed of sound, ~6,100 km/h or more).
• Scramjet Engines:
  • “Supersonic Combustion Ramjet” (Scramjet) engines allow sustained flight at hypersonic speeds.
  • They breathe air from the atmosphere, making them lighter and more efficient compared to traditional rockets.
• Active Cooled Combustor:
  • Special cooling mechanisms to withstand extremely high thermal loads during hypersonic flight.
  • Ensures long-duration performance without material failure.

2. DRDO’s Achievement: Why it is Important

• 1000-Second Ground Test:
  • Huge jump from earlier tests limited to about 120 seconds.
  • Indicates robust endurance, crucial for real-world weapon applications.
• Towards Hypersonic Cruise Missile:
  • Forms the building block for India’s development of hypersonic cruise missiles, both for strategic deterrence and precision strike capabilities.
• Indigenous Capability:
  • Reduces dependency on foreign technology in critical defence sectors.
  • Strengthens India’s Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliance) goals in high-end defence tech.

3. Strategic and Military Relevance

• Next-Generation Warfare:
  Hypersonic missiles can evade missile defence systems due to their speed and manoeuvrability.
• Counter to Global Developments:
  • China (DF-ZF hypersonic glide vehicle) and Russia (Avangard system) already field hypersonic weapons.
  • USA also racing to develop operational hypersonic capabilities.
  • India’s achievement narrows the technology gap.
• Boosts Second-Strike Capability:
  Integrating hypersonic systems into India’s deterrence strategy enhances credibility in future conflict scenarios.

4. Challenges Ahead

• Material Science Limitations:
  Need for developing ultra-high temperature ceramics and composites.
• Guidance and Navigation:
  Hypersonic speeds make precise targeting extremely difficult due to aerodynamic and thermal distortions.
• Global Regulatory Environment:
  Future restrictions (akin to Missile Technology Control Regime) may tighten on hypersonic tech transfer and deployment.

Conclusion

DRDO’s breakthrough in hypersonic scramjet technology marks a watershed moment for India’s defence research and national security posture. It positions India among the few elite nations developing next-generation strategic capabilities — vital for maintaining a credible and modern deterrence profile in an increasingly volatile global security environment.