HYPERSONIC
MISSILE TEST : SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
NEWS:
DRDO ‘successfully conducts’ flight trial of India’s first long-range
hypersonic missile
WHAT’S
IN THE NEWS?
India successfully tested its first long-range
hypersonic missile with a 1,500 km range, developed by DRDO, marking a
significant advancement in defense technology. Hypersonic missiles, traveling
at speeds greater than Mach 5, are highly maneuverable, making them difficult
to intercept and ideal for rapid, precise strikes.
·
India's Hypersonic Missile Test:
India recently tested its first long-range hypersonic missile, developed by the
Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), with a 1,500 km range.
This significant milestone places India among a select group of nations with
advanced hypersonic missile capabilities, bolstering the country's defence
technology and military prowess.
·
Hypersonic Missile Features:
A hypersonic missile is defined as a missile that travels at
speeds exceeding Mach 5 (five times the speed of sound, i.e., over 6,174 km/h).
Due to these high speeds, hypersonic missiles are extremely difficult to
intercept and have a superior advantage over conventional missiles.
·
Test Details:
The flight test was conducted from Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Island,
Odisha, by DRDO. The missile was designed to carry a variety of payloads,
suitable for all branches of the Indian Armed Forces. The DRDO successfully
tracked the missile's flight using multiple range systems, confirming its
successful terminal manoeuvres and precise impact on the target.
·
Advantages of Hypersonic Missiles:
1.
Speed: The high speed of hypersonic
missiles allows them to reach targets in a much shorter time frame, reducing
the reaction time for defensive systems.
2.
Evasion: Their ability to manoeuvre at
high speeds and at various altitudes makes them difficult to detect by
traditional radar systems, which makes them hard to intercept.
3.
Penetration: Hypersonic missiles are
capable of bypassing current missile defence systems, which provides a
strategic advantage by penetrating even advanced defence shields.
4.
Precision: These missiles can be
highly accurate in targeting critical infrastructure or military assets,
ensuring maximum damage while minimizing collateral damage.
5.
Surprise Element: The speed and
manoeuvrability of hypersonic missiles allow them to strike with minimal
warning, offering a tactical advantage by overwhelming defensive systems before
they can react.
6.
Global Reach: Due to their high speed
and extended range, hypersonic missiles have the ability to strike targets
across vast distances, making them ideal for long-range, global strike
capabilities.
7.
Versatility: Hypersonic missiles can
be designed to carry both conventional and nuclear warheads, adding to their
versatility in various military operations.