Defence & SecurityImportant2024-11-16

Maiden Flight Trial of Long-Range Hypersonic Missile

Why focus: Domestic high-tech defence test—GS3 Defence, sets up numeric traps (range >1500km) and payload capabilities for How-Many-Correct.

In News

What Happened

On November 16, 2024, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully conducted the maiden flight trial of India's first long-range hypersonic missile. The test was executed from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island off the coast of Odisha. The missile successfully demonstrated terminal maneuvers, high accuracy, and the capacity to carry payloads over ranges exceeding 1,500 km.

Why It Matters

This breakthrough propels India into an elite group of nations—presently including the US, Russia, and China—that possess advanced hypersonic weapons technology. It drastically enhances India's strategic deterrence, as these highly maneuverable, ultra-fast missiles can bypass modern air defense systems.

Background

History & Context

India's quest for hypersonic capabilities gained momentum with the Hypersonic Technology Demonstrator Vehicle (HSTDV) program under the DRDO. While an initial test in 2019 faced booster challenges, a historic milestone was achieved on September 7, 2020, when a scramjet-powered vehicle sustained Mach 6 speeds for over 20 seconds. This capability was built on the indigenous foundation laid by the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP), spearheaded by Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam in the 1980s.

What Changed

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Speed and Propulsion: BEFORE, India's most advanced operational cruise missile was the supersonic BrahMos (Mach 2.8) using ramjet technology. NOW, India has successfully tested hypersonic (>Mach 5) missiles that rely on advanced air-breathing scramjet technology.
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Maneuverability vs Predictability: BEFORE, long-range strike options largely depended on ballistic missiles with predictable parabolic trajectories. NOW, hypersonic missiles combine the extreme speed of ballistic missiles with the unpredictable mid-flight maneuverability of cruise missiles.
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Global Defense Standing: BEFORE, India was incrementally testing scramjet demonstrator components while global superpowers dominated the hypersonic space. NOW, India has successfully tested a fully integrated long-range hypersonic weapon, officially joining the elite tier of military innovators.

Prelims Angle

NCERT Connection

This technological leap is fundamentally linked to Class 11 Physics Chapter 10 (Mechanical Properties of Fluids), specifically involving aerodynamics and fluid friction. At hypersonic speeds (Mach 5+), the immense fluid resistance and shock waves generate extreme aerodynamic heating, necessitating the application of specialized thermal dynamics and scramjet principles to sustain flight.

Practice Questions

Q1

Correct Statement(s)

Which of the following statements is/are correct regarding India's hypersonic missile technology? 1. Hypersonic cruise missiles are typically powered by scramjet engines, which maintain supersonic airflow through the combustion chamber. 2. Unlike traditional ballistic missiles, hypersonic missiles do not follow a predictable parabolic trajectory.

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