Hypersonic Missiles

India successfully test-fired its first long-range hypersonic missile off the Odisha coast, joining the US, Russia, and China in this advanced technology. With a range of over 1500 km and speeds above Mach 5, this milestone boosts India's defense capabilities and self-reliance in military advancements.

On January 23, 2025, India made a significant stride in its defense capabilities with the successful test-fire of its first long-range hypersonic missile off the Odisha coast. This marks a monumental achievement for the country, positioning it alongside the United States, Russia, and China, the only nations previously possessing this advanced technology. With a range exceeding 1500 kilometers, the long-range hypersonic missile demonstrates India’s growing prowess in aerospace and defense technologies.

The test was carried out by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), which has been at the forefront of India’s efforts to achieve self-reliance in defense technologies. The development of this hypersonic missile showcases not only India’s technological advancement but also its commitment to bolstering national security.

The successful launch of India’s long-range hypersonic missile highlighted several cutting-edge technologies that have been successfully incorporated into the missile’s design. These technologies are critical to the missile’s performance and its operational capabilities. Some of the key technologies demonstrated include:

• Aerodynamic Configuration for Hypersonic Maneuvers: The missile’s aerodynamic configuration has been optimized to maintain stability and control during its flight at hypersonic speeds. This configuration ensures that the missile can maneuver mid-flight, which is one of the defining features of hypersonic weapons, enhancing their lethality and unpredictability.
   
• Scramjet Propulsion for Sustained Combustion: A significant technological achievement of the test was the successful use of scramjet propulsion. Scramjets are air-breathing engines that use the missile’s forward motion to compress incoming air for combustion. This technology enables sustained propulsion at hypersonic missile speed (Mach 5 and beyond), which is essential for reaching such high velocities. Scramjets are critical for the long-range capabilities of hypersonic missiles, and their successful integration represents a leap in India’s missile development.
   
• Thermo-Structural Characterization: The missile’s ability to withstand the extreme heat generated during hypersonic flight was another key factor in the test’s success. The high hypersonic missile speed generates intense aerothermal stresses, and the missile must be capable of handling these conditions without compromising its structural integrity. The thermo-structural characterization ensures that the missile can endure these high-stress conditions while maintaining its trajectory.
   
• Separation Mechanism at Hypersonic Velocities: At such high speeds, the missile must maintain precise control over its various stages. The separation mechanism is designed to function effectively even at hypersonic missile speed, ensuring that any separations during flight do not interfere with the missile’s overall performance.

Hypersonic missiles are a class of weapons capable of flying at speeds of at least Mach 5 (five times the speed of sound), which is more than 6,100 km/h. At these speeds, a hypersonic missile can travel vast distances in very short timeframes, making them incredibly difficult to intercept or track.

The term hypersonic missile speed refers to the velocity at which these weapons travel. Unlike conventional missiles, which follow a predictable ballistic trajectory, hypersonic missiles can manoeuvre mid-flight, further complicating interception efforts. This manoeuvrability, combined with their high speeds, makes hypersonic missiles highly potent weapons, capable of striking targets with little to no warning.

In the case of India’s long-range hypersonic missile, the combination of speed, maneuverability, and range provides the Indian defense forces with a significant strategic advantage. These missiles are designed to penetrate enemy defenses, rendering traditional missile defense systems obsolete. They are also capable of carrying nuclear or conventional payloads, depending on the mission’s requirements.

India’s successful test of the long-range hypersonic missile places it in an exclusive group of countries with this technology. The United States, Russia, and China had earlier achieved similar feats, and the global race for hypersonic missile technology is now intensifying.

For several years, Russia has been deploying hypersonic cruise missile systems, such as the Zircon missile, which operates at speeds of Mach 6. Similarly, China has made significant progress with its DF-ZF hypersonic glide vehicle and other hypersonic systems. The United States, while lagging behind in terms of deployment, has ramped up its research and development efforts in recent years, seeking to counter the growing threat posed by these advanced weapons.

With the successful test of its long-range hypersonic missile, India has made it clear that it is committed to advancing its defense technologies to keep pace with global developments in hypersonic weapons.

The successful test of the long-range hypersonic missile has far-reaching implications for India’s defense strategy. Hypersonic weapons are capable of altering the balance of power in any military conflict, and India’s entry into this domain ensures that it is well-positioned to defend its interests in a rapidly changing security landscape.

• Enhanced Deterrence Capability: With the deployment of hypersonic cruise missile systems, India’s deterrence capability has been significantly enhanced. The ability to strike high-value targets with minimal warning time makes these weapons invaluable in a strategic context. The mere existence of such a missile can dissuade adversaries from engaging in hostile actions, knowing that the consequences could be catastrophic.
   
• Increased Regional Security: The development of hypersonic missile technology bolsters India’s security posture in the region, especially considering the growing military assertiveness of neighboring countries. China’s rapid advancements in hypersonic technologies have already raised concerns among India’s defense strategists. By developing its own hypersonic missile capabilities, India can effectively counter potential threats in the region.
   
• Contribution to Self-Reliance in Defense: A key aspect of India’s defense strategy is self-reliance. The successful development and testing of the long-range hypersonic missile demonstrate DRDO’s growing capability to design, develop, and deploy cutting-edge defense technologies. This achievement marks a step towards reducing India’s dependency on foreign suppliers for advanced weapons systems, promoting self-sufficiency in defense.
   
• Technological Advancements and Innovation: The development of the long-range hypersonic missile also has significant technological spin-offs. The innovations in scramjet propulsion, aerospace materials, and guidance systems can have applications beyond military use, fostering advancements in civilian aerospace and other high-tech industries.

India’s defense landscape is also significantly shaped by its indigenous missile systems, which have been developed by DRDO over several decades. These systems range from surface-to-air missiles to long-range ballistic missiles, and they form the backbone of India’s strategic deterrence capabilities.

Inducted Missile Systems

• AKASH: A surface-to-air missile system designed to intercept and destroy short-range targets.
• BRAHMOS: A long-range supersonic cruise missile that can be launched from various platforms, including ships, submarines, and aircraft.

Missile Systems in Advanced Stages of Induction

• NAG: An anti-tank guided missile capable of being fired from land and air platforms.
• ASTRA: An air-to-air missile with long-range capabilities, designed to engage hostile aircraft.
• Agni: A series of long-range ballistic missiles, including the Agni-V, which can carry nuclear warheads and strike distant targets.

India’s successful test of its long-range hypersonic missile marks a major step in strengthening its defense capabilities and self-reliance. With speeds exceeding Mach 5 and advanced maneuverability, this technology enhances India’s strategic edge. As warfare evolves, India’s investment in cutting-edge defense systems reinforces national security and positions the country as a key player in global security advancements.

What are subsonic, supersonic, and hypersonic missiles?

• Subsonic Missiles: Travel at speeds below Mach 1 (e.g., Tomahawk).
• Supersonic Missiles: Travel between Mach 1–5 (e.g., BrahMos).
• Hypersonic Missiles: Travel at speeds above Mach 5 (e.g., Hypersonic Glide Vehicles).

What are cruise and ballistic missiles?

• Cruise Missiles: Fly at low altitudes, guided throughout, and maintain sustained flight (e.g., Nirbhay).
• Ballistic Missiles: Follow a parabolic trajectory, propelled initially, then free-fall (e.g., Agni series).

What are RAMJET and SCRAMJET engines?

• RAMJET: Works at supersonic speeds (Mach 2-3), needs initial thrust, compresses air without moving parts.

• SCRAMJET: Operates at hypersonic speeds (Mach 5+), allowing air to flow at supersonic speeds inside the engine.

What is the main role of ISRO vs DRDO?

• ISRO (Indian Space Research Organization): Responsible for space exploration, satellite development, and launch vehicles for civilian applications like communication, navigation, remote sensing, and interplanetary missions (e.g., Chandrayaan, Mangalyaan).
• DRDO (Defence Research and Development Organization): Focuses on military research and development, including missiles, fighter jets, radars, electronic warfare systems, and other defence technologies (e.g., Agni, BrahMos, Tejas).

1. How is S-400 air defence system technically superior to any other system presently available in the world? (2021/10M)

Consider the following statements (2023)

1. Ballistic missiles are jet-propelled at subsonic speeds throughout their fights, while cruise missiles are rocket-powered only in the initial phase of fight.
2. Agni-V is a medium-range supersonic cruise missile, while BrahMos is a solid-fuelled intercontinental ballistic missile.
    

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

A. 1 only

B. 2 only

C. Both 1 and 2

D. Neither 1 nor 2

With reference to Agni-IV Missile, consider the following statements (2014)

1. It is a surface-to-surface missile.
2. It is fueled by liquid propellant alone.
3. It can deliver one-tonne nuclear warheads about 4000 kms.
    

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

A. 1 only

B. 2 and 3 only

C. 1 and 3 only

D. 1, 2 and 3