What Are Hypersonic Missiles? New Tests Conducted By DRDO, Check All Details Here!

Hypersonic missiles are the future of military technology, capable of flying at Mach 5, or five times the speed of sound. Such missiles have attracted the attention of major military powers because of their high speed, maneuverability and low-altitude flight profile that allow them to evade existing missile defense systems.

Recently, India’s Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) took an important step in this field by successfully testing the active cooling of the scramjet combustion chamber, which is an important milestone for the next generation of hypersonic missiles.

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What is a hypersonic missile?

Hypersonic missiles are advanced weapons systems that fly at speeds in excess of Mach 5. Its unique features include:

Speed: Hypersonic missiles can fly at speeds in excess of Mach 5 and therefore reach their targets faster than ordinary missiles.

Mobility: Ballistic missiles are known to have predictable trajectories; however, hypersonic missiles can change course in mid-air. This makes it difficult for interceptors to catch up to it.

Altitude: It flies at a relatively lower altitude than conventional missiles, allowing it to evade radar detection.

All these capabilities make hypersonic missiles a serious threat to existing air defense systems.

DRDO recent tests

On January 22, 2025, DRDO successfully conducted a ground test of the actively cooled combustion chamber of a scramjet engine. This was the first such test in India and lasted for 120 seconds. Defense Minister Rajnath Singh emphasized that this marks an important milestone in India’s efforts to develop hypersonic missiles.

Key details of the test

Duration: Burner test 120 seconds.

Technology: It is an air-breathing scramjet engine with moving parts that allows for supersonic combustion.

Achievements: Tests demonstrated ignition and sustained combustion, key requirements for operating hypersonic vehicles.

The significance of scramjet technology

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The scramjet engine is the core technology of hypersonic missiles. It is an engine that can achieve high-speed and efficient combustion and is the basis for the development of hypersonic aircraft. According to DRDO officials, “Keeping the ignition in a scramjet is like keeping a candle lit in a hurricane.”

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Advantages of local development

Endothermic scramjet fuel, indigenously developed by DRDL and industry partners, is at the heart of this breakthrough. This fuel provides:

Cooling Improvements: Enhanced cooling capabilities are critical to maintaining engine performance at hypersonic speeds.

Easy Ignition: Simplified ignition process contributes to more reliable engine operation.

Some countries, including the United States, Russia, China and India, are actively developing hypersonic technology. The race to develop these advanced systems highlights their strategic importance in modern warfare.

feature	hypersonic missile	traditional missile
speed	> Mach 5
flight path	High mobility	predictable
high	low	high
defense evasion ability	high	ease

DRDO’s successful test of an actively cooled combustor is a crucial step in advancing India’s hypersonic missile technological capabilities. As countries continue to invest in this area, the impact on global military dynamics will be profound.

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Source: https://dinhtienhoang.edu.vn
Category: Optical Illusion