India Successfully Tests Hypersonic Missile: Strikes Targets 1,500 km Away at Mach 8
According to the Economic Times, India has reportedly conducted a test of a new hypersonic missile capable of traveling at speeds eight times faster than sound and hitting targets up to 1,500 kilometers away. This missile, known as the Extended Trajectory Long Duration Hypersonic Cruise Missile (ET-LDHCM), is part of the Defence Research and Development Organisation’s (DRDO) Project Vishnu and surpasses the current BrahMos cruise missile both in speed and range.
The test occurs against a backdrop of escalating global tensions, including the ongoing Israel-Iran conflict and deteriorating India-Pakistan relations. As Turkey becomes more aligned with Pakistan, India is ramping up its defense modernization efforts. This includes advancements in missile systems like BrahMos, Agni-5, and Akash.
Hypersonic Capabilities Mark a Strategic Leap
The ET-LDHCM is equipped with a scramjet engine using air-breathing propulsion, which depends on atmospheric oxygen instead of a conventional rotating compressor. This design enables the missile to achieve Mach 8, approximately 11,000 km/h, significantly exceeding the Mach 3 speed of about 3,675 km/h achieved by BrahMos.
Additionally, its range is a significant advancement from the original 290 km of BrahMos, later extended to approximately 450 km, to a new capability of 1,500 km. This combination of high speed and extended range enhances India's strategic strike capabilities.
Designed for Stealth, Precision, and Flexibility
Capable of carrying a payload between 1,000 to 2,000 kilograms, the missile is designed to deliver both conventional and nuclear warheads. Its low-altitude flight capability enables it to evade radar detection, and its precise targeting allows for strikes on critical infrastructure in challenging terrains.
The ET-LDHCM can be launched from land, sea, or air platforms, and its ability to change its trajectory mid-flight provides adaptability in dynamic combat situations.
Built for Extreme Conditions
The missile is designed to withstand extreme thermal stress, maintaining performance stability at temperatures reaching up to 2,000°C during hypersonic travel. This feature is essential for maintaining speed and accuracy.
Currently, only Russia, the United States, and China possess operational hypersonic cruise missile technology. If India's ET-LDHCM test is successful, the country would become part of this exclusive group of nations with indigenous hypersonic capabilities.
With the ET-LDHCM, India aims to bolster its deterrence strategy, particularly concerning Pakistan, and counter China's increasing influence in the Indo-Pacific region.
