SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is pushing the boundaries of missile technology with the proposed Hypersonic Missile Development Program under Project Vishnu. As part of this initiative, DRDO has set its sights on developing two long-range hypersonic missile systems. One of the most anticipated outcomes is the creation of the Hypersonic Cruise Missile (HCM), designed to revolutionize India’s strike capabilities and offer a formidable deterrent.
The Hypersonic Cruise Missile (HCM) will have a range of 1,000 km, and DRDO aims for it to enter production by the late 2020s. Unlike traditional cruise missiles, hypersonic weapons travel at speeds exceeding Mach 5, making them nearly impossible to intercept. According to recent developments, DRDO is working to outpace Russia’s 3M22 Zircon, a nuclear-capable hypersonic cruise missile, by targeting a speed beyond Mach 9 for the Indian HCM.
DRDO’s goal is to develop a missile capable of achieving double-digit Mach speeds, making it extremely difficult to detect, let alone intercept, with current anti-missile defence systems. These advancements will mark a significant leap forward for India in the realm of missile technology, positioning the country among the few global players with operational hypersonic capabilities.
The HCM will be available in both land-based and naval ship-based variants. In the future, DRDO may also explore the development of a nuclear attack submarine-launched variant in the late 2030s.
The HCM will be a winged hypersonic cruise missile with a lift-generating centre body. A booster stage with solid-fuel engines will accelerate it to supersonic speeds. Subsequently, a scramjet motor with liquid fuel will propel the missile during its hypersonic cruise phase. The plasma cloud formed by the air pressure in front of the missile as it moves will absorb radio waves, making it difficult to detect by radar systems (plasma stealth).
In parallel to the HCM, DRDO is working on the Hypersonic Glide Vehicle (HGV), another aspect of Project Vishnu. However, DRDO officials have acknowledged that the HCM program presents even greater complexity compared to the HGV. The HCM’s combination of supersonic speeds, precision guidance, and advanced stealth technology pushes the boundaries of current missile engineering.
Despite the complexities, the DRDO Chief recently confirmed that the organization is targeting the next five years for significant development milestones in the HCM program. This timeline reflects DRDO’s commitment to rapidly advancing India’s hypersonic missile capabilities to meet future defence challenges.
Hypersonic missiles are increasingly seen as critical assets in modern warfare, with their speed, accuracy, and ability to penetrate enemy defences. Countries like the United States, China, and Russia are already heavily invested in hypersonic technology, making it a pivotal domain for strategic superiority.
For India, the development of an indigenous HCM under Project Vishnu represents a significant step toward bolstering its deterrence capabilities. Once operational, the HCM will not only enhance India’s missile arsenal but also provide a technological edge in high-stakes, multi-domain operations.
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