SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has once again captured global attention with its Dhvani Blended Wing Body Hypersonic Glide Vehicle (HGV) program, following the recent unveiling of a full-scale model. Measuring nearly 9 meters in length with a width of 2.5 meters, the Dhvani HGV showcases India’s advancements in hypersonic technology, a domain previously dominated by global powers like the United States, Russia, and China.
While the DRDO has closely guarded the exact range of the Dhvani, exclusive insights obtained by idrw.org suggest that its reach surpasses the claimed 5,500 km range of the Agni-V missile.
The recent display of the full-scale model of the Dhvani HGV has provided a glimpse into its impressive design. With a length of nearly 9 meters and a width of 2.5 meters, the blended wing body configuration enhances aerodynamic efficiency, offering a higher lift-to-drag (L/D) ratio compared to traditional conical designs. This design choice not only improves range but also ensures stability and maneuverability at hypersonic speeds exceeding Mach 5 (approximately 6,200 km/h at sea level).
Hypersonic Glide Vehicles (HGVs) like the Dhvani are launched into the upper atmosphere or low Earth orbit by multi-stage boosters, after which they glide unpowered through the atmosphere. Their ability to manoeuvre during flight makes them unpredictable and challenging for missile defence systems to intercept. The Dhvani’s blended wing body design, combined with its robust booster system, suggests optimization for both range and survivability, enabling it to evade defences through its erratic flight path and high speed.
The Agni-V, India’s premier intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), has long been credited with a range of approximately 5,500 km, capable of reaching targets across much of Asia and parts of Europe. However, idrw.org has revealed that the Dhvani HGV’s range surpasses this benchmark, with a conservative estimate placing it between 6,000 and 10,000 km. This leap in capability is attributed to the HGV’s unique flight profile, which combines an initial ballistic boost phase with an extended glide phase, allowing it to cover vast distances while maintaining hypersonic speeds.
The estimated range of 6,000–10,000 km aligns with intercontinental capabilities, enabling the Dhvani HGV to strike targets across Asia, Europe, and even parts of North America from launch sites in India. This extended reach would allow India to project power globally, delivering conventional or strategic payloads with precision and speed, thereby enhancing its deterrence posture in an increasingly volatile geopolitical landscape.
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