India on Monday successfully flight tested the indigenously-developed Hypersonic Technology Demonstrator Vehicle (HSTDV) for the first time from the Dr Abdul Kalam Island testing range (Wheeler Island) in Balasore, Odisha.
The technology has been developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). India became the fourth country after the United States, Russia and China to develop and successfully test this technology.
In a tweet, DRDO said, “In a historic mission today, India successfully flight tested Hypersonic Technology Demonstrator Vehicle (HSTDV), a giant leap in indigenous defence technologies and significant milestone towards a #sashaktbharat and #atmanirbharbharat.”
The hypersonic cruise vehicle was launched using a proven solid rocket motor, which took it to an altitude of 30 km, where the aerodynamic heat shields were separated at hypersonic Mach number. The cruise vehicle separated from the launch vehicle and the air intake opened as planned.
The hypersonic combustion sustained and the cruise vehicle continued its desired flight path at a velocity of six times the speed of sound i.e. nearly 2 km/s for more than 20 seconds.
The DRDO Chairman congratulated all the scientists, researchers and other personnel-related with #HSTDV mission for “their resolute and unwavering efforts towards strengthening Nation’s defence capabilities.”
Defence minister Rajnath Singh also congratulated the DRDO after the test.
