India test fires hypersonic glide vehicle HSTDV, becomes only the fourth nation to do so after the U

The Indian Defense Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has achieved yet another milestone with the successful test flight of the High-Speed Technology Demonstrator Vehicle (HSTDV) using an indigenously developed propulsion system.

The test marks an important phase in nearing the goal of having hypersonic delivery platforms, which include development as a carrier vehicle for cruise missiles and civilian applications including the launching of satellites at a lower cost.

The technology will give it a significant edge and will be one of the only few countries in the world to possess such technology. However, still in development, the specifications indicate that it can cruise at a speed of Mach 6 and can move up to the altitude of 32.5 kilometers in 20 seconds, according to the government.

According to the reports, the HSTDV cruise vehicle is mounted on a solid rocket motor, which will take it to a required altitude, and once it attains a certain speed, the cruise vehicle will be ejected out of the launch vehicle. Subsequently, the scramjet engine will be ignited automatically.

The Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday congratulated the DRDO for this success. He tweeted, “The @DRDO_India has today successfully flight tested the Hypersonic Technology Demonstrator Vehicle using the indigenously developed scramjet propulsion system. With this success, all critical technologies are now established to progress to the next phase.”

Singh also added that the development of an indigenous scramjet engine will help India achieve its goal of self-reliance in defense impedimenta and developing crucial technologies.

“I congratulate to DRDO on this landmark achievement towards realizing PM’s vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat. I spoke to the scientists associated with the project and congratulated them on this great achievement. India is proud of them,” he said.

EurAsian Times had earlier reported about the NOTAM issued in the Bay of Bengal for a flight test and predicted its possibilities of being an HSTDV test flight. The hypersonic vehicle will provide India with enhanced and futuristic strategic strike capabilities in the military realm along with civilian use.