India today successfully flight-tested a Hypersonic Technology Demonstrator Vehicle (HSTDV), demonstrating the nation’s capabilities for highly complex technology that will serve as the building block for NextGen hypersonic vehicles in partnership with industry. The hypersonic air-breathing scramjet technology has been indigenously developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
DRDO successfully carried out the test-flight of the Hypersonic Technology Demonstration Vehicle at 1103 hours from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Launch Complex at Wheeler Island in Balasore, off the Odisha coast. 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.....MORE
