Hypersonic Glide Vehicle: Indian Air Force’s Next ‘Brahmastra’ That Can Strike the Enemy from 5,500 km Away
India is developing a powerful weapon in its defense sector that could prove deadly for enemies in the future. The country’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is working on a high-speed, state-of-the-art missile system known as the Hypersonic Glide Vehicle (HGV). Its speed is so high that it can fly at 21 times the speed of sound—about 25,900 km per hour.
Development of Game-Changer Technology
Recently, key information related to this DRDO project was shared during the foundation stone laying ceremony of the Kerala Spacepark. It was revealed that the HGV is being developed at the Advanced Systems Laboratory in Hyderabad. DRDO is building it in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) and private defense companies in India.
What Makes It Powerful?
The biggest advantage of this missile lies in its unmatched range and speed. It can strike targets more than 5,500 kilometers away and is capable of carrying both conventional and nuclear warheads.
The HGV has been designed to withstand extreme heat. For this, lightweight composite materials and an advanced thermal protection system have been used to resist the high temperatures generated at hypersonic speeds.
Enemy Defense Systems Will Be Useless
While traditional ballistic missiles follow a fixed trajectory, the HGV glides through the lower layers of the atmosphere after being launched via a booster rocket. This flight path helps it avoid detection by enemy radar and advanced defense systems. It can also dodge systems like China’s HQ-19 and the US’s THAAD. Its high speed and extended range leave the enemy with little to no time to react.
Can Be Launched from Multiple Platforms
The HGV can be launched from various platforms such as land-based mobile launchers and air-launch systems. In the future, it could also be deployed from Indian Navy submarines under Project 75I or the S5-class SSBNs.