In recent news, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) of India successfully tested its Hypersonic Technology Demonstrator Vehicle (HSTDV). This significant achievement marks a forward step in the exploration of hypersonic technology and places India on the global stage as one of the few countries to possess this advanced technology.
Hypersonic Technology Demonstrator Vehicle (HSTDV)
The HSTDV is an unmanned scramjet demonstration aircraft capable of achieving hypersonic speed. The vehicle utilizes a specific type of technology known as hypersonic air-breathing scramjet technology which allows it to travel at high rates of speed. In the recent test, the vehicle followed its desired flight path at a velocity of six times the speed of sound, also known as Mach 6.
Mach Number
The Mach number is a term that refers to an aircraft’s relative speed compared to the speed of sound in the air. Mach 1, for example, is equivalent to the speed of sound, measured at 343 metres per second. Therefore, the HSTDV’s velocity at Mach 6 demonstrates a phenomenal speed capacity.
Air Breathing Engine
Air-breathing engines, including the turbojet, turboprop, ramjet, and pulse-jet, function by utilizing oxygen from the atmosphere during the combustion of fuel. This system offers a lighter, more efficient and cost-effective alternative to other systems currently in use. The development of air breathing engines for satellite launch vehicles is currently a global endeavour due to their potential for reusability and significant cost reduction.
Types of Air Breathing Engines
Among various types of air-breathing engines are the ramjet and scramjet. Ramjets use the vehicle’s forward motion to compress incoming air for combustion without a rotating compressor. However, they function most efficiently at supersonic speeds but are not as efficient at hypersonic speeds. Therefore, the scramjet engine, which can operate efficiently at hypersonic speeds and allows for supersonic combustion, is a significant improvement.
Test Location and Implications
The HSTDV was tested from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Launch Complex located on APJ Abdul Kalam island off the coast of Odisha. With the successful testing of the HSTDV, India has become the fourth country to demonstrate this technology, following the USA, Russia, and China.
Pros and Cons of HSTDV
The development of hypersonic vehicles presents enormous advantages. These include a potential application in the development of long-range cruise missiles for defense purposes, including both offensive and defensive hypersonic cruise missile systems. Due to their incalculable speed, such vehicles would be practically invisible to most RADAR systems and could penetrate most missile defence systems. It will also bolster advancements in the space sector, particularly in developing low-cost, high-efficiency reusable satellites. However, one major obstacle to this technology is the high cost involved its development and deployment.
Background and Future Prospects
The development of the HSTDV engine by DRDO began in the early 2010s. The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has also worked on developing this technology and successfully tested a system in 2016. While the recent test marks a critical milestone, several more rounds of tests are needed to achieve a level of technology comparable to advanced nations like the US, Russia, and China. Despite these challenges, the successful demonstration of the HSTDV is an essential step towards achieving self-reliance or “Atmanirbhar Bharat”. The DRDO’s mission demonstrates its capabilities for complex technology and will serve as the building block for NextGen Hypersonic vehicles in partnership with industries.