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Source: This post on India’s First Long-Range Hypersonic Missile has been created based on the article “DRDO carries out successful flight-trial of India’s first long-range hypersonic missile off the Odisha coast” published in pib on 19th November 2024.
Why in news?
Recently, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully conducted a flight trial of India’s first long-range hypersonic missile.
About the missile
A long-range hypersonic missile is capable of travelling at speeds exceeding Mach 5 (five times the speed of sound) over extended distances, typically beyond 1,500 kilometres.
India’s first long-range hypersonic missile is indigenously developed by DRDO laboratories, led by the Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Missile Complex, Hyderabad.
Key Features of the Hypersonic Missile
1. Range & Payload: It is capable of carrying various payloads over distances exceeding 1,500 kilometers.
2. Tracking Systems: It is monitored by an array of advanced tracking systems deployed across multiple domains.
3. Performance Metrics: Terminal maneuvers and impact were confirmed with a high degree of accuracy through data from downrange ship stations.
4. Global Implications: This achievement underscores India’s growing expertise in critical and advanced military technology, cementing its place among nations with hypersonic weapon capabilities.
UPSC Syllabus: Science and technology
