India successfully tested indigenous hypersonic technology

Defence Research and Development Organisation successfully flight tested the Hypersonic Technology Demonstrator Vehicle (HSTDV) from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Launch Complex at Wheeler Island off the coast of Odisha.

Daily Current Affairs Quiz 2020

Key-Points

The HSTDV, which operates on scramjet engines that can attain the speed of around Mach 6, has been developed by the DRDO.

The HSTDV is an unmanned scramjet demonstration aircraft for hypersonic speed flight. Hypersonic flight means a speed greater than five times the speed of sound (Mach 5).

Hypersonic missiles travel at speeds faster than 3,800 miles per hour or 6,115 km per hour, much faster than other ballistic and cruise missiles. They can deliver conventional or nuclear payloads within minutes.

A cruise missile either locates its target or has a preset target. It navigates using a guidance system such as inertial or beyond visual range satellite GPS guidance  and comprises a payload and aircraft propulsion system.