Hypersonic Technology Demonstrator Vehicle

HEADLINES:

DRDO successfully flight tests Hypersonic Technology Demonstrator Vehicle

WHY IN NEWS:

Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has successfully demonstrated the hypersonic air-breathing scramjet technology .
The flight test of Hypersonic Technology Demonstration Vehicle (HSTDV) at 1103 hours from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Launch Complex at Wheeler Island, off the coast of Odisha today.

MINISTRY? :-Ministry of Defence

SYLLABUS COVERED: GS 3:Defence : DRDO

LEARNING:

For PRELIMS go through the features and significance of this launch . Note down the successfully tested technologies.

For MAINS add this event in your Mains book . This is a major breakthrough . We have attained self-reliance in hypersonic vehicles.

ISSUE:

On this successful demonstration, the country enters into the hypersonic regime paving way for advanced hypersonic Vehicles.

Hypersonic cruise vehicle test puts India in elite club .
DRDO says it will help develop hypersonic cruise missiles.

WHAT ARE HYPERSONIC VEHICLES

Hypersonic vehicles fly faster than five times the speed of sound .
This can enable faster access to space, rapid military response at long range, and even commercial air travel.
Traditionally, rocket boosters have been used for hypersonic vehicles.
A hypersonic vehicle can be an airplane, missile, or spacecraft.

Some hypersonic vehicles have a special type of jet engine called a Supersonic Combustion Ramjet.

Sometimes, a hypersonic plane uses a rocket engine.
A Re-entry Vehicle is another type of Hypersonic Vehicle.

HYPERSONIC TECHNOLOGY DEMONSTRATION VEHICLE (HSTDV)

The hypersonic cruise vehicle was launched using a proven solid rocket motor.

HSTDV motor took it to an altitude of 30 kilometres (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.
The hypersonic combustion sustained and the cruise vehicle continued on its desired flight path at a velocity of six times the speed of sound i.e., nearly 02 km/second for more than 20 seconds.
The critical events like fuel injection and auto ignition of scramjet demonstrated technological maturity.
The scramjet engine performed in a text book manner.

Hypersonic Technology Demonstrator Vehicle | UPSC

MONITORING

The parameters of launch and cruise vehicle, including scramjet engine was monitored by multiple tracking radars, electro-optical systems and Telemetry Stations.

The scramjet engine worked at high dynamic pressure and at very high temperature.

A Ship was also deployed in the Bay of Bengal to monitor the performance during the cruise phase of hypersonic vehicle.
All the performance parameters have indicated a resounding success of the mission.

HSTDV PROVED THE FOLLOWING CRITICAL TECHNOLOGIES

Aerodynamic configuration for hypersonic manoeuvers
Use of scramjet propulsion for ignition

Sustained combustion at hypersonic flow

Thermo-structural characterisation of high temperature materials
Separation mechanism at hypersonic velocities.

IASbhai WINDUP:

MAJOR BREAKTHROUGH

With this technology, cruise missiles could now travel at hypersonic speeds.
Scramjet engine is a major breakthrough.

Air goes inside the engine at supersonic speed and comes out at hypersonic speeds.

The vehicle reaches a certain altitude, then cruises and also reaches very high temperatures, up to 1,000°-2,000° Celsius, during re-entry.
After the Anti-Satellite Test, this is the biggest achievement recently.
The scramjet engine performed in a textbook manner.
It worked at high dynamic pressure and at very high temperature.

STRENGTHENING DEFENCE CAPABILITIES

Secretary Department of Defence R&D and Chairman DRDO Dr G Satheesh Reddy congratulated all the Scientists and Researchers .
HSTDV mission is an example of resolute and unwavering efforts towards strengthening Nation’s defence capabilities.

SOURCES:THE HINDU & PIB | Hypersonic Technology Demonstrator Vehicle | UPSC

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