TheDefence
Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)conducted the
maiden test of anindigenously
developed Hypersonic Technology Demonstrator Vehicle (HSTDV)along
with several technologies on 12 June.
The HSTDV missile was successfully launched fromDr Abdul Kalam Island off the
coast of Odisha.The missile was tracked by variousradars, telemetry stations and electro
optical tracking sensorsthrough its course. It HSTDV
being developed by DRDO with assistance from Israel and the UK and Russia.
Aim:
The project aims to serve multiple military
and civil purposes. It also intends to develop ahypersonic vehiclethat will
be powered by ascram-jet
engine. The HSTDV demonstrated the performance of a scram-jet
engine at an altitude of15
km to 20 km.
Scram-jet
technology:
Scram-jet technology isdual-use technology.It
will have multiple civilian applications when developed successfully.Scram-jet technologyhas
the ability to fly at speeds in excess ofMach
6while usingatmospheric
oxygenasoxidizer.
It will also be available for long-range
cruise missiles. The combustion of fuel takes place in a chamber in the
missile at supersonic speeds, in scram-jet technology. It can be used for
launching satellites at low cost.
Till now, India is using ram jet system. In ranm
jet system, the system collects theair
it needs from the atmosphereduring the flight at subsonic
speeds and thepropellants
burnin thecombustion
chamber.
