DRDO successfully tested the indigenously developed HSTDV along with several technologies

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) conducted the maiden test of an indigenously developed Hypersonic Technology Demonstrator Vehicle (HSTDV) along with several technologies on 12 June. 
The HSTDV missile was successfully launched from Dr Abdul Kalam Island off the coast of Odisha. The missile was tracked by various radars, telemetry stations and electro optical tracking sensors through 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 a hypersonic vehicle that will be powered by a scram-jet engine. The HSTDV demonstrated the performance of a scram-jet engine at an altitude of 15 km to 20 km. 

Scram-jet technology:
Scram-jet technology is dual-use technology. It will have multiple civilian applications when developed successfully. Scram-jet technology has the ability to fly at speeds in excess of Mach 6 while using atmospheric oxygen as oxidizer.
 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 the air it needs from the atmosphere during the flight at subsonic speeds and the propellants burn in the combustion chamber.

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