A Hypersonic Technology Demonstrator Vehicle (HSTDV) was successfully flight tested by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) on September 7, 2020 from Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Launch Complex at Wheeler Island, off the coast of Odisha. Monitored by multiple tracking radars, electro-optical systems and Telemetry Stations. It is an unmanned scramjet vehicle, which can travel at six times the speed of sound, nearly two kilometres per second. The HSTDV tests the indigenously developed hypersonic air-breathing scramjet technology. The scramjets are a variant of air breathing jet engines and have the ability to handle airflows of speeds much higher than the speed of sound. Hypersonic speeds are five times (or more) higher than the speed of sound. At hypersonic speeds, the system has to handle very high fluctuating temperatures, as well as air speed, and thus, development of the material is one of the main challenges, among other complex technologies.
The vehicle was launched using a proven solid rocket motor, taking it to an altitude of 30 kilometres, where the aerodynamic heat shields were separated. The cruise vehicle separated from the launch vehicle and the air intake opened as planned. The critical events, like fuel injection and auto ignition of scramjet demonstrated technological maturity. The development in hypersonic systems will be of immense use in both the defence as well as the civilian sector.
The development is a giant leap in indigenous defence technologies and a significant milestone towards a Sashakt Bharat and Atmanirbhar Bharat. With this mission, the DRDO demonstrated capabilities for highly complex technology, which can serve as the building blocks for NextGen Hypersonic vehicles in partnership with the industry.
Multiple facilities from the Armament and Combat Engineering Cluster, two facilities from Pune—the High Energy Materials Research Laboratory and the Research & Development Establishment (Engineers) contributed towards the completion of the project.