India Tests Its First Hypersonic Missile at Night; Joins Exclusive Group of Nations

Nov 18, 2024, 14:21 IST

India has made a significant advancement in missile technology by successfully testing its first long-range hypersonic missile. The test took place at 6:55 pm from the Integrated Test Range (ITR) on Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Island, off the coast of Odisha. Check the key features of the missile.

The missile has been developed by the Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Missile Complex in Hyderabad.
The missile has been developed by the Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Missile Complex in Hyderabad.

India successfully launched its first long-range hypersonic missile on Saturday night, marking a major advancement in missile technology. It was launched at approximately 6:55 p.m. by the Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) from a mobile ground-based launcher at the Integrated Test Range (ITR), Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Island, off the coast of Odisha.

The missile has been developed by the Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Missile Complex in Hyderabad, along with other DRDO institutes. This is a major step in boosting the country's security capabilities.

DRDO's First Night Trial of Hypersonic Missile

This is the first time that DRDO has carried out an experimental test of a missile that was created and designed in the country during night hours. The hypersonic missile is designed to transport a variety of payloads across distances greater than 1,500 kilometers. 

With surprising success on its very first try, the missile launched from a canister and followed a predetermined trajectory.

India Joins the List of Elite Nations

With this successful test, India has joined the ranks of countries like the US, Russia, and China in mastering hypersonic technology. In 2020, India also tested the Hypersonic Technology Demonstrator Vehicle (HSTDV), reaching a speed of Mach 6.

Key Features of the Missile

Hypersonic technology has both military and civilian applications. It enhances India’s nuclear deterrence and shows the country’s growing self-reliance in defense and advanced technology.

The hypersonic missile is a prime example of advanced modern warfare technology. Its special features set it apart from other missiles:

Hypersonic Speed: This missile travels at speeds five times faster than sound (Mach 5), reaching up to 6,200 km/h. Its high speed makes it hard for enemy radars and defense systems to detect or intercept.

Long Range: The missile can strike targets over 1,500 km away, making it ideal for hitting distant enemy locations.

Agility: It can change its height and direction during the flight, making it extremely hard to stop or intercept by the enemy nations.

Flight Height: The missile can avoid radar detection and strike its target with precision, by flying at low altitudes.

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The @DRDO_India has successfully conducted a flight trial of its long range hypersonic missile on 16th Nov 2024 from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island, off-the-coast of Odisha.

Raksha Mantri Shri @rajnathsingh has congratulated DRDO, Armed Forces and the Industry for successful flight… pic.twitter.com/wq7yM2YS9f

— रक्षा मंत्री कार्यालय/ RMO India (@DefenceMinIndia) November 17, 2024

Vidhee Tripathi
Vidhee Tripathi

Content Writer

Vidhee Tripathi completed her PG Diploma degree in Digital Media from Indian Institute of Mass Communication, New Delhi. She is a graduate in Science with chemistry honors from Banaras Hindu University. She has 2 years of experience in various aspects of journalism. She was previously associated with the social media wing of Akashvani. At jagranjosh.com, currently she covers current affairs, national news and international news. She is also associated with the education news section of Jagran Josh.

Certificate: Creative Writing, Problem Solving, Web Content Writing
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