Under Project Vishnu, DRDO has developed the ET-LDHCM (Extended Trajectory – Long Duration Hypersonic Cruise Missile).
DRDO ET-LDHCM: In a significant development in India’s internal security needs, India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has developed a new hypersonic missile called ET-LDHCM (Extended Trajectory – Long Duration Hypersonic Cruise Missile) under a confidential project reportedly named ‘Project Vishnu’. Here are all the details you need to know about Extended Trajectory – Long Duration Hypersonic Cruise Missile.
Why is ET-LDHCM dangerous?
As per media reports, the new Extended Trajectory – Long Duration Hypersonic Cruise Missile will be able to travel at speeds up to Mach 8 (approximately 9,800 to 11,000 km/h) and is designed for a range of around 1,500 km. Reports also say that if experts confirm the specifications, the missile would place it well above current cruise missile capabilities like BrahMos in both speed and range.
India speeds up work on bunker-buster warhead for Agni missile with eye on underground targets
Meanwhile, in another significant development, India speeded up efforts to develop advanced bunker-buster warheads as part of a variant of the Agni missile system that is capable of penetrating high-value enemy targets that are fortified deep under the ground and cannot be destroyed with conventional weapons.
According to a report by news agency IANS, the move has been expedited following the success of the US strikes against Iran’s nuclear facilities that were buried deep beneath the earth in the mountainside and covered with reinforced concrete.
DRDO successfully conducts scramjet engine ground test
DRDO has successfully done a cutting-edge Active Cooled Scramjet Combustor (engine) ground test for 120 seconds for the first time in India. An official said that it marks a crucial milestone in developing next-generation hypersonic missiles.
What are Hypersonic missiles?
Hypersonic missiles are a class of advanced weaponry that travel at speeds greater than Mach 5 which is five times the speed of sound or more than 5,400 km/hr. These advanced weapons have the potential to bypass existing Air Defence Systems and deliver rapid and high-impact strikes.
(With inputs from agencies)
