Why in News?
Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has successfully demonstrated the hypersonic air-breathing scramjet technology with the flight test of Hypersonic Technology Demonstrator Vehicle (HSTDV) from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Launch Complex at Wheeler Island, off the coast of Odisha.
Air-breathing engines use oxygen from the atmosphere in the combustion of fuel. They include the turbojet, turboprop, ramjet, and pulse-jet.
About Hypersonic Technology Demonstrator Vehicle
- The indigenously-developed hypersonic air-breathing scramjet technology with the flight test.
- Hypersonic speeds are normally defined as Mach 5 or above.
- Mach number is the speed at which an object travels exceed the speed of travels. Mach 1 is the speed of sound, which is approximately 760 miles per hour at sea level.
- India became the fourth country after the United States, Russia and China to develop and successfully test hypersonic technology
- Significance
- This indigenous technology will pave the way towards development of missiles travelling at six times the speed of sound.
- It is being developed as a carrier vehicle for hypersonic and long-range cruise missiles.
- It have multiple civilian applications including the launching of small satellites at low cost.
- The vehicle performed successfully on all the pre-determined parametres including the ability to handle combustion temperatures of over 2500 degrees Celsius as well as air speed.
- The launch vehicle was powered by solid propellant solid motor.
Defence Research and Development Organisation
- It is the R&D wing of Ministry of Defence under Govt of India.
- DRDO was formed in 1958 from the amalgamation of the then already functioning
- Technical Development Establishment (TDEs) of the Indian Army
- Directorate of Technical Development & Production (DTDP) with the Defence Science Organisation (DSO).
- It aims to achieve self-reliance in critical defence technologies and systems
- Also equipping our armed forces with state-of-the-art weapon systems and equipment in accordance with requirements laid down by the three Services.
Source : PIB
Topic
GS III : Achievements of Indians in science & technology; indigenization of technology and developing new technology.
Current Affairs Compilation : 8 September 2020