Self reliant push, DRDO successfully tests HSTDV (Video)

New Delhi:In what it could be called as a giant leap in indigenous defence technologies and significant milestone towards an Atmanirbhar Bharat, India on Monday successfully flight tested Hypersonic Technology Demonstrator Vehicle (HSTDV).

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has congratulated the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) for successfully flight testing the indigenously developed Hypersonic Technology Demonstrator Vehicle (HSTDV).He said that this technology is a landmark achievement towards realising PM's vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India).

"The @DRDO_India has today successfully flight tested the Hypersonic Technology Demonstrator Vehicle using the indigenously developed scramjet propulsion system. With this success, all critical  technologies are now established to progress to the next phase," Mr Singh said in a tweet..

In another tweet, he said, "I congratulate to DRDO on this landmark achievement towards realising PM's vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat. I spoke to the scientists associated with the project and congratulated them on this great achievement. India is proud of them."

With this mission, the DRDO has demonstrated capabilities for highly complex technology that will serve as the building block for NextGen Hypersonic vehicles in partnership with industry.

DRDO Chairman G Satheesh Reddy also congratulated all the Scientists, Researchers and other personnel related with HSTDV mission for their resolute and unwavering efforts towards strengthening Nation's defence capabilities.

The HSTDV is an unmanned scramjet demonstration aircraft for hypersonic speed flight, it can cruise at a speed of mach 6 and move up to an altitude of 32.5 km (20 miles) in 20 seconds, according to the government.Besides its utility for long-range cruise missiles of the future, the dual-use technology will have multiple civilian applications also.

It can be used for launching satellites at low cost too.The HSTDV can move up to an altitude of 32.5 km in 20 seconds and once it is achieved successfully, India will enter a select club of countries that have such technology.

The HSTDV cruise vehicle is mounted on a solid rocket motor, which will take it to a required altitude, and once it attains certain mach numbers for speed, the cruise vehicle will be ejected out of the launch vehicle.Subsequently, the scramjet engine will be ignited automatically.(UNI)