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New Delhi: India has tested a missile called ET-LDHCM. It is a new hypersonic missile that can travel at Mach 8 (9878 km/h) and strike targets 1,500 kilometres away. This new hypersonic ET-LDHCM missile has been developed by DRDO. This test is part of India’s pursuit of modern and better weapons. The new missile is designed for stealth, precision, and flexibility.

What’s unique about this missile?

The Extended Trajectory Long Duration Hypersonic Cruise Missile (ET-LDHCM) significantly outperforms and beats the BrahMos cruise missile. India has tested this missile as major conflicts are going on in the world including Russia-Ukraine war and Israel-Iran conflict. Also, India and Pakistan were engaged in fierce military conflict during Operation Sindoor in which Turkey and China were on the enemy’s side.

Apart from this defence modernisation, India is enhancing the missile systems such as BrahMos, Agni-5, and Akash.

India’s hypersonic capabilities take huge stride

The ET-LDHCM is powered by a scramjet engine that uses air-breathing propulsion, relying on atmospheric oxygen rather than a traditional rotating compressor. This allows the missile to reach Mach 8 (9878 km/h) compared to BrahMos’ Mach 3 speed (3705 km/h).

This system has a much longer range than BrahMos’ 450 km. it can strike as far as 1,500 km. This combination of speed and extended reach enhances India’s strategic strike range.

Designed for stealth, precision, and flexibility

The ET-LDHCM hypersonic missile can be launched from land, sea, and air and its ability to alter its path mid-flight gives it adaptability in dynamic battlefield conditions.

It can carry a payload of 1,000 to 2,000 kilograms and is designed to deliver both conventional and nuclear warheads. Its low-altitude flight capability helps it avoid radar detection, while its high targeting precision allows it to strike critical infrastructure in difficult terrains.

Designed to work in extreme conditions

The missile is designed to endure extreme thermal stress, with performance stability maintained at temperatures up to 2,000°C during hypersonic travel. This capability provides sustained speed and accuracy.

Currently, only Russia, the United States, and China have operational hypersonic cruise missile technology. If India’s ET-LDHCM test proves successful, it would join this small and elite group of nations with indigenous hypersonic weapon systems.

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