China is emerging as the global frontrunner in hypersonic missile technology, taking the lead ahead of both the United States and Russia
Chinese DF-27 missiles
China is emerging as the global frontrunner in hypersonic missile technology, taking the lead ahead of both the United States and Russia, while India accelerates its efforts to keep pace.
The competition for hypersonic armaments is becoming more intense. On January 21, India achieved a significant milestone by successfully conducting a ground run for an active-cooled scramjet combustor. This success follows India's recent test of its first long-range hypersonic missile, which was developed domestically.
On November 16, 2024, India conducted the test launch of a long-range hypersonic missile capable of delivering various payloads over distances exceeding 1500 kilometers. With this accomplishment, the Defense Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has showcased its ability to create an active cooled scramjet combustor, a crucial component for hypersonic vehicles.
Hypersonic technology combines extreme speed, agility, and the ability to fly at low altitudes, rendering these weapons more challenging to track and target. Unlike conventional ballistic missiles, hypersonic weapons do not follow a predictable ballistic path; instead, they possess the capability to maneuver toward their targets. Hypersonic cruise missiles can achieve speeds surpassing Mach 5, exceeding 5,400 kilometers per hour.
Hypersonic weapons fall primarily into two categories: hypersonic glide vehicles that are launched from rockets and glide toward their targets, and hypersonic cruise missiles that utilize high-speed, air-breathing engines, known as scramjets, after acquiring their targets.
Scramjets are advanced air-breathing engines that can maintain combustion at supersonic speeds without the need for moving parts. According to the DRDO, the recent ground test of the scramjet combustor highlighted several significant advancements, including successful ignition and stable combustion, demonstrating its potential for operational use in hypersonic systems.
The global pursuit of hypersonic weaponry is rapidly escalating. The US Department of Defense has identified China as the leader in hypersonic technology, having outpaced both the US and Russia in the development of conventional and nuclear-capable hypersonic systems. Reports from recent intelligence leaks indicate that the People's Liberation Army successfully tested its DF-27 intermediate-range ballistic missile equipped with a hypersonic glide vehicle in 2023, allowing it to easily bypass missile defense systems.
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