Hypersonic Technology Demonstration Vehicle (HSTDV)

• Recently, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has successfully demonstrated the hypersonic air-breathing scramjet technology with the flight test of Hypersonic Technology Demonstration Vehicle (HSTDV) from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Launch Complex at Wheeler Island, off the coast of Odisha.

About HSTDV

• The Demonstrator Vehicle (HSTDV) is an unmanned scramjet demonstration aircraft for hypersonic speed flight, developed by India's DRDO. HSTDV is not a weapon itself but being developed as a carrier vehicle for hypersonic and long-range cruise missiles.
• The HSTDV cruise vehicle is mounted on a solid rocket motor, which takes it to a required altitude. Once it ....