India test-flies Hypersonic Technology Demonstrator Vehicle

The HSTDV, seen here from a test in September 2020, uses an Agni-1 short-range ballistic missile as the solid rocket booster to place the vehicle into the altitude needed to ensure the operation of the scramjet. (DRDO)

India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has conducted a flight test of the Hypersonic Technology Demonstrator Vehicle (HSTDV).

A DRDO official confirmed with Janes that the test was conducted from APJ Abdul Kalam Island off the northeastern coast of Odisha. However, the DRDO did not confirm the test results. It said it is assessing the test data and will share the results soon.

The HSTDV was tested for the third time with the current test. The first test flight of the HSTDV took place in June 2019. An Agni-1 short-range ballistic missile (SRBM) was used as the solid rocket booster to place the HSTDV into the altitude needed to ensure the operation of the scramjet.

However, a problem with the booster meant that the HSTDV did not reach the required operating altitude. A further test in September 2020 was more successful. The HSTDV achieved a powered flight duration of 20 seconds at an altitude of 31 km at Mach 6.

Janes reported in 2020 that the next tesing phase (third phase) “will include 600 seconds of controlled, sustained, powered flight to a distance of about 1,500 km while carrying a 300–400 kg payload”.

The current test was conducted on a weaponised vehicle with more control and guidance capabilities, the DRDO official added.

According to Janes Weapons: Air Launched,