New Delhi: The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is set to conduct a test of the Extended Trajectory – Long Duration Hypersonic Cruise Missile (ET-LDHCM), India’s most advanced hypersonic missile to date. The missile is capable of speeds exceeding Mach 8 (around 11,000 km/h), enabling it to travel five times faster than the speed of sound.
Developed based on the Hypersonic Technology Demonstrator Vehicle (HSTDV) successfully tested in 2020 off the Odisha coast, the ET-LDHCM was most recently tested in November 2024. With a range exceeding 1,500 kilometers, the missile can target locations across Pakistan and significant parts of China.
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The ET-LDHCM is designed for multi-domain deployment, capable of launch from air, land, and sea platforms. It features a scramjet engine that combusts fuel using atmospheric oxygen, allowing sustained hypersonic flight. DRDO recently completed a successful 1,000-second ground test of this engine, marking a critical milestone.
Equipped to carry both nuclear and conventional warheads weighing between 1,000 to 2,000 kilograms, the missile incorporates heat-resistant materials that withstand temperatures up to 2,000°C and an anti-oxidation coating to endure extreme thermal stress.
Its low-altitude, high-speed trajectory enhances its ability to evade radar detection, enabling precision strikes against enemy bunkers, radar installations, naval vessels, and military bases. The ET-LDHCM’s advanced capabilities significantly strengthen India’s strategic and tactical missile arsenal.