The Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) is soon to test the Extendant Trajectory – Long Duration Hypersonic Cruise Missile (ET -LDHCM). This missile project is part of Vishnu. It is considered to be India’s most advanced hypersonic technology. The specialty of this missile is such that it can become a big threat to enemies. Let us know what is the ET-LDHCM, its characteristics and why it is important for India.
What is ET-LDHCM?
ET -LDHCM i.e. Extended Trajectory – Long Duration Hypersonic Cruise missile is a missile that can fly more than 5 times faster (Mac 5). The missile is based on the hypersonic technology Demonstrator Vehicle (HSTDV), which has been successfully tested in 2020.
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- Test date: It was first successful on the coast of Odisha in November 2024. The next test is expected to be done soon.
- place: Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Island, Odisha.
- Objective: To make the enemy’s bases a rapid and accurate target from long distances.
Specialty of ET-LDHCM
The ET-LDHCM missile is one of the world’s most advanced missiles due to its speed, range, and technology. Its main features are given below …
Fast speed: This missile can fly at a speed of more than Mac 8 (about 11,000 km/h). That is, it can cover more than 3 km in 1 second. Due to such high speed, enemy radars do not catch it.
Long range: Its firepower is more than 1,500 km. It can target a large part of the entire Pakistan and China. It can be fired from air, ground and sea.
Scramjet Engine: The missile has a scumjet engine, which burns fuel by taking oxygen from the air. With this, it can fly at hypersonic speed for a long time. In 2025, DRDO conducted a successful ground test of the scumjet engine for 1000 seconds.
Radar ability to avoid: This missile flies on low-altitude (low height). The path can change, which makes it difficult to track or stop it. It has an anti-oxidation coating and heat-resistant materials, which tolerate excessive heat (up to 2,000 ° C).
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Various payloads: This missile can carry both nuclear and non-atomic weapons. It is capable of carrying a payload of 1000-2000 kg.
Indigenous technology: The missile has been built by DRDO and industry partners at Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam missile complex of Hyderabad. This is completely part of Make in India.
What is the work of ET-LDHCM?
ET-LDHCM is a multirol missile, which can be used in many types of missions. Its main tasks are … destroying enemy’s locations. This missile can make the enemy bunker, radar stations, ships and military locations accurately target. Its rapid speed and the ability to avoid radar make it ideal for anti-ship and land-attacth mission.
Increasing strategic strength: This missile gives India a strategic lead against neighbors like China and Pakistan. It can penetrate the enemy’s air defense system.
Help in disaster management: Missile technology can also help in areas such as satellite launch and weather monitoring in future. Like the Gaganyaan Mission, it will promote India’s space and defense technology.
Why is ET-LDHCM important?
ET-LDHCM is important for India for many reasons …
Global strength: With this missile, India has joined the category of countries like Russia, China and America, which has hypersonic technology. It makes India the fifth country, which has such a missile.
Self -reliance in defense: ET-LDHCM is completely indigenous, which is a symbol of Make in India and self-sufficient India. This will reduce dependence on foreign weapons.
Challenge for neighbors: Its 1,500 km range and 11,000 km/h speeds it a big threat to China and Pakistan. It can target cities like Karachi or Beijing in minutes.
Economic and Technical Benefits: Thousands of jobs will be created by the development of missiles. Techniques such as scramjet and hypersonic wind tunnel will be useful in civilian and space sector in future.
Strategic importance: ET-LDHCM shows India’s strength amidst tension on the Indo-China border and Pakistan’s missile testing in the Arabian Sea. Defense Minister Rajnath Singh described it as a historic achievement.
Last test and future
- 2020: DRDO conducted the first successful test of HSTDV, in which the missile achieved a speed of 7,500 km/h.
- 27 January 2024: The second test of HSTDV was held on the Odisha coast, but the results were kept secret.
- 16 November 2024: The first flight test of ET-LDHCM was done from Abdul Kalam Island in Odisha.
- 2025: DRDO is preparing for the next test, in which the range and accuracy of the missile will be improved further.
- Future: DRDO is also working on other hypersonic missiles like BrahMos-2, which will have a range of 600 km and speed will be 6,000-8,000 km/h.