DRDO's Hypersonic Glide Missile LR-AShM Makes Grand Debut at Republic Day Parade
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) showcased its cutting-edge Long Range Anti-Ship Hypersonic Missile (LR-AShM) at the 77th Republic Day parade on Kartavya Path, marking its first public display. This advanced missile system, designed to meet the coastal battery requirements of the Indian Navy, represents a significant leap in India's defence capabilities and strategic deterrence.
Features and Capabilities of the LR-AShM Hypersonic Glide Missile
The LR-AShM is a hypersonic glide missile capable of engaging both static and moving targets, with a range of approximately 1500 kilometers. It follows a quasi-ballistic trajectory, achieving hypersonic speeds starting at Mach 10 and maintaining an average of Mach 5 through multiple skips. This design allows it to fly at low altitudes with high speed and manoeuvrability, making it difficult for enemy ground and ship-based radars to detect and effectively counter adversary missile defence systems.
Key technical aspects of the LR-AShM include:
- Two-stage solid propulsion rocket motor system: This system boosts the missile to required hypersonic velocities, with Stage-I separating after use, and Stage-II enabling an unpowered glide with manoeuvres before target engagement.
- High aerodynamic efficiency: As noted by a DRDO scientist, the missile moves through the air with minimal drag while generating effective lift and control, allowing for farther, faster, and more accurate flight using the same energy.
- Versatile payload capacity: Designed to carry various payloads, enhancing its operational flexibility.
Strategic Significance and Future Developments
The strategic impact of the LR-AShM is profound, particularly in the Indian Ocean region. Its hypersonic speed and range enable it to cover 1500 kilometers in just 15 minutes, providing a rapid response capability. A senior DRDO scientist highlighted that this missile can neutralise all classes of warships, making it a key asset for sea denial operations—preventing adversaries from using maritime areas for military or commercial purposes.
Looking ahead, the DRDO is developing versions with ranges up to 3500 kilometers, currently in various stages of development. Additionally, Army and Air Force versions, as well as ship-fired variants for the Navy, are under consideration or development. This versatility positions India prominently in the global hypersonic arms domain.
Notably, a successful test of the missile was conducted on November 16, 2024, from the Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island off the coast of Odisha. Further development will integrate warhead and sensor mechanisms before induction into the Navy within the next two to three years. The missile incorporates key components from the submarine-launched ballistic missile Sagarika (K-15) and the Brahmos supersonic cruise missile, leveraging indigenous technologies in materials and control systems.
Other Hypersonic Technologies: Hypersonic Cruise Missiles
Amidst intense global competition in hypersonic weapons, DRDO is advancing two key technologies: hypersonic glide and hypersonic cruise. While the LR-AShM is a hypersonic glide vehicle, hypersonic cruise missiles fly within the atmosphere using scramjet engines for sustained powered flight and manoeuvrability at hypersonic speeds.
Recent milestones include DRDO's ground test of its Actively Cooled Scramjet Full Scale Combustor earlier this month, achieving a run time of over 12 minutes. This builds on previous tests, such as the subscale test on April 25 last year for more than 1000 seconds, and the successful demonstration of hypersonic air-breathing scramjet technology with the Hypersonic Technology Demonstration Vehicle in September 2020.
In summary, the debut of the LR-AShM at the Republic Day parade underscores India's growing prowess in hypersonic missile technology, enhancing national security and strategic influence in the region.
