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China’s Hypersonic Glide Vehicle Test

Posted on October 18, 2021 by admin1  66

In News

  • China in August tested a nuclear-capable hypersonic glide vehicle that circled the globe before speeding towards its target. 
    • It was claimed by a report in the London-based Financial Times, citing various sources.

Test as Per the Report

  • The Chinese military launched a rocket that carried a hypersonic glide vehicle, which flew through low-orbit space before cruising down towards its target. 
    • Hypersonic speeds are 5 or more times the speed of sound (5 Mach)
  • The weapon was developed by: 
    • China Academy of Aerospace Aerodynamics (CAAA)
      • It is under the state-owned China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation.
      • It makes missile systems and rockets for China’s space programme. 
    • Both sources reportedly said the vehicle was launched on a Long March rocket, which is used for the space programme.
  • According to some, the missile missed its target by about 24 miles, 
    • But on the contrary, others said that the test showed that China had made astounding progress on hypersonic weapons and was far very advanced 

 Implications for the World

  • Increase the Chinese Reach:
    • The weapon could in theory fly over the South Pole. 
  • Challenge to US hegemony:
    • This would pose a big challenge for the US military because its missile defence systems are focused on the northern polar route.
  • Display of Advanced Technology Capabilities of China:
    • Most military powers in the world are in the process of developing hypersonic systems.
  • Display Chinese preparedness for next-gen warfare:
    • The US, Russia and China are developing hypersonic weapons, including glide vehicles.
      • They are launched into space on a rocket but orbit the earth under their own momentum.

Implications for India due to Chinese Success in Hypersonic Technology

  • Security: 
    • China needs to be watched closely by the world, especially India considering relations with China in the recent past.
    • The offence system operating at these speeds would mean a requirement to develop defence systems at these speeds.
  • Space Infrastructure: 
    •  Such capabilities might pose a threat to our space assets along with the surface assets.

India’s Hypersonic Vehicle Program and readiness for Space warfare

  • India too is working on hypersonic technologies. 
    • India’s DRDO and ISRO have tested hypersonic vehicles.
  • Last September, DRDO successfully flight-tested the Hypersonic Technology Demonstrator Vehicle (HSTDV).
    • It has the capability to travel at 6 times the speed of sound. 
    • A solid rocket motor of Agni missile took it to an altitude of 30 km where the cruise vehicle separated as planned. 
    • The hypersonic combustion was sustained and the cruise vehicle continued on its desired flight path for more than 20 seconds.
    • Most of the missile tests are conducted from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Launch Complex at APJ Abdul Kalam island off the coast of Odisha.
      • It was previously known as Wheeler Island.
  • An advanced Hypersonic Wind Tunnel (HWT) test facility of the DRDO was inaugurated in Hyderabad. 
    • It is a pressure vacuum-driven, enclosed free jet facility that simulates Mach 5 to 12.
  • As far as space assets are concerned, India has already proved its capabilities through the test of ASAT.
  • Most hypersonic vehicles primarily use scramjet technology. 
    • It is an extremely complex technology, which also needs to be able to handle high temperatures.
      • These all make hypersonic systems extremely costly. 
    • Scramjets are a category of engines designed to handle airflows of speeds in multiples of the speed of sound.

Conclusion and Way Forward

  • India and the world must be very careful of Chinese Intent as transparency and accountability are least expected from the communist regime in China.
  • China is growing leaps and bounds in cutting edge technology and hence India too must take inspiration from the same.
    • Both got their independence at almost the same time yet China is now asserting itself as Global Power.

Air Breathing Engine

  • Air-breathing engines use oxygen from the atmosphere in the combustion of fuel. 
    • These launch vehicles carry oxidisers along with the fuel for combustion to produce thrust.
  • A propulsion system that utilises atmospheric oxygen considerably reduce the total propellant required to place a satellite in orbit

Types of Air Breathing engines

  • Ramjet: 
    • It is a form of air-breathing jet engine that uses the vehicle’s forward motion to compress incoming air for combustion without a rotating compressor.
    • Ramjets work most efficiently at supersonic speeds 
    • They are not efficient at hypersonic speeds.
  • Scramjet: 
    • A scramjet engine is an improvement over the ramjet engine 
    • It efficiently operates at hypersonic speeds and allows supersonic combustion.
  • Dual Mode Ramjet (DMRJ) : 
    • A dual-mode ramjet (DMRJ) is a type of jet engine where a ramjet transforms into a scramjet over Mach 4-8 range, 
    • It can efficiently operate both in subsonic and supersonic combustion modes.

Speed Range

Velocity (in m/s)

Mach Number

Subsonic

<274

< 0.8

Transonic

274-412

0.8-1.2

Supersonic

412-1715

1.2-5

Hypersonic

1715-3430

5-10

High- Hypersonic

3430-8507

10-25

Source: IE

 
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