A missile is considered hypersonic when it travels at Mach 5 or faster, which is more than 6,100 km/h. At these speeds, atmospheric friction generates extreme heat, meaning the weapon must use specialised materials and guidance systems capable of performing under intense pressure.

'Missiles travelling 6,100 km/h': What makes a missile ‘hypersonic’ and which countries already have them?

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully conducted a flight trial of its long-range hypersonic missile on November 16, 2024, from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island, off-the-coast of Odisha.

This hypersonic missile is designed to carry various payloads for ranges greater than 1500km for all the Services of the Indian Armed Forces.

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The missile was tracked by various range systems, deployed in multiple domains. The flight data obtained from down-range ship stations confirmed the successful terminal manoeuvres and impact with a high degree of accuracy.

This missile has been indigenously developed by the laboratories of Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Missile Complex, Hyderabad along with various other DRDO laboratories and Industry Partners.

The flight trial was carried out in the presence of senior scientists of DRDO and the Armed Forces.

Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh congratulated DRDO, the Armed Forces and the Industry for the successful flight trial of the country’s first long-range hypersonic mission, and termed it a historic achievement.

In a post on X, the Defence Minister described the event as a historic moment, emphasising that this major achievement has placed India among a handful of nations with the capability to develop such advanced and critical military technologies.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/manipur-authorities-impose-curfew-in-imphal-west-district-amid-violent-protests-776720">Manipur authorities impose curfew in Imphal West District amid violent protests</a>

“India has achieved a major milestone by successfully conducting a flight trial of a long-range hypersonic missile from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island, off-the-coast of Odisha. This is a historic moment and this significant achievement has put our country in the group of select nations having capabilities of such critical and advanced military technologies. I congratulate Team DRDO India, our Armed Forces and the Industry for stupendous achievement,” Rajnath Singh posted on X.

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India has achieved a major milestone by successfully conducting flight trial of long range hypersonic missile from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island, off-the-coast of Odisha. This is a historic moment and this significant achievement has put our country in the group of select nations… <a href="https://t.co/jZzdTwIF6w">pic.twitter.com/jZzdTwIF6w</a>
— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) <a href="https://twitter.com/rajnathsingh/status/1857980534011605222?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 17, 2024</a></blockquote>
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Secretary, Department of Defence R&amp;D and Chairman DRDO also congratulated team DRDO for their active contribution to this successful mission.

Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION&nbsp;audience. 
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The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully conducted a flight trial of its long-range hypersonic missile on November 16, 2024, from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island, off-the-coast of Odisha.

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully conducted a flight trial of its long-range hypersonic missile on November 16, 2024, from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island, off-the-coast of Odisha. This hypersonic missile is designed to carry various payloads for ranges greater than 1500km for all the Services of the Indian Armed Forces. Also read | Indian PM Modi leaves for Nigeria, Brazil and Guyana; to attend G20 meeting The missile was tracked by various range systems, deployed in multiple domains. The flight data obtained from down-range ship stations confirmed the successful terminal manoeuvres and impact with a high degree of accuracy. This missile has been indigenously developed by the laboratories of Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Missile Complex, Hyderabad along with various other DRDO laboratories and Industry Partners. The flight trial was carried out in the presence of senior scientists of DRDO and the Armed Forces. Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh congratulated DRDO, the Armed Forces and the Industry for the successful flight trial of the country’s first long-range hypersonic mission, and termed it a historic achievement. In a post on X, the Defence Minister described the event as a historic moment, emphasising that this major achievement has placed India among a handful of nations with the capability to develop such advanced and critical military technologies. Also read | Manipur authorities impose curfew in Imphal West District amid violent protests “India has achieved a major milestone by successfully conducting a flight trial of a long-range hypersonic missile from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island, off-the-coast of Odisha. This is a historic moment and this significant achievement has put our country in the group of select nations having capabilities of such critical and advanced military technologies. I congratulate Team DRDO India, our Armed Forces and the Industry for stupendous achievement,” Rajnath Singh posted on X. India has achieved a major milestone by successfully conducting flight trial of long range hypersonic missile from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island, off-the-coast of Odisha. This is a historic moment and this significant achievement has put our country in the group of select nations… pic.twitter.com/jZzdTwIF6w — Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) November 17, 2024 × Secretary, Department of Defence R&D and Chairman DRDO also congratulated team DRDO for their active contribution to this successful mission. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

India successfully tests long-range hypersonic missile, marks 'major milestone'

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'Missiles travelling 6,100 km/h': What makes a missile ‘hypersonic’ and which countries already have them?

India successfully tests long-range hypersonic missile, marks 'major milestone'