In News:

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is preparing for the first test of Dhvani, India’s next-generation hypersonic missile system. Its development marks a major advancement in India’s indigenous strategic and aerospace capabilities, placing the country among a select group working on Hypersonic Glide Vehicle (HGV) technology.

What is Dhvani?

• Dhvani is an upcoming hypersonic missile being developed by DRDO.
• It is designed as a Hypersonic Glide Vehicle (HGV), enabling high-speed, maneuverable flight at hypersonic speed (greater than Mach 5 or approx. 7,400 km/h).
• The system departs from conventional ballistic or cruise missile trajectories by:
  • Being launched to very high altitudes, and
  • Then gliding at hypersonic speeds toward the target with significant maneuvering capability.

This flight profile complicates detection and interception by most existing missile defence systems.

Key Technical Features

1. Speed & Range

• Expected to fly at Mach 5–6+.
• Estimated operating range: 6,000–10,000 km (long-range strategic class).

2. Hypersonic Glide Vehicle Design

• Blended wing–body configuration
  • Approx. 9 m length
  • Approx. 2.5 m width
• Optimized for lift generation and maneuverability during hypersonic glide.

3. Thermal Protection System

• Uses ultra-high-temperature ceramic composites.
• Can withstand 2,000–3,000°C generated during atmospheric re-entry and sustained hypersonic flight.

4. Stealth Features

• Stealth-shaped geometry with:
  • Angled surfaces
  • Smooth contours
• Intended to reduce radar cross-section (RCS) and enhance survivability against surveillance systems.

5. Guidance & Precision: Designed to strike both land and maritime targets with high accuracy.

Technology Background

• Dhvani builds on technologies proven in the Hypersonic Technology Demonstrator Vehicle (HSTDV), including:
  • Scramjet propulsion research
  • Thermal shielding systems
  • High-temperature material development

The success of HSTDV provided DRDO the platform to develop operational HGV systems such as Dhvani.