To Cite: Rajaram Nagappa. Hypersonic Cruise Missiles: An Overview, NIAS Report: NIAS/CSS/ISSSP/U/RR/23/2020). Bangalore: International Strategic and Security Studies Programme, National Institute of Advanced Studies, Nov 2020.
The recent flight test of the Hypersonic Technology Demonstrator Vehicle (HSTDV) by DRDO and the earlier flight test of the Advanced Technology Vehicle by ISRO has rekindled the interest in hypersonic technologies and their adaptation to practical systems in the Country. Indian interests in pursuing hypersonic technologies using both analytical and experimental approach have been around since the late 1980s. This article examines the background, the present development status including the features and outcome of HSTDV flight. The international scenario and some of the technology challenges scaling to a full fledged system are brought out.