China’s hypersonic glide vehicle test

Syllabus: General Studies Paper 3

Context:

• • China in August tested a nuclear-capable hypersonic glide vehicle that circled the globe before speeding towards its target.

• Hypersonic speeds are 5 or more times the speed of sound.

More in News

• The vehicle was launched on a Long March rocket, which is used for the space programme.
• The Chinese military launched a rocket that carried a hypersonic glide vehicle, which flew through low-orbit space before cruising down towards its target. 
• The test has raised new questions about why the US often underestimated China’s military modernisation

Technology used:

• The exact details on the technology used by China in this particular test are not known through media sources. But most hypersonic vehicles primarily use scramjet technology.

Concerns and implications for India and the world:

• The weapon could, in theory, fly over the South Pole. That would pose a big challenge for the US military because its missile defence systems are focused on the northern polar route.
• India is especially concerned with the latest developments considering relations with China in the recent past. Such capabilities highlight the threat for our space assets along with the surface assets.

Global Status regarding hypersonic weapons

• The US, Russia and China are all developing hypersonic weapons, including glide vehicles that are launched into space on a rocket but orbit the earth under their own momentum.
• India’s DRDO tested a hypersonic vehicle in September last year. 

The Indian Express Link:

https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/chinas-hypersonic-glide-vehicle-test-7577005/

Question- Write a short note on the scramjet engine.