Why in the News?

Indian scientists have achieved a breakthrough in hypersonic missile technology, developing a modern-day ‘Brahmastra’ with an astonishing speed of 12,144 km per hour (Mach 10).

About Brahmastra (Long Range Anti-Ship Missile – LRAShM): 

• Brahmastra is a state-of-the-art hypersonic glide missile developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
• It is designed to neutralize enemy warships and strategic naval targets with extreme speed and precision.
• With a speed of Mach 10 (12,144 km/h) and a range of 1,500 km, Brahmastra is one of the fastest and most lethal weapons in India’s defense arsenal.
• The missile’s hypersonic glide vehicle technology allows it to evade enemy radar and missile defense systems, ensuring high-precision strikes on naval targets.

Features of Brahmastra:

• It can be launched from both land and naval platforms, enhancing India’s maritime strike capabilities.
• Due to its hypersonic speed, Brahmastra can destroy an enemy warship within 7 to 8 minutes of launch.
• The missile is built with advanced heat-resistant materials, preventing it from disintegrating under extreme temperatures during flight.
• Unlike conventional missiles, Brahmastra retains its structural integrity even at hypersonic speeds, ensuring precise impact.
• It uses scramjet propulsion and glide vehicle technology for sustained hypersonic flight.
• It can adjust its trajectory mid-flight, making it highly maneuverable and difficult to intercept.
• Its stealth and radar-evading capabilities ensure low detection probability, reducing the risk of interception.

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