India's missile that outran sound
a Hypersonic Revolution from Dr. Kalam Island
If you happened to be strolling on the edge of a tiny island off the coast of Odisha—an island with the grand name of Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Island—you might have spotted something rather peculiar. With a good pair of binoculars (and the patience to sift through the twilight haze), you’d have seen rockets darting skywards like mischievous fireworks. But no, India wasn’t aiming for the moon this time. Oh no. India was up to something far more... terrestrial.
The folks on that island were testing a weapon—a weapon that could make even the bravest of foes gulp nervously. It wasn’t just any weapon. This was a hypersonic missile. A dart of pure ingenuity that zipped through the air faster than anyone could say “incoming!” And it had just passed its test with flying colors.
Now, I first learned about this astonishing development from the morning newspaper on the 17th of November. There it was, the headline gleaming like a jewel: “India Conducts Maiden Tests of Long-Range Hypersonic Missiles.” The words danced before my eyes. Terminal maneuvers? High accuracy? My morning chai nearly fell out of my hands.
Missiles, I thought, had always looked splendid in films. But hypersonic missiles? What on earth was that? Was it the kind of weapon that made generals of armies faint and enemy radars weep and cry?
It turns out the answer was a resounding yes.
The Wonders of "Hypersonic"
To understand just how brilliant hypersonic missiles are, you need to know a little something about speed. You see, sound travels at a respectable pace—about 1234.75 kilometers per hour. Scientists, being the clever creatures they are, call this Mach 1. Most planes we humans fly in, stick below Mach 1. But fighter jets, those beasts of the sky, often go at Mach 2 or Mach 3.
Hypersonic, though, is where things get truly thrilling. Anything Mach 5 and above earns this dazzling title. Think of space shuttles, roaring into orbit at Mach 20 or even Mach 24. Now imagine a missile, a sleek, ruthless machine, moving at such absurd speeds.
The Magic Behind the Missile
Here’s the bit that made my eyebrows shoot up. These missiles don’t just go fast—they’re cunning too. They can change course mid-air. For example, the enemy might assume that the missile was going to target place A based on where it is going. But, these missiles can suddenly pivot mid-air, change course and hit place B before the enemy can even blink their eye. They can trick an enemy, swerving mid-air, zigzagging like a dragonfly, and landing precisely where they’re least expected.
Hypersonic missiles are quite hard for enemies to detect. They skim close to the ground or water, slipping under radar like ghosts in the night. They can fly below the earth’s atmosphere. Most defense systems scan the earth’s atmosphere to detect incoming weapons’ strikes. Hypersonic missiles can change angles mid-way and attack enemy positions, thus evading any conventional missile defense systems built by enemies.
But the real wizardry lies in their impact. Hypersonic missiles don’t always need bombs. A Physics teacher in middle school would explain this as a weapon that relies solely on kinetic energy. The energy generated by its high speed is enough to cause the impact.
The physics mimics nature - birds and human lungs
These hypersonic missiles work a bit like the human lungs, in that, they inhale big gulps of air. This big gulp goes inside a tiny tank where hydrogen is stored. The oxygen combusts (i.e. burns) the hydrogen. Once the hydrogen combusts, the missile uses this power to suddenly increase its speed and reach the wonders of hypersonic speeds of Mach 5 and beyond!
The sheer force of their speed can obliterate a target. A fighter jet? Gone. A bunker? Smashed to smithereens. All thanks to the kinetic energy from their velocity. They gulp down air like marathon runners, mix it with stored hydrogen, and ignite a furious combustion that sends them hurtling forward at Mach 5 and beyond.
India Joins the Party
Until recently, only three countries had managed to master this science-fiction-like technology: the United States, China, and Russia. Each of them have their terrifying toys—like China’s DF-41, the U.S.’s Trident II, or Russia’s aptly named Kinzhal, meaning “Dagger.” These weapons aren’t just powerful; they are chillingly efficient.
But now, India has entered the room, its head held high. Testing a hypersonic missile is no small feat. This is a ticket to the big league, a declaration to the world that India has mastered the art of speed and precision.
Somewhere, in a shadowy lab on Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Island, a scientist with a twinkle in his eye must have leaned back, folded his arms, and whispered to himself: “We’ve done it.”
And indeed, they have.
Trivia: Countries that rank high in hypersonic missile capabilities
China: The DF-41 is China's most advanced and fastest intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). It can reach speeds of Mach 25 (approximately 30,625 km/h) and cover a range of 15,000 km (9,320 miles).
USA: UGM-133 Trident II (D5) used by the United States, and is capable of reaching speeds of Mach 24 (approximately 29,400 km/h) with a range of 12,000 km.
Russia: The RS-28 Sarmat (also known as "Satan 2") travels at speeds exceeding Mach 20. It can carry multiple nuclear warheads and strike targets anywhere in the world.
Does this mean India will go to war tomorrow?
This is less of a war game and more of a posturing game. Think of the nuclear bomb developed and dropped on Japan at the end of the Second World War. Never again have we seen it used in warfare. However, plenty of countries have since built their own versions of the nuclear bomb. They use this as a threat to their enemies, warning that if one country attempts to drop a nuclear bomb, they can retaliate in kind. This posturing has been going on for more than 75 years, and so far, we have largely avoided a nuclear war.
Hypersonic missiles are less deadly than a nuclear bomb (as long as the missile does not carry a nuclear warhead). This means they are more likely to be ACTUALLY USED or deployed in a war, should India ever find itself in such a situation. That said, possessing a hypersonic missile—or showcasing to the world that India has successfully tested one—is more about a SHOW of power and posturing than the practical use of the missile itself.
So, there—rest easy!
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