DRDO starts work on ‘next-gen’ hypersonic weapon

The defence research body of the country is reportedly exploring the feasibility of several niche technologies right now and the hypersonic weapon happens to be one of them.

Hypersonic weapons are touted as “next-generation” weapon systems, and all the defence superpowers of the world are rushing to add them to their inventory. The United States, China, and Russia have already begun testing various types of hypersonic weapons to strengthen their combat units.

Notably, the re-entry vehicles of intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) are also known to travel superfast. However, the hypersonic ones are easier to manoeuvre, which makes it nearly impossible to track or intercept them. In fact, the next-gen weapons are being developed specifically to counter and survive ICBM attacks.

Meanwhile, to provide an impetus to defence manufacturing in India, DRDO Chairman G Satish Reddy has offered 1,500 of its patents, which include missile technology and naval technology.

These patents can be accessed by start-ups and medium and small manufacturing units free of cost.

Explaining why the patents are being offered for free, Reddy said: “DRDO is determined to encourage industry to develop advanced defence equipment thereby making the Make-In-India programme a success. We have today a 1,800-industry base, we are determined to enlarge this base and take the technological capability to a higher level.”