India’s Entry into the Hypersonic Elite

 India’s Hypersonic Breakthrough: Meet the ET-LDHCM Missile Under Project Vishnu

Posted By Technology & Defense 

Date: 13/6/2025

India's Hypersonic Missile 

Imagine a missile that travels eight times faster than sound, dodges enemy radar, and can strike targets 1,500 kilometers away with deadly precision. This isn’t science fiction—it’s India’s latest defense marvel under Project Vishnu, the Extended-Range Long-Distance Hypersonic Cruise Missile (ET‑LDHCM).

India has now stepped firmly into the elite club of nations with operational hypersonic strike capability, joining the ranks of the U.S., Russia, and China. Let’s break down what makes this cutting-edge missile a game-changer.

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What Is the ET‑LDHCM Missile?

The ET‑LDHCM is a hypersonic cruise missile capable of traveling at Mach 8—that’s nearly 11,000 kilometers per hour. Developed under the classified Project Vishnu, this missile is designed for both land-attack and anti-ship missions, offering India a powerful new option in its strategic arsenal.

🔹 Key Specs at a Glance:

Speed: Up to Mach 8 (8 times the speed of sound)

Range: Around 1,500 km

Engine: Advanced scramjet (air-breathing propulsion)

Payload: Can carry 1,000–2,000 kg of conventional or nuclear warheads

Flight Profile: Stealthy, radar-evading, low-altitude

Behind the Tech: How It Works

At the heart of the ET‑LDHCM is a scramjet engine, developed from the successful HSTDV (Hypersonic Technology Demonstrator Vehicle) project by DRDO. Scramjet engines compress air at supersonic speeds to ignite fuel mid-flight, enabling the missile to maintain hypersonic speeds over long distances.

What makes this missile especially lethal is its maneuverability and stealth. It flies low to the ground to avoid radar detection, features radar-absorbent materials, and is built with heat-resistant alloys that can endure extreme temperatures up to 2,000°C.

A Powerful Deterrent and Game-Changer

This missile isn’t just fast—it’s smart and strategic. Its dual capability allows it to hit both land-based targets (like command centers and missile silos) and moving naval ships with high precision. This makes it a perfect tool for:

Sea denial operations

Pre-emptive strikes

Counterforce missions

Strategic deterrence

In simpler terms, the ET‑LDHCM can quickly neutralize threats before they even get a chance to react.

India’s Entry into the Hypersonic Elite

With the successful testing of this missile in November 2024, India has joined an exclusive group of hypersonic powers. Only a few countries—namely the U.S., Russia, and China—possess comparable systems.

The ET‑LDHCM also gives India a significant edge in the Indo-Pacific region, especially with rising tensions and the need to counter aggressive naval posturing by rival nations.

Is It Linked to BrahMos-II?

Many experts see a connection between the ET‑LDHCM and the upcoming BrahMos-II—a joint India–Russia venture also targeting Mach 8 capabilities. However, reports suggest that the ET‑LDHCM is an indigenous platform, possibly developed in parallel or as a derivative, showcasing India’s growing self-reliance in advanced missile technology.

Additionally, DRDO is reportedly working on a naval version called LRAShM (Long-Range Anti-Ship Missile) that could further enhance India’s maritime strike capacity.

Conclusion: Why This Matters

The ET‑LDHCM represents more than just a technological breakthrough—it’s a strategic shield and a long-range sword. In an age of evolving threats, speed, stealth, and precision define the battlefield. And India now has all three.

This missile is not only a deterrent but also a power projection tool that strengthens India's hand in regional and global defense dialogues.

ET-LDHCM 

Summary Table

Feature Details

Speed Up to Mach 8 (~11,000 km/h)

Range ~1,500 km

Propulsion Scramjet engine (air-breathing)

Payload 1,000–2,000 kg (Conventional/Nuclear)

Stealth Radar-absorbing, low-altitude

Capabilities Dual-role: Land + Sea targets

Tested November 2024 (Odisha coast)

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MCQ: What is the primary propulsion system used in India’s ET-LDHCM hypersonic cruise missile developed under Project Vishnu?

A) Turbojet engine

B) Solid-fuel rocket motor

C) Scramjet engine

D) Ramjet engine