The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) on Monday successfully tested Hypersonic Technology Demonstrator Vehicle (HSTDV) using the indigenously developed scramjet propulsion system, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh tweeted.

The HSTDV is an ambitious project of the DRDO that aims to serve multiple military and civil purposes. It is expected to power futuristic long-range missile systems and aerial platforms, an official told PTI.

“With this success, all critical technologies are now established to progress to the next phase,” Singh tweeted.

“I congratulate to DRDO on this landmark achievement towards realising PM’s vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat,” he added.

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The minister spoke to scientists associated with the project and congratulated them for success. 

“India is proud of them,” Singh said.

A DRDO official told PTI, with the successful test flight of the HSTDV, India has demonstrated capabilities for highly complex technology that will serve as the building block for next generation hypersonic vehicles in partnership with domestic defence industry.

The HSTDV powers cruise missiles and operates on scramjet engines which can attain the speed of around Mach 6 which is far better than ramjet engines, the officials said.