DRDO commissions Hypersonic Wind Tunnel for simulating aerospace missions

Defence minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated the HWT facility at DRDO’s Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Missile Complex during his visit to Hyderabad on 19 December.

The state-of-the-art HWT Test facility is pressure vacuum driven enclosed free jet facility having nozzle exit diameter of 1 meter capable of simulating Mach 5 to 12 (Mach represents the multiplication factor to the speed of sound). 

India is the third country, after the US and Russia, to have such a large facility in terms of size and operating capability. It is an indigenous development and an outcome of synergistic partnership with Indian industries. The facility has the capability to simulate hypersonic flow over a wide spectrum and will play a major role in the realisation of highly complex futuristic aerospace and defence systems.

During his visit, Hyderabad based DRDO labs showcased various indigenously developed systems and technologies in wide ranging areas, including missiles, avionic systems, advanced materials, electronic warfare, quantum key distribution technology, directed energy weapons, Gallium Arsenide and Gallium Nitride technology capabilities.

DRDO Young Scientists’ Laboratory demonstrated Asymmetric Technologies (DYSL-AT) while RCI demonstrated drone and innovative anti-drone technologies. It has multiple capabilities, including neutralising ground targets and anti-drone applications to counter stationery as well as high-speed moving targets. The weapon system features secure communication link, effective recoil management system, high firing angular resolution and vision-based target detection and tracking.

Demonstrating a range of missile systems, various avionic systems and other technologies, scientists explained all the systems and technologies in detail.

Minister of state for home affairs Kishan Reddy laid the foundation stone of Explosive Test Facility for Propellant and Explosive Systems. This facility will be used for design validation and evaluation of missile sub-systems under different environmental conditions. 

Defence minister congratulated the DRDO fraternity for their phenomenal technological achievements and the series of successful missions and technological achievements by various clusters of DRDO, including Hypersonic Technology Demonstration Vehicle (HSTDV), Anti-Radiation Missile (RUDRAM), Quick Reaction Surface to Air Missile (QRSAM), Supersonic Missile Assisted Release Torpedo (SMART) and Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) technology during past six months.

He congratulated G Satheesh Reddy for DRDO’s contribution to the development of technologies and products for combatting Covid-19 Pandemic. He also acknowledged the tremendous efforts in establishment of Covid-19 hospitals at Delhi and Bihar, development of indigenous ventilators, PPE kits and other protective equipment in short span of time.

While appreciating the endeavors of contributions of DRDO Young Scientist Labs, Rajnath Singh said DRDO needs to focus on next generation technologies, including cyber security, space and artificial intelligence and evolve roadmaps.  The immense potential available in DRDO has been a catalyst for the development of industries and defence manufacturing sector. He urged DRDO scientists to make India a super military power thereby making India a super power.