Understanding the Challenges and Solutions in the Age of Rapid Technological Advancements
Hypersonic missile technology, its variants, related phenomena such as plasma formation, and current challenges in detection and tracking.
Explore the strategic significance of hypersonic missiles, their variants, and related phenomena. Learn about detection challenges, plasma formation, and the crucial need for satellite networks in enhancing defence capabilities.
Understanding the Strategic Significance of Hypersonic Missiles
Hypersonic missiles are defined as weapons systems that travel at speeds of Mach 5 or greater, meaning they travel at least five times the speed of sound. These missiles are designed to deliver warheads at extremely high velocities, presenting a significant challenge to existing defence systems due to their speed and manoeuvrability. Hypersonic missiles are categorised into two main types: hypersonic cruise missiles (HCMs) and hypersonic glide vehicles (HGVs).
Hypersonic Cruise Missile vs Hypersonic Glide Vehicle
There are key differences between Hypersonic Cruise Missiles (HCMs) and Hypersonic Glide Vehicles (HGVs).
Plasma Formation
The extreme speeds of hypersonic vehicles generate intense friction with the atmosphere. This friction causes the air around the vehicle to heat up to very high temperatures, resulting in the ionisation of air molecules and the formation of plasma. Plasma is an electrically charged gas that can significantly impact the vehicle's communication and sensor systems.
Limitations of the RADAR LOS System
Radar systems, particularly Line of Sight (LOS) systems, face several limitations when it comes to tracking hypersonic vehicles.
Curvature of the Earth: Limits the range of LOS radar, making it challenging to detect missiles at long distances.
Atmospheric Effects: The formation of plasma around the missile can interfere with radar signals, thereby reducing detection and tracking accuracy.
Speed and Manoeuvrability: High speed and unpredictable manoeuvres make it challenging for radar systems to maintain a consistent track.
Ex-ISRO chief S. Somanath has warned: 'Hypersonic missiles are extremely difficult to intercept, India needs hundreds of satellites. Without a massive satellite boost, India’s armed forces risk blind spots in crisis.”
Somanath emphasised, “The importance of space for defence has been understood very well now. This has been demonstrated very well in some recent conflicts. For example, the Ukraine conflict. It has shown it very well how it played a role, and recently in India also.”
The Satellite Solution: A Beacon of Hope in Overcoming Hypersonic Threats
Satellites equipped with infrared sensors can detect the heat signature of a missile launch, providing early warning capabilities. A network of satellites can provide coordinated tracking, enhancing accuracy and coverage.
Satellites provide a more comprehensive and robust tracking solution for hypersonic threats, complementing existing ground-based radar systems.
The problem is: "A scientist thinks neither like a terrorist nor a learned philosopher."
If a terrorist wishes to usurp something, they will eventually succeed, with or without hypersonics, satellites, bombers, or a scientist. Others will be left gasping for breath or devising defences.
If someone can build a hypersonic arsenal, they can also develop several other means to achieve their purpose. If someone wants to defend themselves, they can do so through various alternative methods. They can be proactive instead of reactive.
Constructing measures to counter hypersonics is a short-sighted proposition. By the time you are prepared, the enemy will have either captured you or advanced several steps ahead. You will find yourself losing the race.
Urgent Need for Strategic and Creative Thinking in Defence
For instance, China built its Great Wall to protect itself from invaders. Yet, the enemy crossed the wall not once but several times, not by breaching it—the wall remained intact. The enemy bribed the guards at the gates! Can you rule out the human angle here?
Bhishma, Karna, Dronacharya and even Duryodhan were invincible. Similarly, Meghnath, Ravan and Baali were undefeatable. Their defences were impregnable. Nobody could have beaten them. Yet they lost. How, that is another story. Learned sages have documented these ages ago, fully aware of the basic human traits.
Hypersonic missiles
