The term “hypersonic” refers to flight speed more than five times the speed of sound, or Mach 5 (3,800 mph or 6,100 km/h). In the hypersonic regime of flight, a new set of engineering considerations occur that supersonic craft don’t need to deal with. These include frictional heating and managing the shock waves produced by the craft. And for hypersonic vehicles, shockwaves occur much closer to the craft than they do for supersonic systems.
HGV-202F, is an unpowered glide body that uses its aerodynamic design to glide towards its target at Mach 10+ speed. It is set atop of booster which provides it initial velocity and orientation. It is three times faster than existing supersonic cruise missiles and much more maneuverable than re-entry vehicles.
In contrast to existing ICBM RVs, HGV is capable of maneuvering and changing the point of impact throughout all of its flight (ICBM RVs can only offer a change of direction in the post-re-entry phase and are vulnerable to ballistic missile defenses).
The trajectory of the system can be classified into six phases initiating with the “launch phase” using a rocket booster. “Reentry Orient” phase where It separates from the booster & orients itself for the reentry. “Reentry phase” the aerodynamic body of the HGV-202F maneuvers through the earth’s upper atmosphere. “Pull UP” It performs a pull up and maneuvers to control speed & altitude. “Glide phase” where the HGV is at its max speed gliding towards the target. The final phase is the “terminal Phase” where HGV-202F will alter its speed & orientation to terminate the target (with terminal speed of about Mach 5).
The Design of the HGV-202F enables it to use the initial boost, aerodynamic forces to generate unpowered lift with the hypersonic speed in the ranges of Mach 10+.This enables HGV to cover every part of India’s adversaries within 20 minutes
HGV-202F design configuration provides a balance between maneuver, static, and dynamic stability to correctly control the entire flight envelope. This is to ensure that it delivers the required outcomes of speed and range with optimum survivability characteristics.
HGVs range enables covering priority target areas of the neighboring countries up to second chain of islands within reach of 20 minutes. It allows for faster response, expanded range and, greater survivability.
HGVs follow a non-ballistic trajectory, at an altitude of 40 to 100 Km. This results in it being invisible to existing ground-based radars for much of their trajectory. Which compresses the available time to defend against it.
HGV-202F, even if detected from space or ground sensors, to decide where the it is approaching, what target are at risks is complicated. The advantage of HGV lies in its ability to survive enemy defenses, and not in detection.
HGVs terminal velocity can make an impact of around 4 TNT, only with its kinetic energy without any warhead penetrating even the hardened targets.