DISRUPTIVE MILITARY TECHNOLOGIES: AN OVERVIEW

Part II: Nano and Hypersonic Weapon Technologies

- Lt Gen (Dr) R S Panwar

Introduction
1. Cutting edge technologies whose manifestation on the battlefield, real or virtual, is
expected to have a significant impact on the nature of warfare, are often referred to as
disruptive military technologies. This three-part series attempts to examine whether India
is sufficiently geared up to leverage these niche technologies for building up our
comprehensive military power in tune with our geopolitical aspirations. In the first part, a
classification of disruptive military technologies based on their expected impact on future
warfare was presented, and four key technologies were shortlisted for taking a deeper
look. Thereafter, the global R&D status of AI & robotics and quantum technologies was
outlined.
2. This part gives an insight into some of the important military applications as well as
the status of global research for nano and hypersonic weapons technologies, and the
efforts being made by India towards their development.

Nano Technologies
3. Military Applications. Nanoscience is the study of phenomena and manipulation
of materials at atomic, molecular and macromolecular scales, where properties differ
significantly from those at a larger scale, while Nanotechnologies are the design,
characterization, production and application of structures, devices and systems by
controlling their shape and size at nanometre scale.1 There is a wide range of technologies
covered under this term, across multiple disciplines such as medicine, information
technology, energy, materials, food and defence. In the coming decades,
nanotechnologies will progress far enough to result in brain-machine interfaces for remote
control of military platforms and robotic systems. Military applications of nanotechnology
which are currently the focus of research may be summarized under the following four
categories:-2
(a) Materials Based Applications: Nanotechnology enables high strength,
durable, and active materials which, in the form of nanostructures and
nanocomposites, may be used for smart fabrics, small nano and micro sensors and
more agile and resilient military platforms, such as light armoured vehicles, tanks,
fighter jets, and micro-unmanned air vehicles.
(b) ICT Applications: Nanotechnology can enable enhanced capabilities in a
network centric warfare scenario, using applications such as nano radio frequency
identification devices (RFIDs), micro audio and video recording devices and
biometric devices for secured access.
(c) Energy and Bio-Based Applications. Wearable electric power and nano-
bio fusion may enable micro power systems for sensor systems in combat suits as
well as for unattended sensors; nano-medicine applications such as targeted drug
delivery; and smart biocompatible implants for administering basic first aid, etc.
(d) Applications in Support of Unmanned Operations. Nanotechnology
could enable the development of nano and micro robots, including lethal

1Nanoscience and Nanotechnologies: Opportunities and Uncertainties, Royal Society & The Royal
Academy of Engineering, 2004, pp-5.
2Sonali Agarwal, Shanker Mahto, and R C Agarwal, Strengthening the Growth of Indian Defence by
Harnessing Nanotechnology - A Perspective, Defence Science Journal, Vol. 63, No. 1, Jan 2013, pp. 47-48.
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autonomous weapon systems; and nano and micro sensors which may be used,
for instance, for detecting the presence of harmful chemicals and biological agents
in NBC warfare.
4. Global Research.
(a) United States. The National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI), established in
2001 and authorized in 2003 in the 21st Century Nanotechnology Research and
Development Act, is a U.S. Government R&D initiative, wherein twenty federal
departments, independent agencies, and commissions work together to further
nanotechnology research for the benefit of society. The President’s 2019 Budget
requested nearly $1.4 billion for the NNI, bringing the cumulative total to US $27
billion since its inception in 2001.3 Numerous organizations within DoD are involved
in nanotechnology research and development including: Air Force Office of
Scientific Research, Army Engineering R&D Centre, Army Research Laboratory,
Army Research Office, Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, Office of the
Director Defense Research & Engineering, Defense Threat Reduction Agency, and
Office of Naval Research. DOD considers nanotechnology to have the potential to
contribute to the warfighting capabilities of the nation. Ongoing and planned DOD
activities supports research and development across a broad range of
nanotechnology-enabled applications, devices, and systems.4 The Army is
collaborating with small business and academia to grow two-dimensional (2D)
nanomaterials for high-performance RF transistors, quantum-enhanced motion
sensing for possible applications in nuclear sensing, amongst others. Air Force
researchers, in collaboration with industry, are carrying out nanotechnology
research for potential applications in ISR, directed energy devices and optical
computing.5
(b) China. The CMC and the PLA have identified nanotechnology as a key
transformational military technology, and have invested heavily in this area. In 2006,
the Chinese government announced its Medium and Long-term Plan for the
Development of Science and Technology (2006–2020), which identified
nanotechnology as “a very promising area that could give China a chance for leap-
forward development.” Till 2016 China’s Nanoscience Research program invested
about 1.0 billion RMB to support a large number of nanotechnology projects. 6 The
Chinese Academy of Science (CAS) is playing a major role in advancing
nanotechnology based research for military modernization. In addition, several
state-level nanotechnology R&D bases have been established. Out of the world's
top 100 institutions in nanoscience research last year, China had 33 and the US
had 30. The number of high-quality Chinese nanoscience papers grew from around
1,300 in 2012 to over 4,100 last year, overtaking the United States (which published

3The National Nanotechnology Initiative: Supplement to the President’s 2019 Budget, Aug 2018,
Accessed 24 Jan 2020, https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/The-National-
Nanotechnology-Initiative-Supplement-to-the-President%E2%80%99s-2019-Budget.pdf.
4 The Department of Defence (DOD) | Nano Website, Accessed 24 Jan 2020, https://www.nano.gov/DOD.
5 The National Nanotechnology Initiative: Supplement to the President’s 2019 Budget…, 32.
6 Haiyan Dong, Yu Gao, Patrick J. Sinko, Zaisheng Wu, J, ianguo Xu, and Lee Jia, The nanotechnology
race between China and USA, (Materials Today, Accessed 30 Nov 2019, https://www.materialstoday.com/
nanomaterials/comment/the-nanotechnology-race-between-china-and-usa/, 12 Apr 2016).
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4000 papers) for the first time as the global leader in high-quality nanoscience
research output.7
5. The Indian Context. An overview of Indian initiatives and performance in the
pursuance of research in nanotechnologies is summarized as under:-
(a) Government Initiatives. The potential of nanotechnology was realized by
Government of India as early as the year 2001 when Nanoscience and Technology
Initiative (NSTI) was launched as a mission mode program in the 10th Five Year
Plan (2002-2007) with a budget of approximately 60 million rupees, with the
Department of Science and Technology (DST) as the nodal agency. In 2007, the
Government of India launched the Mission on Nano Science and Technology (Nano
Mission), and based on its success, approved its continuation as Phase-II during
the 12th Plan period with an allocation of Rs. 650 crore. The Nano Missions
objectives include promotion of basic research, infrastructure development,
development of technology and applications and human resource development in
the field of nanotechnology. The program is steered by the Nano Mission Council
at apex level whereas technical programs are guided by two advisory groups – The
Nano Science Advisory Group (NSAG) and the Nano Applications and Technical
Advisory Group (NATAG).8
(b) Research Institutions. Significant contribution is being made by other
government departments including the DRDO to harness the potential of
nanotechnology. DRDO is currently pursuing nanotechnology research in 30 of its
laboratories for defence applications, in areas such as sensors, high-energy
applications, stealth and camouflage, Nuclear, Biological and Chemical (NBC)
attack protection devices, structural applications, nano-electronics, and
characterization. Other government organizations such as Council of Scientific and
Industrial research (CSIR), Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), Department of
Biotechnology (DBT), Department of Information Technology (DIT), Indian Council
of Agricultural Research (ICAR), Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR),
Ministry of Environment and Forest (MoEF), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
(MoHFW) and Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) are also engaged
in funding and policy formulation. Agencies such as National Research
Development Corporation (NDRC), Global Initiative and Technological Alliance
(GITA) and National Manufacturing Competitive Council (NMCC) are also
extending support to research agencies to translate the innovations into
applications. As per Nano Science, Technology and Industry Scoreboard,
approximately 166,000 nano-articles were indexed in the Web of Science (WoS) in
2018, and China, the United States, and India were the three leading countries in
the publication of these articles, although India’s contributions were less than a
fourth of articles by China.9
(c) Armed Forces. As is the case for quantum technology, notwithstanding the
fact that DRDO is working on several nanotechnology research areas, there are no
known nanotechnology projects which are being actively pursued by the three
Services.

7Zhang Zhihao, Chinese Researchers Head the Field in Nanoscience, China Daily, Accessed 30 Nov
2019, https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/201908/19/WS5d59d9c2a310cf3e35566657.html, 19 Aug 2018.
8Sanjiv Tomar, Nanotechnology: The Emerging Field for Future Military Applications, IDSA Monograph No
48, Oct 2015, 30-32.
9Nanotechnology Publications of 2018: An Overview, Statnano, Accessed 24 Jan 2020,
https://statnano.com/news/65056/Nanotechnology-Publications-of-2018-An-Overview.
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6. Thus, while India is one of the leading players on the world stage as regards
research in nanotechnologies, it needs to redouble its efforts if it intends to catch up with
the fast pace of development in China, especially in the defence applications of this
important technology.

Hypersonic Weapons
7. Technology Overview.10
(a) Hypersonic weapons incorporate the speed of a ballistic missile with the
manoeuvring capabilities of a cruise missile. Hypersonic weapons refer to weapons
that travel faster than Mach 5 and have the capability to manoeuvre during the entire
flight, which is their main advantage, since it makes it much harder to track them.
(b) There are two main design options: tactical boost glide and scramjet systems.
In a boost glide system, a rocket accelerates its payload to high speeds. The
payload then separates from the rocket and glides unpowered to its destination.
Scramjet technology uses a booster to reach cruising speeds. The scramjet engine
is designed to compress the high-velocity, incoming air before combustion. This
technology, also called “air breathing,” renders a highly efficient engine at
hypersonic speeds.
(c) Hypersonic vehicles typically consist of a Supersonic Combustion Ramjet, or
Scramjet propulsion system to enable such high speeds. A Scramjet engine is an
engine that uses “air breathing” technology. This means that the engine collects
oxygen from the atmosphere as it is traveling and mixes the oxygen with its
hydrogen fuel, creating the combustion needed for hypersonic travel. This is
different from a traditional ramjet, which carries liquid oxygen as fuel, making the
missile heavier.
(d) For a scramjet to work, the air traveling into the engine must be at supersonic
speed, so that oxygen in the air is properly condensed to effectively combust with
the hydrogen mix. To reach supersonic speed, the vessel is usually launched once
the craft reaches proper speed and altitude, after which it can work as a scramjet.
(e) While conventional ballistic missiles are launched at steep trajectories that
inhibit speed during the high friction of launch and re-entry, hypersonic missiles
glide atop the atmosphere at the edge of space while engaging specialized jet
engines to perpetually accelerate up to hypersonic speeds.
(f) This ability to travel at ultra-high velocity is the primary appeal of hypersonic
missiles, because it extends their range and allows them to bypass modern layered
missile defenses. More importantly, hypersonic missiles are also capable of
manoeuvring in flight, allowing them to evade missile defense tracking systems and
interceptors. This is in contrast to conventional ballistic missiles, which descend
through the atmosphere on a predictable trajectory that can be tracked and
intercepted by modern missile defense systems.
(g) The kinetic energy released on impact makes hypersonic missiles extremely
destructive. Even without a warhead, if such a missile coming in at speeds above
Mach 5 were to hit the deck of a supercarrier, it might not sink it, but it would be a
mission kill. However, targeting something as specific as a carrier is exceptionally
complex, and much of the challenge of hypersonic missile development is to

10 Hypersonic Weapon Basics, Missile Defence Advocacy Alliance, Accessed 24 Jan 2020,
https://missiledefenseadvocacy.org/missile-threat-and-proliferation/missile-basics/hypersonic-missiles/.
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actually control cruise missiles well enough to achieve a sufficient degree of
accuracy.
8. Hypersonic Arms Race. Currently, the United States, China, and Russia are
leading the development of hypersonic missiles that can deliver various types of payloads.
Notably, the United States is focusing only on conventional payloads, while China and
Russia are developing both conventional and nuclear delivery methods, as per open
domain information. In addition, India, France, Australia, Japan and the EU all have active
military/ civilian hypersonic research programs underway.
9. Global Research.
(a) Russia. In March 2018, Russian President Vladimir Putin premiered and
promoted the country's new hypersonic weapons, claiming that the six new
prototype weapons unveiled would be ready for battle in 2020.11 Kinzhal is a high-
precision hypersonic aircraft missile system, which is capable of delivering nuclear
and conventional warheads up to a range of over 2,000-km. It can be carried by the
Su-34 long-range strike fighter as well as the Backfire bomber. A smaller version of
the Kinzhal is planned to be carried by the Su-57 fighter aircraft. In addition, the first
regiment of ICBMs equipped with Avangard hypersonic glide vehicles, capable of a
two-megaton warhead, became operational in Dec 2019.12
(b) China. China has two hypersonic surface-to-surface missiles. Firstly, the
Dongfeng-17 is a Chinese solid-fuelled road-mobile short-range ballistic missile that
mounts the DF-ZF Hypersonic Glide Vehicle, which has unpredictable ballistic
trajectory. The DF-17, along with the DF-ZF, was officially unveiled at the China
Day military parade on October 1st, 2019, making this China's first operational
hypersonic weapon systems and one of the world's first to be put in full initial
operation.13 Though not much is known about the second missile, Xingkong-2, its
one distinctive difference from DF-17 is that the former has a fairing and the latter
does not, making the two very different in appearance. It may also have a different
flight pattern. As per reports, Xingkong-2 is still in the trial phase and more tests are
expected.14
(c) United States. Since the beginning of the Cold War, the United States has
periodically undertaken the development of manoeuvrable hypersonic weapons,
which were given up midway on facing technological hurdles. Now, being faced with
ambitious programs of Russia and China, the United States is pouring billions of
dollars into hypersonic research.15 In 2018, the US Congress approved the
development of an American hypersonic weapon to be operational by October
2022. The proposed defense budget of 2019 included $2.6 billion for hypersonics,

11Kyle Mizokami, Russia's New Hypersonic Weapon Flies at Mach 27, Popular Mechanics, 30 Dec 2019,
Accessed 24 Jan 2020, https://www.popularmechanics.com/military/weapons/a30346798/russia-new-
hypersonic-weapon-mach-27/.
12Mark B. Schneider, Russian Hypersonic Missiles Have 1 Goal (And They Might Be Unstoppable),
National Interest, 11 Sep 2019, Accessed 24 Jan 2020, https://nationalinterest.org/blog/buzz/russian-
hypersonic-missiles-have-1-goal-and-they-might-be-unstoppable-79591.
13 DF-17, Wikipedia, Accessed 24 Jan 2020, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DF-17.
14David Axe, Wait, China Has TWO Hypersonic Missiles? The National Interest, 03 Dec 2019, Accessed
24 Jan 2020, https://nationalinterest.org/blog/buzz/wait-china-has-two-hypersonic-missiles-101422.
15Richard Stone, ‘National pride is at stake.’ Russia, China, United States race to build hypersonic
weapons, 08 Jan 2020, American Association for the Advancement of Science, 08 Jan 2020, Accessed 24
Jan 2020, https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2020/01/national-pride-stake-russia-china-united-states-race-
build-hypersonic-weapons.
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and national security industry experts project that the annual budget will reach $5
billion by the middle of the next decade. In 2018, the United States Air Force
contracted Lockheed Martin to develop the Air-Launched Rapid Response Weapon
(ARRW), nicknamed ‘Arrow’, as well as the Hypersonic Conventional Strike
Weapon (HCSW), or ‘Hacksaw’. Also, a new Space Development Agency of some
225 people has been created, tasked with putting a network of sensors in low-earth
orbit that would track incoming hypersonic missiles and direct American hypersonic
attacks.16,17
(d) Other Nations. France too has an active hypersonics development
programs, working in partnership with Russia. Australia, Japan and the European
Union have either civilian or military hypersonics research underway, partly
because they are still tantalized by the prospect of making super-speedy airplanes
large enough to carry passengers across the globe in mere hours. But Japan’s
immediate effort is aimed at making a weapon that will be ready for testing by 2025.
Pakistan will take time to acquire a similar hypersonic weapon. They are currently
in an economically weak position to aggressively pursue such a development
programme or acquisition.18
10. The Indian Context.
(a) R&D Initiatives. India is investing US$ 500 million to develop hypersonic
weapons. In Jun 2019, India tested a Hypersonic Technology Development Vehicle
(HSTDV) off its eastern coast. Developed by DRDO and shaped almost like a
sailing ship, HSTDV was launched atop its ballistic missile Agni 1. Although the
missile successfully took off from the range, the test could not be completed to
demonstrate the vehicle at hypersonic speed using scramjet technology, as the
Agni 1 did not reach the desired altitude for the test.19 Regardless, the flight test is
the first step towards the realization of an indigenous hypersonic vehicle. Apart from
DRDO, BrahMos Aerospace (India’s joint venture with Moscow) is learnt to be
developing the BrahMos-II, a hypersonic cruise missile, which is expected to get
ready by 2023.20
(b) Armed Forces. There is scarcely any literature available in the open domain
which gives the perspective of our Armed Forces perspective on how hypersonic
weapons might impinge on our existing operational strategies, and even bring about
a transformation in our warfighting methodologies, as is being suggested by global
literature on the subject as also the frenetic pace of development on hypersonic
weapons being undertaken by major world players. India’s Technology Projection
and Capability Roadmap 2018, which is prepared by the three Services and is

16Talal Husseini, The future of hypersonic weapons: defending against super-fast missiles, Air Force
Technology, 09 Apr 2019, Accessed 24 Jan 2020, https://www.airforce-technology.com/features/future-of-
hypersonic-weapons/.
17Michael T Klare, An ‘Arms Race in Speed’: Hypersonic Weapons and the Changing Calculus of Battle,
Jun 2019, Arms Control Association, Accessed 24 Jan 2020, https://www.armscontrol.org/act/2019-
06/features/arms-race-speed-hypersonic-weapons-changing-calculus-battle#bio.
18 R. Jeffrey Smith, Hypersonic Missiles Are Unstoppable. And They’re Starting a New Global Arms Race,
19 Jun 2019, The New York Times Magazine, Accessed 24 Jan 2020,
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/06/19/ magazine/hypersonic-missiles.html.
19 Hypersonic Technology Demonstrator Vehicle, Wikipedia, Accessed 24 Jan 2020,
https://en.wikipedia.org /wiki/Hypersonic Technology_Demonstrator_Vehicle.
20Samran Ali, Indian Hypersonic Weapons Bring New Challenges to South Asia, South Asia Voices,
Accessed 24 Jan 2020, https://southasianvoices.org/indian-hypersonic-weapons-bring-new-challenges-to-
south-asia/.
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meant as a guide to the industry for development of military technology over the
next 15 years, does not have any hypersonic weapons included in the 221 projects
listed therein. All this goes to show that our Armed Forces are not viewing this
potentially transformative military technology with the seriousness it deserves.

Conclusion
11. This second part has given a brief insight into some of the military applications of
nano and hypersonic weapon technologies, and also reviewed the status of global
research as well as India’s approach towards their development.
12. The concluding part of this three part series makes an assessment on whether India
is correctly poised to adequately leverage disruptive military technologies, and then
discusses how defence R&D processes could be given a boost by placing the Armed
Forces at the fulcrum of India’s military industrial complex, through a process of
specialisation and organisational transformation.