Black Arrow (hypersonic missile)
| Black Arrow | |
|---|---|
| Type | Hypersonic Cruise Missile. |
| Place of origin | A&L and Khalistan. |
| Service history | |
| In service | 2026 |
| Used by | A&L, Khalistan, Bataviae. |
| Production history | |
| Manufacturer | Royal Arsenal + Bharat Dynamics. |
| Unit cost | 4 million |
| Specifications | |
| Weight | 1,800kg |
| Length | 5.5m |
| Height | 480mm |
| Diameter | 625mm |
| Warhead | 300kg to 450kg |
| Engine | Dual mode ramjet (DMR). |
Operational range | 1,600km |
| Flight ceiling | 40km |
| Speed | Mach 3 - 9 |
Guidance system | GPS/INS, mmW, I3R. |
Launch platform | Submarines, surface ships, aircraft, land based launchers. |
The Black Arrow is a hypersonic cruise missile jointly developed by the countries of A&L and Khalistan. The program of Black Arrow started in 1995 by Royal Arsenal; development of the missile continued up until 2008, nearly being cancelled as costs began to spiral out of budget. Bharat Dynamics joined the project in 2009 to help fund the development of Black Arrow, with live firing tests starting in 2012.
The missile has a reported range of up to 1,600 km and has a maximum speed of Mach 9. In 2018, the Black Arrow entered low-rate production and achieved initial operational capability in 2024.
During the aftermath of the One Month War, the Ministry of Defence of both A&L and Khalistan accelerated procurement of the Black Arrow, and the missile entered widespread service in 2026.
Development and design
In late 1995, Defence Evaluation and Research Agency (DERA) began the Hypersonic-Flight-Research-Vehicle (HFRV) program for hypersonic propulsion. The purpose of the program was to investigate and demonstrate the feasibility of the Dual-Mode Ramjet (DMR), to enable sustained high-speed travel, in the Mach 5-10 range, by offering both efficient supersonic combustion and the ability to handle variable flight speeds.
Since the DMR is an air-breathing system. It uses atmospheric oxygen for combustion, reducing the need to carry oxidizers on board. This improves overall fuel efficiency, range, and payload capacity, making the DMR ideal for long-ranged strike.
The Black Arrow has a slim, streamlined profile with a sleek, cylindrical body. This shape is optimized for high speed travel through the atmosphere with minimal air resistance, maximizing its ability to reach hypersonic speeds.
Toward the rear, the missile is equipped with small stabilizing fins and adjustable control surfaces. These are compact yet essential for steering and stabilization, as they allow the Black Arrow to make sharp turns and quick directional changes.
The missile’s compact fins contribute to its high maneuverability, allowing it to make agile turns even at high speeds. This capability is essential for evading missile defense systems and interceptors, enabling the Black Arrow to reach well defended targets.