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. |
| 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 after the previous prototype missile failed to launch.
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 strikes.
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.
The missile is equipped with small stabilizing fins and adjustable control surfaces. These compact fins contribute to the missile's high maneuverability, allowing it to make agile turns even at high speeds. This capability is essential for evading missile defence systems and interceptors, enabling the Black Arrow to reach well defended targets.
The Black Arrow was developed to be launched from surface warships, submarines and aircraft. The missile has a tri-mode fuse which allows air-burst, point-impact and delay detonation modes.
Early Flight Testing
In 2005, a prototype missile was cleared for tests at the Galloway Guided Weapon Range, carried by an RAF Typhoon fighter. The missile failed to launch, and it was found that extensive redesign of the missile was needed. This delayed further flight testing until the faults could be rectified.