# The second flight test of the long-range hypersonic anti-ship missile (LR-AShM), developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), was conducted off the Odisha coast.

*aerospace · news · 2026-05-07 · THE WEEK*

## Key points

- The LR-AShM missile achieves Mach 10 speeds and averages Mach 5.0 with a quasi-ballistic trajectory.
- The missile features indigenously developed avionics and advanced high-precision sensor packages.
- LR-AShM uses two-stage solid propulsion before an unpowered atmospheric glide to engage targets.
- Its terminal phase employs homegrown sensors for precise engagement of moving targets at hypersonic speeds.
- The missile's combination of low-altitude flight, speed, and manoeuvrability evades most radar detection.

The second flight test of the long-range hypersonic anti-ship missile (LR-AShM), developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), was conducted off the Odisha coast. While the defence ministry or the DRDO did not offer any details about such a testing, the social media handle of the BJP claimed that India’s “hypersonic edge just got sharper.” "DRDO’s LR-AShM Phase-II test off the Odisha coast signals a new era. Reflecting the vision of PM Modi for a self-reliant, future-ready India, it marks a powerful leap in indigenous defence innovation" the tweet by BJP read. LR-AShM is a hypersonic glide weapon designed to strike both stationary and moving targets, while being capable of carrying a range of payloads. It is a first-of-its-kind system featuring indigenous avionics and advanced, high-precision sensor packages. The missile follows a quasi-ballistic trajectory with hypersonic speeds starting at Mach 10 and maintaining an average Mach 5.0 with multiple skips. Equipped with indigenously developed sensors for terminal-phase engagement of moving targets, LR-AShM combines low-altitude flight, high speed, and exceptional manoeuvrability, making it difficult for enemy ground- and ship-based radar systems to detect the missile through most of its flight path. The two-stage solid propulsion rocket motor system boosts the missile to the required hypersonic velocities. Stage-1 of the vehicle is separated after it is spent. After Stage-II burnout, the vehicle performs an unpowered glide with required manoeuvres in the atmosphere before engaging the target.

**Countries:** India

[Read the full story on THE WEEK](https://www.theweek.in/news/defence/2026/05/04/signaling-major-leap-in-indias-strike-power-drdo-quietly-tests-mach-10-hypersonic-missile.html)

---

Canonical: https://newsio.io/n/f0d11cb8-e89b-4276-a403-0b27bf47b988/the-second-flight-test-of-the-long-range-hypersonic-anti-ship-missile-lr-ashm-de
Summarized by Newsio from THE WEEK. https://newsio.io/how-it-works