Russia Announces Effective Trial of Nuclear-Powered Burevestnik Cruise Missile
The nation has evaluated the atomic-propelled Burevestnik long-range missile, as stated by the country's senior general.
"We have executed a prolonged flight of a reactor-driven projectile and it covered a 14,000km distance, which is not the maximum," Chief of General Staff the commander informed President Vladimir Putin in a broadcast conference.
The terrain-hugging prototype missile, originally disclosed in 2018, has been portrayed as having a possible global reach and the capability to avoid anti-missile technology.
International analysts have earlier expressed skepticism over the projectile's tactical importance and Moscow's assertions of having effectively trialed it.
The president said that a "last accomplished trial" of the weapon had been held in last year, but the assertion was not externally confirmed. Of over a dozen recorded evaluations, just two instances had partial success since several years ago, based on an non-proliferation organization.
Gen Gerasimov stated the weapon was in the atmosphere for fifteen hours during the test on 21 October.
He noted the weapon's altitude and course adjustments were assessed and were determined to be meeting requirements, according to a domestic media outlet.
"Consequently, it demonstrated superior performance to bypass missile and air defence systems," the outlet reported the commander as saying.
The missile's utility has been the topic of vigorous discussion in defence and strategic sectors since it was initially revealed in 2018.
A previous study by a American military analysis unit determined: "An atomic-propelled strategic weapon would offer Moscow a unique weapon with intercontinental range capability."
Nonetheless, as a global defence think tank noted the corresponding time, the nation encounters major obstacles in developing a functional system.
"Its induction into the nation's arsenal likely depends not only on overcoming the significant development hurdle of guaranteeing the consistent operation of the reactor drive mechanism," analysts stated.
"There occurred multiple unsuccessful trials, and a mishap causing multiple fatalities."
A defence publication referenced in the report asserts the missile has a operational radius of between a substantial span, enabling "the projectile to be stationed throughout the nation and still be capable to reach goals in the United States mainland."
The corresponding source also says the missile can travel as low as a very low elevation above ground, causing complexity for air defences to engage.
The weapon, code-named an operational name by a Western alliance, is believed to be propelled by a atomic power source, which is designed to activate after solid fuel rocket boosters have sent it into the sky.
An inquiry by a news agency recently located a facility 295 miles from the city as the possible firing point of the missile.
Using satellite imagery from the recent past, an specialist reported to the outlet he had observed nine horizontal launch pads under construction at the location.
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