Moscow Confirms Successful Trial of Atomic-Propelled Burevestnik Cruise Missile
The nation has evaluated the atomic-propelled Burevestnik long-range missile, according to the state's senior general.
"We have conducted a extended flight of a reactor-driven projectile and it traveled a 8,700-mile distance, which is not the ultimate range," Senior Military Leader Valery Gerasimov reported to President Vladimir Putin in a televised meeting.
The terrain-hugging experimental weapon, first announced in 2018, has been hailed as having a theoretically endless flight path and the capability to avoid defensive systems.
International analysts have earlier expressed skepticism over the weapon's military utility and the nation's statements of having accomplished its evaluation.
The head of state said that a "final successful test" of the weapon had been conducted in 2023, but the statement could not be independently verified. Of over a dozen recorded evaluations, only two had partial success since the mid-2010s, according to an arms control campaign group.
Gen Gerasimov reported the missile was in the air for fifteen hours during the evaluation on 21 October.
He explained the weapon's altitude and course adjustments were assessed and were found to be meeting requirements, as per a local reporting service.
"Therefore, it exhibited advanced abilities to circumvent anti-missile and aerial protection," the outlet quoted the official as saying.
The missile's utility has been the focus of vigorous discussion in defence and strategic sectors since it was initially revealed in 2018.
A previous study by a US Air Force intelligence center determined: "A nuclear-powered cruise missile would provide the nation a singular system with worldwide reach potential."
Yet, as an international strategic institute noted the corresponding time, the nation confronts significant challenges in making the weapon viable.
"Its integration into the state's stockpile arguably hinges not only on overcoming the significant development hurdle of guaranteeing the dependable functioning of the reactor drive mechanism," specialists wrote.
"There have been several flawed evaluations, and a mishap resulting in several deaths."
A defence publication referenced in the study claims the weapon has a range of between 6,200 and 12,400 miles, permitting "the projectile to be stationed throughout the nation and still be able to reach targets in the American territory."
The corresponding source also notes the weapon can operate as close to the ground as 50 to 100 metres above the surface, making it difficult for air defences to intercept.
The weapon, referred to as a specific moniker by a foreign security organization, is believed to be propelled by a reactor system, which is supposed to activate after primary launch mechanisms have launched it into the sky.
An investigation by a news agency last year located a site 475km north of Moscow as the probable deployment area of the missile.
Using orbital photographs from August 2024, an specialist reported to the outlet he had observed several deployment sites under construction at the location.
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