Moscow Reports Accomplished Trial of Atomic-Propelled Storm Petrel Missile
The nation has evaluated the reactor-driven Burevestnik cruise missile, according to the nation's senior general.
"We have conducted a multi-hour flight of a nuclear-powered missile and it traveled a vast distance, which is not the limit," Top Army Official the general told the head of state in a public appearance.
The low-altitude advanced armament, initially revealed in the past decade, has been described as having a potentially unlimited range and the capacity to avoid anti-missile technology.
International analysts have in the past questioned over the projectile's tactical importance and Moscow's assertions of having successfully tested it.
The national leader declared that a "last accomplished trial" of the armament had been carried out in last year, but the statement could not be independently verified. Of at least 13 known tests, just two instances had limited accomplishment since 2016, as per an disarmament advocacy body.
The military leader stated the weapon was in the atmosphere for 15 hours during the trial on October 21.
He explained the weapon's altitude and course adjustments were evaluated and were found to be meeting requirements, as per a domestic media outlet.
"As a result, it demonstrated advanced abilities to evade missile and air defence systems," the news agency quoted the official as saying.
The missile's utility has been the topic of vigorous discussion in military and defence circles since it was first announced in 2018.
A previous study by a US Air Force intelligence center stated: "A reactor-driven long-range projectile would provide the nation a distinctive armament with intercontinental range capability."
However, as a foreign policy research organization noted the same year, the nation faces significant challenges in making the weapon viable.
"Its induction into the country's arsenal arguably hinges not only on resolving the considerable technical challenge of guaranteeing the reliable performance of the nuclear-propulsion unit," experts noted.
"There occurred multiple unsuccessful trials, and an incident leading to a number of casualties."
A military journal referenced in the report claims the weapon has a operational radius of between 6,200 and 12,400 miles, permitting "the missile to be based across the country and still be able to strike goals in the continental US."
The identical publication also notes the missile can travel as low as 164 to 328 feet above the surface, making it difficult for air defences to intercept.
The projectile, referred to as an operational name by a Western alliance, is believed to be driven by a reactor system, which is supposed to activate after initial propulsion units have sent it into the air.
An investigation by a news agency the previous year located a location 295 miles above the capital as the likely launch site of the armament.
Employing space-based photos from last summer, an analyst reported to the outlet he had identified nine horizontal launch pads being built at the facility.
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