Moscow Confirms Effective Trial of Reactor-Driven Burevestnik Missile
The nation has evaluated the reactor-driven Burevestnik strategic weapon, as stated by the state'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," Senior Military Leader the commander told the Russian leader in a public appearance.
The terrain-hugging prototype missile, initially revealed in the past decade, has been hailed as having a possible global reach and the capacity to bypass defensive systems.
International analysts have earlier expressed skepticism over the weapon's military utility and Russian claims of having accomplished its evaluation.
The president declared that a "final successful test" of the armament had been held in 2023, but the statement lacked outside validation. Of a minimum of thirteen documented trials, only two had moderate achievement since the mid-2010s, according to an non-proliferation organization.
Gen Gerasimov stated the weapon was in the atmosphere for 15 hours during the evaluation on October 21.
He noted the missile's vertical and horizontal manoeuvring were tested and were confirmed as complying with standards, based on a national news agency.
"As a result, it exhibited advanced abilities to evade missile and air defence systems," the media source reported the official as saying.
The weapon's usefulness has been the topic of intense debate in military and defence circles since it was originally disclosed in 2018.
A previous study by a foreign defence research body concluded: "A nuclear-powered cruise missile would provide the nation a distinctive armament with intercontinental range capability."
Nonetheless, as a global defence think tank noted the identical period, the nation encounters significant challenges in developing a functional system.
"Its induction into the country's arsenal arguably hinges not only on resolving the substantial engineering obstacle of ensuring the dependable functioning of the atomic power system," specialists wrote.
"There have been several flawed evaluations, and an incident leading to a number of casualties."
A defence publication referenced in the analysis states the missile has a flight distance of between a substantial span, permitting "the projectile to be based across the country and still be equipped to reach goals in the American territory."
The same journal also explains the projectile can operate as low as a very low elevation above ground, causing complexity for air defences to intercept.
The weapon, designated Skyfall by a foreign security organization, is thought to be driven by a reactor system, which is intended to commence operation after initial propulsion units have sent it into the air.
An inquiry by a media outlet last year identified a location 295 miles above the capital as the probable deployment area of the weapon.
Employing space-based photos from August 2024, an analyst told the service he had identified several deployment sites under construction at the site.
Related Developments
- National Leader Approves Modifications to Strategic Guidelines
