Russia Confirms Accomplished Trial of Reactor-Driven Burevestnik Missile
The nation has evaluated the nuclear-powered Burevestnik long-range missile, according to the country's leading commander.
"We have conducted a prolonged flight of a atomic-propelled weapon and it traveled a vast distance, which is not the limit," Top Army Official the commander told the head of state in a public appearance.
The low-flying advanced armament, originally disclosed in recent years, has been described as having a potentially unlimited range and the capability to evade missile defences.
International analysts have in the past questioned over the projectile's tactical importance and Russian claims of having accomplished its evaluation.
The head of state said that a "last accomplished trial" of the armament had been carried out in the previous year, but the statement lacked outside validation. Of a minimum of thirteen documented trials, only two had limited accomplishment since the mid-2010s, based on an non-proliferation organization.
The general stated the projectile was in the sky for a significant duration during the evaluation on 21 October.
He explained the missile's vertical and horizontal manoeuvring were evaluated and were found to be meeting requirements, according to a local reporting service.
"As a result, it displayed advanced abilities to evade missile and air defence systems," the media source quoted the official as saying.
The projectile's application has been the subject of heated controversy in armed forces and security communities since it was originally disclosed in the past decade.
A recent analysis by a US Air Force intelligence center concluded: "An atomic-propelled strategic weapon would provide the nation a distinctive armament with global strike capacity."
However, as a global defence think tank noted the identical period, Moscow confronts major obstacles in developing a functional system.
"Its induction into the country's inventory potentially relies not only on overcoming the significant development hurdle of securing the dependable functioning of the atomic power system," analysts noted.
"There were multiple unsuccessful trials, and a mishap resulting in multiple fatalities."
A defence publication referenced in the analysis states the projectile has a flight distance of between 6,200 and 12,400 miles, allowing "the missile to be stationed throughout the nation and still be equipped to reach objectives in the United States mainland."
The same journal also notes the missile can travel as at minimal altitude as 164 to 328 feet above ground, making it difficult for air defences to intercept.
The missile, referred to as Skyfall by an international defence pact, is believed to be powered by a reactor system, which is supposed to commence operation after primary launch mechanisms have sent it into the sky.
An investigation by a media outlet last year identified a facility 475km north of Moscow as the probable deployment area of the armament.
Employing space-based photos from August 2024, an specialist informed the outlet he had detected several deployment sites being built at the facility.
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