Moscow Reports Effective Trial of Atomic-Propelled Storm Petrel Missile
Moscow has trialed the nuclear-powered Burevestnik long-range missile, according to the state's top military official.
"We have launched a multi-hour flight of a reactor-driven projectile and it covered a 14,000km distance, which is not the ultimate range," Chief of General Staff Valery Gerasimov told the Russian leader in a televised meeting.
The low-flying advanced armament, first announced in the past decade, has been described as having a potentially unlimited range and the capability to evade anti-missile technology.
International analysts have previously cast doubt over the missile's strategic value and Moscow's assertions of having accomplished its evaluation.
The head of state stated that a "last accomplished trial" of the armament had been conducted in the previous year, but the statement could not be independently verified. Of at least 13 known tests, just two instances had limited accomplishment since several years ago, according to an disarmament advocacy body.
The military leader stated the weapon was in the air for a significant duration during the evaluation on 21 October.
He noted the projectile's ascent and directional control were evaluated and were determined to be up to specification, as per a national news agency.
"Consequently, it displayed advanced abilities to evade missile and air defence systems," the outlet quoted the general as saying.
The missile's utility has been the subject of heated controversy in military and defence circles since it was originally disclosed in recent years.
A recent analysis by a US Air Force intelligence center concluded: "A nuclear-powered cruise missile would give Russia a singular system with worldwide reach potential."
Yet, as a global defence think tank noted the same year, Russia encounters major obstacles in developing a functional system.
"Its entry into the country's arsenal arguably hinges not only on overcoming the considerable technical challenge of securing the reliable performance of the nuclear-propulsion unit," experts stated.
"There have been multiple unsuccessful trials, and an incident resulting in a number of casualties."
A defence publication referenced in the analysis states the missile has a flight distance of between 6,200 and 12,400 miles, allowing "the projectile to be based throughout the nation and still be equipped to target goals in the American territory."
The identical publication also explains the weapon can operate as at minimal altitude as 50 to 100 metres above the surface, rendering it challenging for aerial protection systems to stop.
The projectile, designated an operational name by a Western alliance, is believed to be powered by a atomic power source, which is designed to activate after solid fuel rocket boosters have launched it into the sky.
An investigation by a news agency last year located a site 475km from the city as the possible firing point of the missile.
Employing space-based photos from the recent past, an specialist reported to the agency he had detected nine horizontal launch pads under construction at the location.
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