Russia Confirms Effective Test of Atomic-Propelled Burevestnik Cruise Missile
The nation has evaluated the atomic-propelled Burevestnik strategic weapon, as stated by the state's senior general.
"We have executed a prolonged flight of a atomic-propelled weapon and it covered a 8,700-mile distance, which is not the limit," Senior Military Leader Valery Gerasimov reported to the head of state in a public appearance.
The low-flying experimental weapon, originally disclosed in 2018, has been hailed as having a possible global reach and the ability to bypass missile defences.
International analysts have earlier expressed skepticism over the missile's strategic value and the nation's statements of having successfully tested it.
The president stated that a "last accomplished trial" of the missile had been carried out in last year, but the claim lacked outside validation. Of at least 13 known tests, just two instances had limited accomplishment since 2016, as per an arms control campaign group.
The general reported the weapon was in the sky for fifteen hours during the test on 21 October.
He said the projectile's ascent and directional control were evaluated and were found to be up to specification, based on a domestic media outlet.
"As a result, it demonstrated high capabilities to circumvent anti-missile and aerial protection," the outlet reported the commander as saying.
The missile's utility has been the subject of intense debate in defence and strategic sectors since it was originally disclosed in recent years.
A 2021 report by a foreign defence research body determined: "An atomic-propelled strategic weapon would offer Moscow a distinctive armament with worldwide reach potential."
Nonetheless, as a foreign policy research organization noted the same year, Moscow confronts major obstacles in achieving operational status.
"Its integration into the country's arsenal arguably hinges not only on overcoming the significant development hurdle of ensuring the dependable functioning of the reactor drive mechanism," specialists wrote.
"There were multiple unsuccessful trials, and an incident resulting in multiple fatalities."
A military journal referenced in the report states the missile has a flight distance of between 6,200 and 12,400 miles, allowing "the missile to be stationed throughout the nation and still be capable to strike goals in the United States mainland."
The same journal also says the projectile can operate as low as 50 to 100 metres above ground, making it difficult for defensive networks to intercept.
The projectile, referred to as an operational name by an international defence pact, is believed to be propelled by a atomic power source, which is designed to engage after initial propulsion units have propelled it into the sky.
An examination by a media outlet the previous year pinpointed a facility a considerable distance above the capital as the probable deployment area of the missile.
Utilizing orbital photographs from the recent past, an expert told the service he had identified multiple firing positions under construction at the site.
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