Russia Reports Effective Trial of Atomic-Propelled Storm Petrel Missile
The nation has evaluated the reactor-driven Burevestnik long-range missile, according to the country's leading commander.
"We have launched a multi-hour flight of a atomic-propelled weapon and it traversed a 14,000km distance, which is not the limit," Chief of General Staff the general reported to the head of state in a public appearance.
The low-flying prototype missile, first announced in recent years, has been described as having a potentially unlimited range and the capability to avoid anti-missile technology.
Western experts have previously cast doubt over the missile's strategic value and Russian claims of having effectively trialed it.
The national leader said that a "final successful test" of the weapon had been held in 2023, but the claim was not externally confirmed. Of over a dozen recorded evaluations, only two had partial success since several years ago, based on an disarmament advocacy body.
Gen Gerasimov reported the missile was in the air for 15 hours during the test on 21 October.
He said the weapon's altitude and course adjustments were assessed and were found to be up to specification, as per a national news agency.
"Consequently, it exhibited advanced abilities to bypass defensive networks," the outlet stated the official as saying.
The missile's utility has been the focus of intense debate in military and defence circles since it was first announced in 2018.
A 2021 report by a American military analysis unit stated: "An atomic-propelled strategic weapon would provide the nation a singular system with intercontinental range capability."
Yet, as a global defence think tank observed the identical period, the nation confronts major obstacles in achieving operational status.
"Its entry into the state's stockpile arguably hinges not only on resolving the substantial engineering obstacle of guaranteeing the reliable performance of the nuclear-propulsion unit," experts stated.
"There have been multiple unsuccessful trials, and a mishap leading to a number of casualties."
A armed forces periodical quoted in the analysis claims the weapon has a range of between 10,000 and 20,000km, enabling "the missile to be based anywhere in Russia and still be equipped to target goals in the United States mainland."
The identical publication also explains the missile can travel as at minimal altitude as a very low elevation above the earth, causing complexity for air defences to intercept.
The missile, referred to as Skyfall by a Western alliance, is considered powered by a atomic power source, which is designed to activate after solid fuel rocket boosters have launched it into the air.
An inquiry by a news agency last year identified a location 295 miles from the city as the possible firing point of the weapon.
Utilizing orbital photographs from last summer, an analyst informed the agency he had observed several deployment sites being built at the site.
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