Moscow Announces Effective Trial of Atomic-Propelled Storm Petrel Weapon

Moscow has trialed the nuclear-powered Burevestnik cruise missile, as stated by the country's leading commander.

"We have launched a prolonged flight of a atomic-propelled weapon and it covered a 14,000km distance, which is not the limit," Senior Military Leader the commander informed President Vladimir Putin in a televised meeting.

The terrain-hugging advanced armament, originally disclosed in recent years, has been described as having a theoretically endless flight path and the ability to evade defensive systems.

Western experts have earlier expressed skepticism over the projectile's tactical importance and the nation's statements of having effectively trialed it.

The president declared that a "last accomplished trial" of the armament had been conducted in the previous year, but the assertion was not externally confirmed. Of a minimum of thirteen documented trials, merely a pair had limited accomplishment since several years ago, as per an disarmament advocacy body.

Gen Gerasimov reported the missile was in the atmosphere for a significant duration during the evaluation on the specified date.

He noted the projectile's ascent and directional control were tested and were found to be meeting requirements, based on a domestic media outlet.

"As a result, it displayed high capabilities to bypass anti-missile and aerial protection," the outlet quoted the commander as saying.

The missile's utility has been the topic of intense debate in military and defence circles since it was initially revealed in 2018.

A recent analysis by a American military analysis unit stated: "A nuclear-powered cruise missile would offer Moscow a singular system with global strike capacity."

However, as a global defence think tank commented the same year, the nation confronts major obstacles in developing a functional system.

"Its entry into the nation's arsenal likely depends not only on resolving the substantial engineering obstacle of guaranteeing the consistent operation of the reactor drive mechanism," specialists stated.

"There were multiple unsuccessful trials, and an accident resulting in several deaths."

A defence publication cited in the report claims the missile has a range of between 10,000 and 20,000km, enabling "the weapon to be stationed anywhere in Russia and still be capable to strike objectives in the American territory."

The same journal also explains the missile can operate as low as 164 to 328 feet above the surface, making it difficult for air defences to stop.

The missile, referred to as Skyfall by an international defence pact, is believed to be powered by a reactor system, which is designed to activate after solid fuel rocket boosters have sent it into the air.

An investigation by a media outlet recently located a facility 295 miles above the capital as the possible firing point of the armament.

Using satellite imagery from the recent past, an expert told the agency he had identified multiple firing positions being built at the site.

Related Developments

• President Authorizes Amendments to Atomic Policy