Russia Reports Accomplished Evaluation of Reactor-Driven Storm Petrel Missile

The nation has evaluated the nuclear-powered Burevestnik strategic weapon, as reported by the nation's leading commander.

"We have executed a extended flight of a nuclear-powered missile and it traveled a vast distance, which is not the ultimate range," Chief of General Staff the general reported to the Russian leader in a public appearance.

The low-flying prototype missile, first announced in recent years, has been hailed as having a possible global reach and the ability to bypass anti-missile technology.

Foreign specialists have earlier expressed skepticism over the projectile's tactical importance and Moscow's assertions of having effectively trialed it.

The head of state stated that a "final successful test" of the armament had been conducted in the previous year, but the claim lacked outside validation. Of a minimum of thirteen documented trials, just two instances had moderate achievement since 2016, according to an arms control campaign group.

The general said the weapon was in the sky for a significant duration during the evaluation on October 21.

He noted the weapon's altitude and course adjustments were assessed and were found to be up to specification, based on a national news agency.

"Therefore, it demonstrated high capabilities to bypass defensive networks," the outlet quoted the commander as saying.

The projectile's application has been the focus of heated controversy in armed forces and security communities since it was originally disclosed in the past decade.

A 2021 report by a US Air Force intelligence center stated: "An atomic-propelled strategic weapon would offer Moscow a singular system with worldwide reach potential."

However, as a foreign policy research organization commented the identical period, the nation confronts considerable difficulties in achieving operational status.

"Its entry into the state's arsenal arguably hinges not only on resolving the substantial engineering obstacle of ensuring the dependable functioning of the atomic power system," experts stated.

"There have been numerous flight-test failures, and an incident causing a number of casualties."

A defence publication referenced in the analysis asserts the weapon has a range of between 10,000 and 20,000km, allowing "the missile to be deployed anywhere in Russia and still be equipped to strike targets in the continental US."

The identical publication also explains the projectile can fly as low as a very low elevation above the earth, making it difficult for defensive networks to intercept.

The missile, code-named Skyfall by a foreign security organization, is considered propelled by a atomic power source, which is intended to commence operation after solid fuel rocket boosters have launched it into the sky.

An examination by a news agency recently pinpointed a facility 295 miles from the city as the probable deployment area of the weapon.

Utilizing space-based photos from August 2024, an specialist told the outlet he had identified several deployment sites being built at the facility.

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