Russia Reports Effective Evaluation of Atomic-Propelled Storm Petrel Weapon

Russia has tested the nuclear-powered Burevestnik strategic weapon, as reported by the state's senior general.

"We have executed a prolonged flight of a nuclear-powered missile and it covered a 14,000km distance, which is not the maximum," Chief of General Staff the commander told the head of state in a public appearance.

The terrain-hugging prototype missile, initially revealed in recent years, has been hailed as having a possible global reach and the ability to evade anti-missile technology.

International analysts have previously cast doubt over the projectile's tactical importance and the nation's statements of having successfully tested it.

The president said that a "final successful test" of the armament had been held in last year, but the claim was not externally confirmed. Of a minimum of thirteen documented trials, only two had moderate achievement since 2016, according to an non-proliferation organization.

Gen Gerasimov said the weapon was in the sky for fifteen hours during the evaluation on 21 October.

He said the missile's vertical and horizontal manoeuvring were evaluated and were found to be up to specification, as per a local reporting service.

"As a result, it exhibited high capabilities to evade defensive networks," the outlet reported 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 recent analysis by a US Air Force intelligence center concluded: "An atomic-propelled strategic weapon would offer Moscow a unique weapon with intercontinental range capability."

Yet, as an international strategic institute commented the identical period, Russia encounters significant challenges in achieving operational status.

"Its entry into the state's arsenal arguably hinges not only on surmounting the considerable technical challenge of securing the consistent operation of the nuclear-propulsion unit," analysts stated.

"There occurred multiple unsuccessful trials, and an incident resulting in a number of casualties."

A defence publication referenced in the report states the projectile has a operational radius of between 10,000 and 20,000km, allowing "the weapon to be based across the country and still be equipped to target targets in the United States mainland."

The corresponding source also notes the missile can fly as at minimal altitude as a very low elevation above the earth, causing complexity for defensive networks to intercept.

The missile, code-named a specific moniker by an international defence pact, is believed to be powered by a atomic power source, which is intended to activate after solid fuel rocket boosters have sent it into the air.

An examination by a reporting service last year identified a location 295 miles above the capital as the likely launch site of the missile.

Employing orbital photographs from August 2024, an expert reported to the outlet he had identified several deployment sites in development at the facility.

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