Russia Reports Successful Test of Atomic-Propelled Storm Petrel Missile

Russia has tested the nuclear-powered Burevestnik cruise missile, according to the state's senior general.

"We have executed a multi-hour flight of a nuclear-powered missile and it traversed a vast distance, which is not the limit," Top Army Official the general told the Russian leader in a televised meeting.

The low-altitude advanced armament, initially revealed in recent years, has been hailed as having a theoretically endless flight path and the ability to bypass anti-missile technology.

International analysts have previously cast doubt over the projectile's tactical importance and Russian claims of having accomplished its evaluation.

The national leader stated that a "last accomplished trial" of the armament had been conducted in 2023, but the assertion was not externally confirmed. Of at least 13 known tests, just two instances had limited accomplishment since 2016, according to an non-proliferation organization.

Gen Gerasimov stated the missile was in the air for a significant duration during the test on October 21.

He said the missile's vertical and horizontal manoeuvring were evaluated and were determined to be meeting requirements, as per a local reporting service.

"As a result, it exhibited advanced abilities to evade defensive networks," the news agency quoted the commander as saying.

The weapon's usefulness has been the topic of vigorous discussion in defence and strategic sectors since it was initially revealed in 2018.

A previous study by a foreign defence research body determined: "An atomic-propelled strategic weapon would provide the nation a singular system with worldwide reach potential."

Nonetheless, as an international strategic institute commented the identical period, Russia confronts considerable difficulties in developing a functional system.

"Its induction into the state's inventory likely depends not only on surmounting the substantial engineering obstacle of securing the reliable performance of the atomic power system," experts wrote.

"There have been several flawed evaluations, and a mishap leading to multiple fatalities."

A defence publication quoted in the report claims the missile has a flight distance of between 6,200 and 12,400 miles, enabling "the missile to be based anywhere in Russia and still be able to target targets in the American territory."

The corresponding source also notes the weapon can operate as low as 50 to 100 metres above ground, rendering it challenging for defensive networks to intercept.

The projectile, designated an operational name by a Western alliance, is believed to be driven by a atomic power source, which is designed to engage after solid fuel rocket boosters have sent it into the air.

An inquiry by a media outlet recently located a location 475km above the capital as the likely launch site of the armament.

Utilizing space-based photos from last summer, an analyst told the agency he had observed several deployment sites under construction at the site.

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