Moscow Announces Accomplished Trial of Atomic-Propelled Burevestnik Missile

Moscow has trialed the reactor-driven Burevestnik long-range missile, as stated by the nation's leading commander.

"We have executed a extended flight of a reactor-driven projectile and it traversed a 8,700-mile distance, which is not the maximum," Chief of General Staff the commander informed the head of state in a public appearance.

The low-flying prototype missile, originally disclosed in the past decade, has been described as having a possible global reach and the ability to avoid defensive systems.

International analysts have previously cast doubt over the weapon's military utility and Russian claims of having successfully tested it.

The head of state stated that a "final successful test" of the weapon had been held in last year, but the assertion could not be independently verified. Of at least 13 known tests, only two had partial success since several years ago, based on an arms control campaign group.

Gen Gerasimov said the projectile was in the air for a significant duration during the evaluation on the specified date.

He noted the projectile's ascent and directional control were evaluated and were confirmed as up to specification, as per a local reporting service.

"Therefore, it displayed high capabilities to circumvent anti-missile and aerial protection," the media source stated the general as saying.

The projectile's application has been the topic of intense debate in military and defence circles since it was first announced in recent years.

A recent analysis by a US Air Force intelligence center stated: "A nuclear-powered cruise missile would provide the nation a singular system with intercontinental range capability."

Yet, as a foreign policy research organization commented the corresponding time, the nation faces significant challenges in achieving operational status.

"Its integration into the state's stockpile arguably hinges not only on resolving the considerable technical challenge of securing the consistent operation of the reactor drive mechanism," experts wrote.

"There have been several flawed evaluations, and an accident causing a number of casualties."

A military journal cited in the report states the weapon has a flight distance of between 6,200 and 12,400 miles, allowing "the projectile to be deployed anywhere in Russia and still be capable to strike goals in the United States mainland."

The identical publication also says the weapon can fly as low as 50 to 100 metres above the surface, making it difficult for defensive networks to stop.

The projectile, code-named a specific moniker by an international defence pact, is thought to be driven by a atomic power source, which is intended to engage after initial propulsion units have propelled it into the sky.

An inquiry by a news agency the previous year located a site 295 miles north of Moscow as the probable deployment area of the weapon.

Utilizing orbital photographs from August 2024, an analyst reported to the agency he had observed multiple firing positions being built at the site.

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