Russia Announces Effective Trial of Atomic-Propelled Storm Petrel Missile

Russia has tested the atomic-propelled Burevestnik long-range missile, as reported by the country's leading commander.

"We have conducted a multi-hour flight of a nuclear-powered missile and it traversed a 14,000km distance, which is not the ultimate range," Chief of General Staff the commander told the Russian leader in a public appearance.

The terrain-hugging prototype missile, initially revealed in the past decade, has been portrayed as having a possible global reach and the capability to avoid anti-missile technology.

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

The national leader said that a "final successful test" of the armament had been conducted in the previous year, but the statement was not externally confirmed. Of at least 13 known tests, just two instances had partial success since the mid-2010s, as per an arms control campaign group.

The military leader stated the projectile was in the air for a significant duration during the evaluation on 21 October.

He noted the weapon's altitude and course adjustments were assessed and were confirmed as complying with standards, according to a national news agency.

"As a result, it demonstrated superior performance to evade anti-missile and aerial protection," the outlet quoted the official as saying.

The missile's utility has been the focus of heated controversy in armed forces and security communities since it was first announced in 2018.

A 2021 report by a US Air Force intelligence center stated: "A reactor-driven long-range projectile would offer Moscow a unique weapon with intercontinental range capability."

However, as an international strategic institute commented the corresponding time, the nation confronts major obstacles in developing a functional system.

"Its integration into the country's stockpile potentially relies not only on overcoming the substantial engineering obstacle of securing the dependable functioning of the reactor drive mechanism," analysts stated.

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

A military journal cited in the study states the missile has a operational radius of between 6,200 and 12,400 miles, permitting "the weapon to be deployed across the country and still be equipped to strike objectives in the United States mainland."

The identical publication also says the projectile can operate as close to the ground as 50 to 100 metres above the surface, making it difficult for defensive networks to intercept.

The missile, referred to as Skyfall by a Western alliance, is believed to be driven by a atomic power source, which is designed to commence operation after initial propulsion units have sent it into the atmosphere.

An investigation by a reporting service the previous year pinpointed a location 295 miles above the capital as the possible firing point of the armament.

Using space-based photos from the recent past, an analyst told the outlet he had observed multiple firing positions in development at the site.

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