Russia's "Super Weapon": Experts Analyze Russia's Nuclear-Powered Missile Test

Europe - Russian President Putin announced on October 26 that Russia successfully tested the "Burevestnik" nuclear-powered cruise missile, moving towards deploying this weapon. US President Trump responded on Monday, saying that Putin should focus on ending the Ukraine war rather than testing a nuclear-powered missile. He also said that the US has deployed a nuclear submarine near Russian waters.

Let's see how experts comment on this innovative weapon:

Aurélien Dufay, a researcher at the IESD Center and a nuclear propulsion expert, told AFP that unlike conventional missiles that use only chemical fuel, the "Burevestnik" missile (which means "Storm Bird" in Russian) uses a nuclear reactor. The latter heats hydrogen as fuel and produces thrust. "This significantly extends flight time and range." "It's a bit like having an engine that consumes much less fuel per hundred kilometers."

According to Russia, the missile flew 14,000 kilometers in 15 hours. Aurélien Dufay, a nuclear propulsion expert, said, "Its target is long-duration low-altitude flight, at heights between 15 to 200 meters, which increases the difficulty of detection."

The nuclear propulsion expert also said it could be imagined that "it takes off from Russia, goes around South America, and attacks North America from the south, where the anti-missile defense systems may not be as strong." Héloïse Fayet, a nuclear expert at the French think tank IFRI, believes that on the other hand, its speed is relatively slow, subsonic, and "its maneuverability and evasion capabilities are inherently limited by its slow speed."

This weapon attempts to counter the strengthening of anti-missile defense systems, especially the US and its "Globus" project. Dmitry Stefanovich, a Russian nuclear analyst, explained on X TV: "The US 'Globus' and the development projects of anti-missile defense systems are one of the main driving forces behind this project."

Aurélien Dufay, a nuclear propulsion expert, added, "The design concept of this missile is entirely aimed at bypassing anti-missile defense systems." Éloïse Fayet explained to AFP, "We can easily imagine that, with its maneuverability and unlimited range, it can harass and weaken the anti-missile defense system, then make way for other missiles (conventional missiles)."

Ms. Fayet explained that currently, its strategic impact remains limited. "This missile has not yet been put into use, there is no infrastructure in the troops, and there are no usage guidelines." Ms. Fayet also said, "I think this should be seen as Putin's attempt to continue stalling Trump on nuclear forces and missile defense issues. Convincing Trump absolutely needs 'Globus', and mobilizing a large amount of resources, which is in his interest."

Etienne Marcuz, a researcher at the Federal Service for Social Policy (FRS) in France, explained on X that nowadays neither the US nor Europe has "a missile defense system capable of intercepting large-scale ballistic and cruise missile attacks."

She concluded, "Therefore, it is a destabilizing weapon in the field of missile defense, indicating that Russia still has innovation capabilities, and they are not too concerned about security issues."

If it hits the target or is intercepted, whether carrying a nuclear warhead or a conventional warhead, pollution is inevitable. Ms. Fayet explained that however, this test apparently did not cause any detectable pollution. "Although the test passed through the detection area of the Norwegian radiation monitoring agency, the agency did not detect any radioactive substances. Similarly, the monitoring stations of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) did not detect any radioactive substances. Therefore, it can be inferred that the missile itself is not radioactive."

However, Mr. Dufay said that since "the fuel goes through the nuclear reactor, in my opinion, some leakage is still unavoidable." "Moreover, once the missile is launched into the reactor, the missile itself becomes radioactive. If you get too close to the missile, you will be exposed to radiation, which means the missile is difficult to use and cannot be tested too much. However, in nuclear deterrence, the signal is important, as well as the credibility brought by the test."

Sources: rfi

Original: www.toutiao.com/article/1847180342259724/

Statement: This article represents the views of the author."