Burevestnik Missile: Successful 14,000 km Test by Russia

Happy reading everybody!

I’m torn between being afraid of such a missile and yet seeing the potential for deterrence. How about you?

Barent’s Observer

The Chief of the General Staff, Valery Gerasimov, told Vladimir Putin on Sunday that a successful test of the Burevestnik missile was carried out on October 21, with the missile flying 14,000 km and in the air for about 15 hours.

Neither Gerasimov, nor Putin, said where the test took place, but the Barents Observer has studied NOTAM (Notice to Airmen) announcements for last Tuesday showing that Russia had closed off a large area around Novaya Zemlya.

Several vessels linked to the testing program were positioned along the coast of the Arctic archipelago, both on the Barents Sea and Kara Sea sides. Also, Rosatom and the Armed Forces had aircraft based at the Rogochevo airfield at the time.

There has been a lot of activity at and around the Pankovo test site for the Burevestnik missile all summer and autumn as previously reported by the Barents Observer.

Putin did not hide his pride when he on Sunday commented on the test that took place on October 21.

“I remember vividly when we announced that we were developing such a weapon, even highly qualified specialists told me that, yes, it was a good and worthy goal, but unrealizable in the near future. This was the opinion of specialists, I repeat, highly qualified. And now the decisive tests have been completed,” Putin said according to the transcript posted by the Kremlin from Sunday’s meeting with Gerasimov.

Partial transcript below – Translation has it’s limits, but, you’ll get the idea. Kremlin.ru

Vladimir Putin:

Dear comrades!

Today, during the meeting, we will consider the current situation, the in the zone of special military operation, in its separate directions, we will hear reports of the commanders of the groupings of troops on the performance of tasks subordinates by those groups.

In addition, this week the Russian Armed Forces were training of the strategic offensive forces, during which Combat training and combat launches of all three components of strategic nuclear forces the Russian Federation, as well as tests of prospective samples armaments.
Now about the exercise that was held. I would ask Chief of the General Staff to report on another event, I am so short mentioned him in his opening remarks – we are talking about the trial of the winged the “Petrel” missile with nuclear energy installation. I know I have a report from the industry and in general to me the estimates of the Ministry of Defense are also a unique product, which No one in the world.

Moreover, I remember perfectly when we stated that such weapons are being developed, then even specialists of a very high level and class told me that yes, this is a good goal, worthy, but in the historical near future unrealizable. It was the opinion of experts, I repeat, high class. And now the decisive tests are over.

There is still a lot of work to put this weapon on combat duty, this is understandable, there you need to implement all the regulations. But nevertheless, the key tasks have now been achieved, as far as I understand, and I would like to hear the opinion of the Chief of the General Staff.

V. Gerasimov: Comrade Supreme Commander-in-Chief, such a test was held on October 21. Indeed, its difference from previous tests is that was carried out for many hours of flight of the rocket, during which it overcame distance of 14 thousand kilometers, and this is not the limit.

Vladimir Putin: At the nuclear installation?

V. Gerasimov: Comrade Supreme Commander-in-Chief, such a test was held on October 21. Indeed, its difference from previous tests is that was carried out for many hours of flight of the rocket, during which it overcame distance of 14 thousand kilometers, and this is not the limit.

V. Gerasimov: At the nuclear power plant, yes.

Technical characteristics of “Petrel” generally allow apply it with guaranteed accuracy in highly protected objects on any distance.

In addition, during the flight of the rocket, all the specified vertical and horizontal maneuvers, and thus demonstrated it high opportunities for bypassing anti-missile, anti-aircraft defense.

Vladimir Putin: And [How long] was in the air?

V. Gerasimov: About 15 hours.

Vladimir Putin: And that’s not the limit?

V. Gerasimov: Not the limit.

Vladimir Putin: We will need, Valery Vasilyevich, to decide what kind of weapon this new system is. It is necessary to determine the possible methods of use and start preparing the infrastructure for the placement of these weapons in our armed forces.

Back to the piece from the Barent’s Observer-

What goes up must come down

No officials in Russia have yet reported details about where the Burevestnik missile finally crashed after the alleged 15-hour flight on Tuesday.

All of Novaya Zemlya is a closed-off military area where civilians have no access. There are several ships positioned in the area, on both sides of the Matochkin Strait. If the missile crashed in the Barents Sea or Kara Sea, a recovery operation is likely already underway.

Rosatom’s special purpose ship Rossita is currently on stand-by close to Gremikha on the eastern coast of the Kola Peninsula. The Rossita has in previous years made port calls to Severnaya at Novaya Zemlya after the Burevestnik test seasons have ended.

The Barent’s Observer reports that in 2018 this missile had issues. Okay, but, this is 2025, nearly 2026. It seems to me that the missile of 2025 would have been improved since 2018.

theweekinnews

In what could be interpreted as a reply to US President Donald Trump’s tirade against him, Russian President Vladimir Putin on Sunday donned a military uniform to visit one of the command posts of the joint force. The reason for his visit was to discuss the testing of the Burevestnik nuclear-powered, unlimited-range cruise missile.

That’s one way to look at it.

Sputnik Global