The Defense Intelligence Agency recently disclosed what it calls Russian President Vladimir Putin’s “big six” advanced nuclear weapons systems designed to defeat U.S. defenses.
They include the new Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missile, the Avangard hypersonic glide vehicle, the Kinzhal hypersonic missile, the Skyfall nuclear-powered cruise missile and the Poseidon nuclear-powered and -armed underwater vehicle.
A sixth system revealed by DIA is called the Peresvet, an anti-satellite laser first deployed with Russian troops in 2018.
DIA said the Skyfall cruise missile uses a nuclear-powered engine that gives it intercontinental range and an ability to fly for several days. The missile suffered a catastrophic failure in 2019, killing five scientists during a missile recovery operation.
The missile was successfully tested in 2023, and Mr. Putin hailed it as a final test.
The Sarmat, also known as the Satan 2, carries different types of nuclear warheads, including very large megaton warheads. The ICBM can hit any target in the world and was shown in a video simulation ranging over the South Pole in targeting the United States.
The Avangard is deployed with SS-19 ICBMs that DIA officials said is “designed to eliminate U.S. homeland ballistic missile defenses.”
The glide vehicle flies at around 62 miles in altitude, which DIA says is below the reach of ballistic missile defenses, before descending to targets at 20,500 mph — faster than most missile defense interceptors.
The Kinzhal is an air-launched hypersonic ballistic missile capable of making in-flight maneuvers while flying at speeds of 7,600 mph. A conventional version of Kinzhal, known by NATO as Killjoy, has been used in Ukraine and reportedly has been shot down by U.S.-made Patriot anti-missile systems.
The Poseidon drone submarine is a high-speed weapon that carries what DIA says is a megaton-class warhead to destroy enemy ports.
“Testing was conducted in early 2021,” the report said. “The Poseidon likely can travel at high speeds underwater due to its nuclear propulsion.”
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• Bill Gertz can be reached at bgertz@washingtontimes.com.
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