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Russia to test new generation of intercontinental missile that can 'beat US defence systems' | Russia to test new generation of intercontinental missile that can 'beat US defence systems' |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Russia is preparing to test-launch its new generation of nuclear-armed intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), which it has claimed will be able to penetrate the US’ defensive shield. | Russia is preparing to test-launch its new generation of nuclear-armed intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), which it has claimed will be able to penetrate the US’ defensive shield. |
Delayed several times, the tests of the RS-28’s launch and first few seconds of flight are to be carried out at the Plesetsk Cosmodrome, in Russia’s north-west, before the end of the year. | Delayed several times, the tests of the RS-28’s launch and first few seconds of flight are to be carried out at the Plesetsk Cosmodrome, in Russia’s north-west, before the end of the year. |
The trials had been postponed because launch silos and the projectiles themselves were not ready, according to the state-controlled Sputnik website, which cited the Kommersant newspaper. | The trials had been postponed because launch silos and the projectiles themselves were not ready, according to the state-controlled Sputnik website, which cited the Kommersant newspaper. |
The RS-28 Sarmat, a 100-plus-ton ICBM that government-controlled media has claimed could destroy an area the size of Texas, is designed to evade missile defences with multiple hypersonic warheads, known as MIRVs. | |
Talking up its capabilities, state-linked Russian sites have claimed an 11,000km range, a payload of up to 15 warheads and the ability to “speed past every missile defence system in existence”. | Talking up its capabilities, state-linked Russian sites have claimed an 11,000km range, a payload of up to 15 warheads and the ability to “speed past every missile defence system in existence”. |
RIA Novosti said individual warheads could have yields up to 750kt and that RS-28 launch silos would be built to withstand seven nuclear strikes. | RIA Novosti said individual warheads could have yields up to 750kt and that RS-28 launch silos would be built to withstand seven nuclear strikes. |
Outside sources cast doubt on some of these specifications. RIA said the new missile will have a “throw weight” – the mass of all components minus fuel and the launch rocket – of five tons. | Outside sources cast doubt on some of these specifications. RIA said the new missile will have a “throw weight” – the mass of all components minus fuel and the launch rocket – of five tons. |
But Michael Kofman, a research scientist from the Centre for Naval Analyses, told The National Interest earlier this year: “If RIA is right, and it probably is not right, how do you fit a payload of 10 warheads and tons of decoys into five tons? | But Michael Kofman, a research scientist from the Centre for Naval Analyses, told The National Interest earlier this year: “If RIA is right, and it probably is not right, how do you fit a payload of 10 warheads and tons of decoys into five tons? |
“There are large questions outstanding about conflicting claims about throw-weight, warheads and penetration aids.” | “There are large questions outstanding about conflicting claims about throw-weight, warheads and penetration aids.” |
Russia expects the RS-28 to enter service by the beginning of the next decade as part of its ongoing nuclear modernisation. | Russia expects the RS-28 to enter service by the beginning of the next decade as part of its ongoing nuclear modernisation. |
Reports of the planned tests emerged after US President Donald Trump called for “total rehabilitation” of America’s nuclear forces. | Reports of the planned tests emerged after US President Donald Trump called for “total rehabilitation” of America’s nuclear forces. |
He had denied reports he was seeking a 10-fold increase in the US’ arsenal, saying instead he wanted “modernisation”. | He had denied reports he was seeking a 10-fold increase in the US’ arsenal, saying instead he wanted “modernisation”. |
In 2010 the US and Russia signed the New START treaty, which mandated a significant reduction in deployed strategic nuclear weapons. | In 2010 the US and Russia signed the New START treaty, which mandated a significant reduction in deployed strategic nuclear weapons. |
The US military said it carried out a successful test of its ground-based missile interception system, called THAAD, earlier this year amid growing tension with North Korea. It also test-launched an unarmed Cold War-era Minuteman III ICBM from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. | The US military said it carried out a successful test of its ground-based missile interception system, called THAAD, earlier this year amid growing tension with North Korea. It also test-launched an unarmed Cold War-era Minuteman III ICBM from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. |
Pyongyang has claimed it now possesses ballistic missiles capable of targeting the US mainland. | Pyongyang has claimed it now possesses ballistic missiles capable of targeting the US mainland. |
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