How Russia's Skyfall Nuclear-Powered Cruise Missile Works

7 hours ago

The Burevestnik cruise missile likely uses a direct-cycle nuclear propulsion system, which heats atmospheric air directly in the reactor core, releasing radioactive exhaust.
This design raises safety concerns, as the missile emits radioactive isotopes (e.g., argon, krypton) during flight, posing environmental and tracking risks.
The missile is subsonic, with an estimated speed of Mach 0.75, making it potentially vulnerable to interception once detected.
Russia's development has been marked by accidents, including a 2019 explosion linked to a recovered prototype, highlighting handling challenges.
The primary advantage is near-unlimited range, allowing unpredictable flight paths and exploitation of defense gaps, but its military utility is debated due to radiation leakage and limited flexibility.
Experts suggest the project may serve as a technology demonstrator for future nuclear-powered systems or reflect a personal interest of Vladimir Putin.

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