Russia has tested its nuclear-powered cruise missile, named Burevestnik (9M730) — meaning “Storm Petrel”, a seabird often seen as a harbinger of storms. The NATO designation for this missile is SSC-X-9 Skyfall.
According to Russian claims, the missile:
- Flew for 14,000 km (8,700 miles)
- Remained airborne for about 15 hours
- Operated on nuclear power, giving it virtually unlimited range
- Could potentially evade all existing missile defence systems
About Burevestnik Missile
| Feature | Details |
| Type | Nuclear-powered, nuclear-armed cruise missile |
| Range | Theoretically unlimited |
| Flight Altitude | Low-flying trajectory (below radar coverage) |
| Power Source | Miniature nuclear reactor instead of conventional fuel |
| Purpose | To develop a strategic, long-endurance missile capable of avoiding global missile defence networks |
| First Announced | March 2018 by President Vladimir Putin |
| Test Site | Novaya Zemlya and Pankovo, Arctic Russia |
| NATO Codename | SSC-X-9 Skyfall |
What Makes It Unique?
Dual Nuclear Capability:
- Can carry a nuclear warhead
- Powered by a nuclear reactor
Unlimited Range:
- Operates using nuclear propulsion, theoretically allowing indefinite flight
Unpredictable Trajectory:
- Can fly at low altitudes and variable paths, evading radar and missile defences
Extended Flight Duration:
- Reportedly remained airborne for 15 hours and covered 14,000 km
How Does Nuclear Propulsion Work?
- Conventional cruise missiles burn chemical fuel.
- Burevestnik replaces the combustion engine with a miniaturised nuclear reactor:
- Incoming air is heated by the reactor to generate thrust (similar to a ramjet).
- As long as the reactor functions, the missile can stay in flight — limited only by material durability and guidance constraints.
- The concept dates back to the U.S. Project Pluto (1960s), which developed a nuclear-powered ramjet missile (SLAM) but was abandoned due to safety and feasibility risks.
Safety & Technical Concerns
| Aspect | Details |
| Failed Tests (2017–2021) | ~13 test attempts tracked by NATO & U.S. intelligence; most failed within minutes. |
| 2019 Nyonoksa Incident | Explosion during testing caused radiation release; Norway detected iodine-131 isotopes, confirming a nuclear reactor leak. |
| Unverified Claims | No independent data confirms successful long-duration or global-range flights. |
| Risk Factor | Potential radioactive contamination and crash recovery hazards in the Arctic region. |
Strategic Implications
Nuclear Arms Race Revival
- The testing of Burevestnik comes as the New START Treaty nears expiry in 2026, raising concerns of a renewed nuclear arms race.
- The missile’s design circumvents existing arms control agreements, as it doesn’t fit within traditional definitions of “strategic nuclear delivery systems”.
New START Treaty
| Feature | Details |
| Full Form | Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START) |
| Signed | 2010 (entered into force on 5 February 2011) |
| Parties | United States & Russia |
| Key Provisions | Limits each side to 1,550 strategic nuclear warheads and 700 deployed launchers |
| Original START I | Signed in 1991; came into force in 1994 |
| Expiry & Extension | Extended in 2021 for five years (till 2026) |
| Russian Suspension | Announced on 21 February 2023, halting participation |
| Treaty Coverage | Covers ICBMs, submarine-launched missiles, and heavy bombers |
| Not Covered | Nuclear-powered cruise missiles like Burevestnik (still in development phase) |
By developing Burevestnik, Russia is bypassing, not violating, the treaty — creating new categories of nuclear-capable systems beyond treaty control.
Strategic & Global Impact
Enhanced Deterrence Posture:
- Russia seeks to demonstrate technological superiority and strengthen its nuclear deterrence capability.
Challenge to Missile Defence:
- Burevestnik’s low flight altitude and unpredictable path make it almost impossible to intercept using U.S. and NATO missile defence systems.
Escalation Risk:
- Could intensify the U.S.–Russia strategic rivalry, especially as global arms control frameworks weaken.
Environmental Concerns:
- Nuclear-powered missiles pose radiation and contamination risks if crashes occur during testing or deployment.
Scientific & Historical Background
| Concept/Project | Description |
| Nuclear Ramjet Propulsion | Air-breathing jet engine where air is heated by a nuclear reactor instead of fuel combustion. |
| U.S. Project Pluto (1957–1964) | Developed the “SLAM” (Supersonic Low-Altitude Missile) with nuclear propulsion; cancelled due to safety and diplomatic risks. |
| Comparison | Burevestnik is a modern adaptation using advanced materials, mini-reactor technology, and AI-guided flight. |
Key Facts
| Term / Fact | Details |
| Burevestnik (Russian) | “Storm Petrel” – a bird that appears before storms. |
| NATO Code Name | SSC-X-9 Skyfall |
| Propulsion Type | Nuclear-powered engine (mini-reactor-based thrust) |
| Flight Profile | Low-altitude cruise missile |
| Range (Claimed) | Unlimited |
| Test Site | Novaya Zemlya and Pankovo ranges, Arctic Russia |
| Key Historical Parallel | U.S. Project Pluto (Nuclear SLAM Missile, 1960s) |
| Treaty Link | Outside scope of New START (Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty) |