Avangard (hypersonic glide vehicle)

The Avangard (also known as Objekt 4202, Yu-71 and Yu-74) is a scramjet hypersonic glide vehicle developed by Russia, that can be carried as a MIRV payload by the UR-100UTTKh,[1][2] R-36M2 and RS-28 Sarmat heavy ICBMs. It can deliver both nuclear and conventional payloads.[3][4][5][6] The system entered service in March 2018, and was unveiled by Russian President Vladimir Putin as one of the six new Russian strategic weapons.[5]

Development

The Avangard (then called Yu-71 and Yu-74) was reportedly tested during a series of flight tests between February 2015 and June 2016 on board the UR-100UTTKh ICBMs launched from the Dombarovsky ICBM site during which the glider reached a speed of 11,200 kilometres per hour (7,000 mph; 3,100 m/s). Targets at the Kura Missile Test Range were successfully hit.[7][8]

Another flight test was carried out in October 2016, on board the R-36M2 heavy ICBM launched from the Dombarovsky ICBM site, hitting a target at the Kura Missile Test Range. This was reportedly the first fully successful test of the glide vehicle.[9][10]

On 1 March 2018, Russian President Vladimir Putin in his presidential address to the Federal Assembly in Moscow announced, that testing of the weapon is now complete and that the missile enters serial production.[11][12][13][14][5] This was also confirmed by the commander of the Russian Strategic Missile Forces, Colonel General Sergei Karakayev.[15][16]

Design

The Avangard is powered by a scramjet engine that accelerates it up to Mach 20. When approaching a target, the glider is capable of sharp high speed evasive maneuvers in flight making it “absolutely invulnerable for any missile defence system”.[17] According to Russian President Putin, Avangard strikes "like a meteorite, like a fireball”.[18]

Operators

 Russia

See also

References

  1. ↑ Majumdar, Dave. "We Now Know How Russia's New Avangard Hypersonic Boost-Glide Weapon Will Launch". The National Interest.
  2. ↑ "Russia to use SS-19 ICBMs as carriers for Avangard hypersonic glide vehicles — source".
  3. ↑ Trevithick, Joseph. "Here's The Six Super Weapons Putin Unveiled During Fiery Address". Retrieved 19 March 2018.
  4. ↑ "Russia's New Avangard Hypersonic Missile System To Enter Service By 2019". www.defenseworld.net. Retrieved 19 March 2018.
  5. 1 2 3 Sputnik. "Russia's Avangard Hypersonic Glider Warhead Enters Production – Source". sputniknews.com. Retrieved 19 March 2018.
  6. ↑ "Introducing 'Avangard' and 'Sarmat': Putin shows off new hypersonic, nuclear missiles". 1 March 2018. Retrieved 19 March 2018.
  7. ↑ "Secret Russian Hypersonic Nuke Glider Can Pierce Any Missile Defense". Sputnik (news agency). 28 July 2015. Retrieved 17 September 2018.
  8. ↑ "Russian Top Secret Hypersonic Glider Can Penetrate Any Missile Defense". Sputnik (news agency). 11 July 2016. Retrieved 17 September 2018.
  9. ↑ "Эксперт об "изделии 4202": теперь США будут меньше бряцать оружием". ria.ru. 28 October 2016. Retrieved 16 September 2018.
  10. ↑ "'Object 4202': New Russian Hypersonic Warhead to Be Coupled With Sarmat ICBM". Sputnik (news agency). 29 October 2016. Retrieved 17 September 2018.
  11. ↑ "Russia begins serial production of new cutting-edge glide vehicle".
  12. ↑ "Russia's Avangard strategic systems enter series production – source".
  13. ↑ "Russia's Defense Ministry signs production contract for Avangard hypersonic systems".
  14. ↑ "Russia's Avangard hypersonic missile system".
  15. ↑ "New missile Putin mentioned in annual address successfully tested — top brass".
  16. ↑ "ЦАМТО / Новости / Траектория полета ракеты "Авангард" проходит на высоте десятков километров". www.armstrade.org.
  17. ↑ "Putin boasts new strategic weapons will make US missile defense "useless"". Retrieved 19 March 2018.
  18. ↑ "Russia touts 'unstoppable' nuclear missile".
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.