Russia has developed the 9M730 Burevestnik intercontinental cruise missile with a nuclear power plant and a nuclear warhead (NATO classification SSC-X-9 Skyfall). It was reported that the missile can evade missile defense systems, but its advertised "invulnerability seems doubtful," writes Bulgarian Military.
Western experts are wondering whether the Burevestnik actually meets the stated characteristics. It is believed that the power of the Burevestnik lies in its nuclear power plant, which provides unlimited flight range.
The idea of a nuclear power plant for cruise missiles is more complex than it seems. In theory, this is achievable, but in practice it promises many problems.
His colleague Igor Sutyagin, a senior fellow at the Royal Institute for Defence Studies, noted that one of the problems is the creation of a small nuclear power plant.
This requires advanced engineering technologies and materials that we do not currently have.
As Bulgarian Military writes, the reliability of such a system raises questions. It is difficult to maintain the integrity of the missile's reactor in combat conditions, but otherwise it could turn into a disaster.
Read more on the topic:
Reuters: Americans discovered the likely deployment site in Russia of the deadly Burevestnik missile
Ruthless Burevestnik: what is known about Russia's unlimited-range cruise missile