Russia is developing an advanced hypersonic ballistic missile, which, in terms of key parameters, should surpass the current Oreshnik system, according to the English publication Daily Star.
According to journalists, the project envisages an increase in payload mass, a transition to advanced fuel compositions, and the introduction of new control and guidance principles. Special attention is paid to increasing power and the ability to separate into 8 warheads without losing other characteristics.
One of the priority tasks is to achieve ultimate accuracy with a deviation tending to zero.
For comparison: the existing Oreshnik complex is a mobile ground-based medium-range missile system with a multiple independently targetable reentry vehicle. The missile reaches speeds of up to Mach 10 (approximately 12,400 km/h), the warhead weighs up to 1.5 tons, and the range is up to 5,500 km. When entering the dense layers of the atmosphere and impacting, the striking elements heat up to 4000 °C. Depending on the launch point, the flight time to distant targets can be about eight minutes.
Official comments from the Russian Ministry of Defense regarding the new development are currently unavailable.
Earlier, analyst Lebedev revealed the secret of the launches from Kapustin Yar on February 17. Tests of the S-500 Prometheus took place at the training ground in the Astrakhan region.
