Several public sources in Russia have published information about the tender of the NPO Machine-Building Corporation in Reutov, Moscow Region, to prepare for the production of a top-secret combat vehicle codenamed Zakaza 4202.

According to published sources, a document of a subcontractor participating in the Zakaza 4202 assembly line bears the mark “in progress”.

Previously, Zakaza 4202 was known as a program to develop a hypersonic vehicle operating in orbit carried out by NPO at the request of the Russian Army. This is also a weapon that is assessed to be able to penetrate all modern missile defense systems in the world.

Simulation image of the new hypersonic aircraft. Photo: topwar.ru

This could be the next step after the successful test of a new hypersonic aircraft prototype conducted by the Russian Army on April 19. Immediately after the test, Russian defense officials affirmed that the new hypersonic aircraft will be equipped on Russia's current and future intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), including the Sarmat ICBM.

From publicly available information, Russia has conducted at least six Zakaza 4202 tests using the RS-18B ICBM (NATO codename: Stiletto) at the Baikonur Cosmodrome and the Dombarovsky missile base.

Immediately after the information was leaked, the Russian Defense Ministry refused to comment on this issue. Meanwhile, officials in the Russian rocket and space sector did not make any comments.

Russian military experts commented that Russia's successful development of the Zakaza 4202 with its ability to maneuver vertically and horizontally at supersonic speeds allows it to penetrate or neutralize any enemy missile defense system.

Hypersonic vehicles still require ICBMs to deploy into Earth orbit.

“The US global missile defense system will become meaningless,” a Russian military expert said.

In terms of operating principles, Russia's new hypersonic aircraft still needs a rocket to launch it into orbit like traditional warheads. After separating from the rocket, the aircraft will use a wing structure and an engine to fly in an extremely flexible trajectory, making it impossible for the enemy's missile defense system to detect and intercept. With nuclear warheads on board, the hypersonic aircraft will attack pre-programmed targets.

Along with Russia, the US is also developing hypersonic vehicles that operate in orbit, but they are still in the form of technology testing prototypes.

According to qdnd.vn