Russia's new hypersonic weapon makes the US admit "helpless"
US intelligence sources confirm that the country is currently unable to stop a new hypersonic weapon, called Avangard, from Russia.
CNBC, citing unnamed sources, said the Avangard hypersonic glide vehicle is designed to be mounted on top of an intercontinental ballistic missile, such as the SS-19. When launched, it will use aerodynamic forces to move through the atmosphere.
A video simulation of Avangard was shown during Russian President Putin's presentation of new Russian weapons in March 2018. Source: Sputniks |
According to sources, Avangard can carry nuclear warheads. It is not yet clear whether the manufacturer has equipped this glider with explosives, but its accuracy and speed are believed to be enough to destroy any target.
The weapon is rumored to be capable of traveling at least five times the speed of sound, or nearly 5,800 km/h.
"This type of glide vehicle is attacking the holes in our missile defense system. There has never been a time like this that requires us to adjust our existing missile defense capabilities. Unfortunately, we have allowed Russia to get this far," commented Thomas Karako, Director of the Missile Defense Project at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (USA).
Russia has been developing the Avangard for three decades, the sources added. The new weapon is expected to be ready for combat by 2020.
Russia successfully tested the Avangard twice in 2016. However, a third test of the system in October 2017 failed, as the weapon crashed just seconds before hitting its target.
The revelations come just over two months after President Vladimir Putin hailed Russia's growing hypersonic arsenal as "invincible".
