How dangerous is the 9M730 Burevestnik missile?

"Burevestnik nuclear cruise missile. (Source: Kyiv Post) (United24media)

The nuclear reactor makes “9M730 Buresvetsnik” a hard target for the defender. If there is damage in the reactor. It can deliver radioactive material around the dorp zone. The nuclear warhead will probably not detonate. But there is a possibility that Russians deliver cobalt into that reactor. That means the system can poison the entire Western hemisphere. If it delivers radioactive cobalt through the reactor. The nuclear reactor’s neutron bombardment transforms the cobalt-59 into cobalt-60. As it makes it into the cobalt bombs. Nobody confesses to keeping cobalt bombs in their hands. That bomb can act as a doomsday weapon; the mission is to act as a “final weapon”. The symbol of madness that could destroy the entire human race. 

Theoretically, the Russian “9M730 Burevestnik” (NATO: SSC-X-9 “Skyfall”) is not a more difficult target for defense than any other subsonic cruise missile. The only problem is to find that missile, and then the fighter can shoot it down. There is one thing. that turns the “9M730 Burevestnik”. Or “Skyfall” missile. Into a very complicated system. And that problem is that the missile itself is nuclear-powered. That means. If the fighter shoots the nuclear-powered missile down. The damaged reactor can deliver radioactive material into a quite large area. Nuclear power gives it a virtually unlimited range. 

And that means that “Skyfall” can poison a large area if its reactor faces damage when the missile or cannon rounds hit that missile. This is one thing that makes nuclear power suitable for military systems. The 9M730 Burevestnik itself carries a nuclear warhead. If that warhead detonates over the target, this causes a situation where the reactor will be vaporized and deliver radioactive fallout in large areas. There is also a possibility that this missile has cobalt in its warhead. Or it can deliver cobalt through the reactor. That causes radioactive fallout in the line. that follows this missile. 

It’s possible that there will be more variants of the “Skyfall” missile. 

The “Skyfall” missile can fly for months in the atmosphere. Theoretically, that flight time is unlimited.  And that raises new questions about the future of those systems. The same technology that the Russians developed for the Skyfall missile can be used in larger systems. Those systems can patrol in the air and carry others. Maybe hypersonic missiles. That thing can be the super-powerful version of the Chinese drone carrier. In those cases, the nuclear-powered system can carry things. 

Like one or two “Brahmos” or “Kinzhal” hypersonic missiles under their body or wings. Those systems can launch the hypersonic missiles to their targets from any altitude. There is a possibility that the 9M730 Burevestnik is only a testbed, whose purpose is to test how that technology works, and perhaps those experiences can be applied to more advanced and frightening systems. There is also a possibility that the 9M730 Burevestnik can be launched into the air, allowing it to patrol like a super drone. If that system must not attack. It will be called to the base. The advanced model can have the ability. To accelerate and slow its speed between hyper- and supersonic areas. 

https://defensemirror.com/news/35154

https://www.euronews.com/2025/11/16/nato-alarmed-as-putins-new-petrel-missile-apparently-ready-for-use

https://united24media.com/latest-news/russia-tested-nuclear-powered-burevestnik-skyfall-missile-from-arctic-site-norway-official-confirms-12858

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/9M730_Burevestnik

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cobalt_bomb

The “golden dome” satellites face a big threat.

Artist's vision of Dream Chaser

One of the reasons why the Reagan-era Space Defense Initiative (SDI) terminated was simply this. Orbital space weapons were easy targets for the high-flying ASAT systems. Those systems could be large rockets. Like Soyuz-FG, which shoots a large number of small kinetic energy projectiles. Against those space weapons. The system must shoot only metal balls against those killer satellites. And that destroys them immediately. 

Technology advanced from the Reagan era. And there are new reusable rockets that can send things like miniature killer satellites to follow things. Like suspected orbital bombardment satellites. The fractional orbital bombardment systems (FOBS) are the most terrifying weapons on this planet. Those killer satellites send nuclear weapons against their targets from an orbital trajectory. The other systems are the EMP weapons that can be hidden in satellites. When those satellites are in the right position, the nuclear weapon inside them will be detonated. Those kinds of systems can destroy. The main components of the defense. Things like miniature stealth shuttles, miniature satellites. The miniature satellites can be capable. To form a bigger structure. The system can connect those satellites. Into a series, and if there is a railgun installed in the system, those miniature satellites can form a powerful entirety. 

Soyuz-FG

Reusable rockets can be used to return those systems back on Earth if they need some service. Those systems can also be used to kill satellites that are suspected to carry FOBS systems. The FOBS system can be a miniature shuttle that dives against its target in hypersonic speed. The stealth versions of the Dream Chaser, or X-37B shuttle. It can be the tool that can destroy the killer satellites. Or miniature satellites can follow those suspected FOBS satellites. The new satellites could also deliver things. Like drones over the target areas. Those drones can be used the AI to search and terminate their targets. Autonomous killer drones that drop from satellites can also be suitable for assassination missions. 

In the Soviet era. There was a plan. To protect missile silos by using metal rods. Those metal rods could be effective against incoming missiles. Or, that’s what the Soviets thought. They created the metal-rod-based active protection system (APS). That was quite similar to the  lighter APS systems, which should protect the tanks against incoming missiles and ammunition. The metal-rod-based defense was innovative. And there are plans. To use similar systems. Against drones. But as we know, the problem with those systems is the limited number of metal rods. Those metal rods could also be tools for attacking weapons. The USA planned to make the “rods of god” the orbital-based kinetic bombardment system. 

That system was planned to use metal rods. Those were shot against their targets from orbital satellites. The railguns and the gas-operating launching system can accelerate those metal rods to very high speeds. Those rods would melt in the atmosphere. And there were melted metal droplets that would drop to the ground. The system would use the chamber, where oxygen and hydrogen were blown to send the metal rod through the magnetic accelerator. The system can use a nuclear reactor or solar panels. To give energy to that railgun. In some visions, the rocket can launch a cannon at orbiter. That shoots 155mm concrete-filled ammunition to ground. Those kinds of artificial meteorites can be devastating if they hit something. 

There were also. Some plans to use the metal rods as an offensive weapon. The nuclear warheads could be shot at their targets with metal rods. Those metal rods that fly ahead of the nuclear warheads can destroy incoming anti-ballistic missiles (ABM). And in some other plans, the orbital killer satellites would be good targets for metal balls and metal rods that shot against them using ICBM missiles. Those missiles will transport small metal balls or metal rods to the orbiter. And those things can destroy the orbital battle stations. Orbital battle satellites are a large system. They are vulnerable to the other killer satellites. The miniature satellites can carry small metal bullets. Those systems can be quite small. And they can orbit the Earth in the opposite direction to the targeted satellites. When a miniature satellite recognizes its target, it can shoot metal rods or metal balls at it. 

https://www.rudebaguette.com/en/2025/10/they-changed-the-mission-midway-nasas-dream-chaser-spaceplane-breaks-free-from-the-iss-plan-and-its-aiming-for-defense-and-private-space/

https://www.sierraspace.com/blog/dream-chaser-vs-space-shuttle/

https://www.twz.com/air/soviets-tested-icbm-silo-defense-system-that-showered-incoming-warheads-with-clouds-of-metal-darts

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fractional_Orbital_Bombardment_System

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_Dome_(missile_defense_system)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kinetic_bombardment

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soyuz-FG

Drones are new and problematic tools.

Shahed-136

The major problem with European drone defense is that those systems are new. The first major experiences with drones as intelligence, reconnaissance, and strike missions are from the Ukraine war. The thing that makes drones so dangerous is their small size. In the most feared scenarios, agents and saboteurs bring drones near their targets just before an attack. 

Those operators can hide drones in the terrain near the target. And then the drone operators can operate those drones even from a Moscow basement. The drone can be operated through satellites, or the operators can use hired relay stations. Or those relay stations that transmit data from the internet to drones can be on the roof of the Russian embassy. 

It can be any flat or car, and the operator can operate those drones. Through those stations. A single kamikaze drone. That can be equipped. With the anti-tank hollow grenade. Or, A claymore mine can cause damage. To the most modern aircraft. And the major problem with drone defense is that drones can be launched from any place. Some of them are very small. And if they are equipped with thermobaric explosives, those drones can cause significant damage to things like electric stations and fuel tanks. 

Drones don’t need any special launching systems. The crew that operates drones on the field. Can put them on the ship’s deck, and then remote operators can start an attack. They can also send those drones into their hands, making them hard to find. There is a possibility. 

That also bigger drones like Shahed or Geran 3 can be equipped with the feet. That keeps them up. Then the rocket assistant pushes them into the air. The idea is taken from the Russian “Oscar class” submarine. The cruise missiles are on both sides of those boats. And large-sized drones. It can be installed on the trucks and lorries in the same way. 

There is also a possibility that those drone-launchers are installed in the truck or some other submarine drone. When those drones take orders to start their operation, the system must open the roof. And then those drones will be released. This thing makes those drones very dangerous. There can be less than a minute's warning time before they attack their targets. Drones are new systems. There are many targets that are not equipped against them. That means drones are effective tools for assassination missions. And they are very easy to get. 

The U.S. general said that the Western military requires the Shahed-type drone. Those small, cheap, and in some cases. Effective drones can give new abilities to the military. The AI and optical target recognition and attack sensors, along with jet engines, could make those drones very lethal. The drone. That can be dropped from an aircraft, launched from any point on the ground, or from a ship deck can be the tool. That can cause very big problems. The drone can have optical or radar-based target recognition. The drone can also act as an anti-radiation role, where. The drone will search for radars or radio transmitters. And then attack those targets. 

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c4gz2ppye5zo

https://www.twz.com/air/army-absolutely-needs-shahed-like-drones-pacaf-general

The user determines the purpose of lasers and rockets.

"Illustration of China's groundbreaking portable laser weapon operating in extreme temperatures. Image generated by AI." (Sustainability Times, “China Stuns the World Again”: New 2.47kW Portable Laser Works in Arctic Cold and Blistering Saharan Heat)

New Chinese laser weapons can operate from arctic cold to Sahara heat. The portable 2,47 kW laser system can be used against vehicles, robots, and other military personnel. The same system can also be used to cut electric wires and cut steelworks. And that is the true advance in laser weapon development. The laser weapon can use electric systems to create light. But it is also possible to use things like acetylene lamps for that purpose. The laser weapon can also use the laser-LEDs. That pumps energy to laser rays that travel between them. 

That kind of system allows developers to make new types of weapons. Or weaponized applications. The laser weapon can operate also at orbital, where even small laser weapons can cause damage to satellites and space suits. 

Illustration of the HQ-29 missile defense system in action. Image generated by AI. (Sustainability Times, “China Prepares for War in Space”: HQ-29 Missile System Can Destroy Satellites and Ballistic Threats Mid-Air)

Another interesting thing is that the Chinese created a new HQ-29 missile system that can be used in anti-ballistic missile, ABM, and anti-satellite, ASAT roles. Those missiles tell that China is prepared for space warfare. But the fact is that all rockets that can carry satellites or any payload to orbiter can operate as space weapons. The critical thing is the miniature satellites that can shoot even hundreds in one launch.

Heavy booster rockets can transport those miniature satellites to orbit. And when command centers give orders, those satellites will impact other satellites. Miniature satellites that use advanced AI can also dive against incoming ASAT weapons. Those satellites can operate in other missions, and when time is up they can begin their attack procedures. 

"Illustration of a solar-powered drone with a wingspan larger than a Boeing 747 designed for month-long flights. Image generated by AI." (Sustainability Times, “We Built This to Fly Forever”: Engineers Unveil Solar Drone With 224-Foot Wingspan Capable of Month-Long Flights)

The miniature satellite can recognize the target using similar technology that Javelin missiles use. The satellite recognizes its target by using the image. And if those systems are shot to high-orbiter using the heavy booster, they can attack against their targets from the higher altitudes. There is an attack variant where the small satellite pulls the large-size trawl that it uses to put satellites following it. And then that satellite just dives into the atmosphere, pulling the target satellite behind it. 

Things like solar-powered aircraft that can rise about 30 km high can transport small airborne launching vehicles to the edge of space. Then those small satellite carriers like Pegasus can transport satellites to the low earth orbiter. The Pegasus-type launching vehicles can also transport ASAT and ABM weapons. After launch the unmanned launching aircraft can return home. The new solar-powered aircraft whose wingspan is the same as Helios can make this thing. The problem with Helios was that its wings were not stiff enough. So that caused a crash. The wingspan of that new system is the same as the C-5 Galaxy. And it should rise at least 29 km altitude. 

https://www.sustainability-times.com/impact/china-prepares-for-war-in-space-hq-29-missile-system-can-destroy-satellites-and-ballistic-threats-mid-air/

https://www.sustainability-times.com/impact/china-stuns-the-world-again-new-2-47kw-portable-laser-works-in-arctic-cold-and-blistering-saharan-heat/

https://www.sustainability-times.com/energy/we-built-this-to-fly-forever-engineers-unveil-solar-drone-with-224-foot-wingspan-capable-of-month-long-flights/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AeroVironment_Helios_Prototype

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northrop_Grumman_Pegasus

Why researchers are so interested in laser weapons?

 Why researchers are so interested in laser weapons?  

The arm race is a race between an improved attacker and an improved defender. Things like Javelin missiles have two-stage tandem warheads that send hypersonic metal beams against the target. The improved weapons require improved counteractions. One of those counteractors is a laser weapon, which can destroy incoming missiles and ammunition over long distances. 

Laser weapons are the next-generation tools against grenades, drones, and low-flying aircraft. Laser weapons can also cut holes in the ship's hulls and the thing that makes laser weapons so interesting is simple. It gives also small-size crafts the ability to make fatal damage to large ships. 

If a laser cuts a slit in the ship's bow that kind of damage will be fatal if the ship must run at high speed. The Ukraine war has shown how difficult is to protect targets against drones. Even simple, straight-flying drones are difficult to defend. The drone itself is an easy target but when there are coming tens or hundreds of them. 

At the same time, the air defense cannot let any of them go through which means it requires lots of ammunition. And one purpose of those drones is to force the enemy to use their AA ammunition against them. The AI-based drones can take evasive actions and they are harder targets than those simple and cheap drones. 

The Ukrainian surface kamikaze drones are also effective tools. They can destroy or damage large ships. The problem is that things like Russia and terrorists notice that thing, and they wish to make their own versions of that tool. Maybe in the future, those drones also can operate underwater. That gives them the ability to attack the surface and underwater at the same time. 

The fact is that. Those drones can equipped with GPS-guided antitank missiles that can also be deadly against targets in the harbor area. And those kamikaze drones can attack against equipment loaded on the quay and then try to destroy ships. And that kind of target requires counter-weapons that can react very fast. And laser is suitable for that role. 

The only thing that limits the number of shots is the energy supply. Laser weapons are the same tools that are used in metal factories for cutting metal plates. And that means the laser systems can just cut off the wings of flying drones.  The aircraft, equipped with a laser weapon can use that weapon against incoming missiles. 

Protective laser weapons installed in high-flying platforms like stratospheric aircraft and airships can protect them against incoming missiles. The same lasers can also be used against enemy aircraft. 

Lasers are also double-used tools. The same lasers, used as weapons against aircraft and ships can be used as communication tools. The thing that changes laser from a communication tool to a weapon is the power, that the laser system uses. Lasers are tools that can protect satellites against ASAT weapons. And when people talk about laser satellites or "killer satellites", they mean satellites made to destroy other satellites. 

Lasers can offer communication and weapon tools against traditional missiles. But the arms race is a race between ultimate attackers and ultimate defenders. 

But the problem is that missiles can also equipped with microwave warheads. In those systems, the missile carries a magnetron that sends microwaves ahead of it. That kind of electromagnetic warhead can use a windmill generator as a power supply. And then in the final moment, explosives press the battery to make high-power radiation impulse. The purpose of the electromagnetic warheads is to shut down the target's computers and destroy its electric systems. 

https://www.nextbigfuture.com/2023/09/northrop-grummans-compact-10-kw-anti-drone-laser-and-humvee-mounted-laser-against-mortars-rockets-and-more.html