RUSSIA has tested a terrifying new 9,000mph “star wars” ballistic missile capable of destroying US satellites in space. The rocket was launched from the Sary-Shagan test site in Kazakhstan and wiped out a dummy target, according to the Kremlin. Footage released by Putin’s Defence Ministry showed the weapon – “designed to protect against air and […]
RUSSIA has tested a terrifying new 9,000mph “star wars” ballistic missile capable of destroying US satellites in space.
The rocket was launched from the Sary-Shagan test site in Kazakhstan and wiped out a dummy target, according to the Kremlin.
Footage released by Putin’s Defence Ministry showed the weapon – “designed to protect against air and space attacks” – taking off in a ball of flames.
“The new missile … has reliably confirmed its characteristics in a series of tests,” claimed Andrey Dyomin, commander of the 1st air and missile defence army of Russian aerospace forces.
However, no details were released about the missile’s precise performance in the test, or the target, and the weapon remains shrouded in secrecy.
Commander of the United States Space Command John Raymond said in April that Russia’s extraterrestrial interceptor missiles pose a challenge to U.S. interests in near space.
Raymond claimed that this Russian system is even capable of destroying satellites in low Earth orbit.
“The threats to US space systems and [their] allies are real, serious and increasing,” he warned.
Russia is known to be developing a mobile long-range extraterrestrial interceptor missile named 14Ts033 Nudol.
The two-stage 14Ts033 may be used on the new A-235 missile defence system, which is being developed to protect Moscow’s airspace.
It can reach Mach 12, with a 620 mile range, say experts.
The missile is intended to destroy the warheads of intercontinental ballistic missiles and spacecraft in low Earth orbits.
Speaking about the Nudol system, Gen. Raymond said: “The United States is ready and committed to deterring aggression and defending the nation, our allies, and US interests from hostile acts in space.”
Just last week, a top RAF chief warned future world wars could be settled in space.
Air Chief Marshal Sir Mike Wigston spoke out as he said it would be “negligent” to ignore military developments in space.
The RAF chief warned at an online conference yesterday that while wars won’t be started in space, they could likely be “won or lost” up amongst the stars.
Speaking to a digital audience at the UK’s Defence Space Conference Sir Mike said: “We have to be ready to protect and if necessary defend our critical national interests in space .”
