MOSCOW, 20 Feb-RIA Novosti. Russia is developing a hypersonic guided missile codenamed "Gremlin", Izvestia reported.
According to the publication, development work started in November 2018. Tests of the rocket are scheduled for 2023, soon the creators will start testing the engine of the complex.
The technical characteristics of the missile were not disclosed, but it is known that it will be smaller than the adopted X-47M2 "Dagger". It is assumed that the "Gremlin" will be able to overcome up to one and a half thousand kilometers, and its speed will exceed the speed of sound by six times.
It is not yet known whether the missile will have a variant with a nuclear warhead.
According to preliminary data, the Gremlin is being developed for the fifth-generation Su-57 fighters, but experts do not rule out that the Tu-22M3M bombers and Tu-95 and Tu-160 missile carriers can be equipped with ammunition.
Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu earlier called hypersonic systems the basis of the Russian non-nuclear deterrence forces. Last year, two intercontinental ballistic missiles with Avangard hypersonic blocks were put on combat duty, before that, the Southern Military District received interceptors with Dagger missiles. The Defense Ministry also reported on successful launches of Zircon missiles, which will be equipped with warships and submarines.
