Video footage from Russia’s Defense Ministry shows the Avangard hypersonic strategic missile blasting off Wednesday in what President Vladimir Putin said was a successful test. After being launched by a rocket, a vehicle carrying a potentially nuclear payload detaches and glides back to earth at hypersonic speeds. Russia has pointed to U.S. missile defenses to justify the development of hypersonic boost-glide missiles that can carry nuclear weapons. Traditional intercontinental ballistic missiles travel in a predetermined arc and do not maneuver, making them easier to shoot down with missile defense interceptors. American officials have long pointed out that the United States doesn’t have anywhere near the capacity to stop an onslaught of Russia’s vast supply of nuclear missiles.

Source: Washington Post December 26, 2018 19:18 UTC