Rocket 9M730 Petrel. SSC-X-9 Skyfall. Specifications. Photo and video

The Petrel (9М730) is a Russian intercontinental cruise missile equipped with a nuclear power plant, having an unlimited range of flight, capable of evading means of intercepting the enemy.

The story of the Cruise missile Petrel (SSC-X-9 Skyfall)

The Russian cruise missile 9М730 "Petrel" began to be developed by Russian scientists in the 2001 year, after the United States of America decided to terminate the Treaty on the limitation of missile defense systems from the 1972 year. The development of the “Petrel” cruise missile (called “Skyfall” by the name of NATO) was carried out by the Novator experimental design bureau, but the existence of this missile became known extremely late - in the 2018 year, during a message to the Federal Assembly.

According to some data, the main difficulty in developing the 9М730 “Petrel” (SSC-X-9 Skyfall) rocket was to ensure its maneuverability - this problem was solved only in the 2016 year.

Features of the Petrel Rocket (SSC-X-9 Skyfall)

The key feature of the Russian 9M730 Burevestnik cruise missile (SSC-X-9 Skyfall) is the use of a nuclear power plant, which allows the missile to fly almost indefinitely and at unlimited distances, which makes this weapon unique.

Moreover, the Burevestnik nuclear-powered cruise missile is equipped with special systems that allow it to maneuver and bypass the enemy's anti-missile interceptors, which, in turn, makes it practically invulnerable.

Tests of the Petrel rocket (SSC-X-9 Skyfall)

The unsuccessful tests of the 9М730 “Petrel” missile (SSC-X-9 Skyfall) took place in the period from 2017 to 2018 year - according to American intelligence services, we are talking about four failed launches, in one of which the nuclear power plant failed, resulting in the rocket fell into the Barents Sea. The Russian side categorically refuted the fall of the Petrel nuclear-powered rocket in the Barents Sea.

Video rockets 9M730 "Petrel"

For the period to January 2019, 14 tests were conducted, the overwhelming number of which had no official information from the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation.

Petrel Rocket Video

29 January 2019 of the year became known about the successful testing of the 9М730 “Petrel” cruise missile (SSC-X-9 Skyfall), which is supposed to be put into service as early as 2020-2021. It was announced by the American media. However, in mid-February, a source in the missile defense industry emphasized that tests of the rocket with the Burevestnik nuclear power plant were actually carried out at the end of January 2019.

How does the Petrel (SSC-X-9 Skyfall) cruise missile work?

The principle of operation of the Russian cruise missile of unlimited flight range 9М730 "Petrel" is based on the use of a compact nuclear power plant (NPP), which allows you to support the flight of the rocket for a long duration. Given the rather large power of the power plant, the speed of the rocket is relatively low, due to the need to ensure flight safety.

Specifications of the Petrel missile (SSC-X-9 Skyfall)

Due to the secrecy of the cruise missile, any information about it remains unknown, but there is evidence that the launch of the missile is carried out by a mobile launcher.

• Flight range: unlimited;
• Flight speed: 900 km \ h;
• Launcher: mobile, ground type.