Mr Putin confirmed the development of the Poseidon strategic drone during his state-of-the-union address to both houses of the Russian parliament in March – and a defence industry source told state news agency Tass underwater tests had now started. He said: “In the sea area protected from a potential enemy’s reconnaissance means, the underwater trials of the nuclear propulsion unit of the Poseidon drone are underway.” He said the drone would be capable of carrying a nuclear warhead with a yield of up to 2 megatonnes to destroy enemy naval bases.
Tass reported the reactor was installed in the hull of the operating drone, but stressed the tests were being held as part of experimental design work “rather than full-fledged sea trials” at this stage.
The Russian Navy is using one of its nuclear-powered submarines as the drone’s carrier during the trials, the source said.
The report was more vague about the delivery date of the weapon, which may not be operational until 2027.
Speaking to Business Insister in March after Mr Putin’s initial confirmation, Rex Richardson, a physicist who researches nuclear weapons, said: “A well-placed nuclear weapon of yield in the range 20 MT to 50 MT near a sea coast could certainly couple enough energy to equal the 2011 tsunami, and perhaps much more.”
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The Tohaku earthquake and resulting tsunami killed more than 15,000 people in Japan and resultant in massive damage to the country’s infrastructure.
He added: “Taking advantage of the rising-sea-floor amplification effect, tsunami waves reaching 100 metres in height are possible.”
Mr Richardson said a near-shore blast such as this could also suck up tons of ocean sediment, irradiate it, and raining it upon nearby areas — creating devastating radioactive fallout.
He added: “Los Angeles or San Diego would be particularly vulnerable to fallout due to the prevailing onshore winds.”
Speaking in March, Mr Putin boasted the autonomous drone would move faster than a submarine or boat, “have hardly any vulnerabilities for the enemy to exploit,” and “carry massive nuclear ordnance.” reported Business Insider.
He added: “Unmanned underwater vehicles can carry either conventional or nuclear warheads, which enables them to engage various targets, including aircraft groups, coastal fortifications, and infrastructure.”
Poseidon drones together with their carriers – nuclear-powered submarines – make up Russia’s so-called oceanic multipurpose system, Tass reported.
The drone was named following a survey on the website of Russia’s Defence Ministry similar to the poll which saw British voters suggest a British submarine be named Boaty McBoatface – although in that case, the vessel was eventually named RSS Sir David Attenborough.
Speaking in Moscow today, Mr Putin also revealed test on a new hypersonic missile system called the Avangard had even a “complete success”.
He added: “From next year, 2019, Russia’s armed forces will get the new intercontinental strategic system Avangard.
“It’s a big moment in the life of the armed forces and in the life of the country.
“Russia has obtained a new type of strategic weapon.”