Russia reveals new details of ‘Poseidon’ underwater nuclear drone

Russian TASS news agency has revealed some new details of ‘Poseidon’ underwater nuclear drone.

The ‘Poseidon’, also known under Ocean Multipurpose System Status-6 or “Kanyon” by the U.S. intelligence community, is a new Russian strategic drone propelled by a miniaturized nuclear reactor.

According to the news report, the maximum speed of the ‘Poseidon’ drone will be more than 107 kt (200 km/h), the maximum depth at which it can move is more than one kilometer. For comparison, the maximum speed of modern nuclear submarines is 32 kt, torpedoes – 48 kt.

The high speed of ‘Poseidon’ will be made possible is due to supercavitation, whereby a gas bubble, which envelops the torpedo at maximum speed. This minimizes water contact with the torpedo, significantly reducing drag.

Also, TASS claimed that the newest Russian underwater UAV will be impossible to attack due to the peculiarities of its maneuvering.

The ‘Poseidon’ is designed to create a tsunami wave up to 500 metres (1,600 ft) tall, which would contaminate a wide area on an enemy’s coast with radioactive isotopes, as well as being immune to anti-missile defence systems such as anti-ballistic missiles, laser weapons and railguns that might disable an ICBM or a SLBM.

Modern Russian nuclear drone was officially announced in March 2018 along with other upcoming weapon systems, meant to counter the development of anti-ballistic missile technologies by the US.

The drone is included in Russia’s state armament program for 2018-2027 and the Poseidon is expected to enter service before the program ends, the source added.