Latest news with #Yars
Metro
24-05-2025
- Politics
- Metro
Here's how the US's new Golden Dome will work - and tackle its greatest threats
Earlier this week, Donald Trump unveiled his new line of defence for the US – a $175 billion 'Golden Dome'. Despite looking like something out of a Simpsons episode, Trump said the Golden Dome will have ground and space-based capabilities that are able to detect and stop missiles at all four major stages of a potential attack. While the dome's unveiling isn't new – it was one of the 200 executive orders he signed in January after returning to office for his second term – this week marked the first time we learned the details about it. The technology will allow the US to detect and destroy missiles before a launch, intercept them in their earliest stage of flight, stop them midcourse in the air, or halt them in the final minutes as they descend toward a target. Currently, China and Russia are two countries which have put offensive weapons, such as satellites with the ability to disable critical US satellites, into space. In 2021, China launched a nuclear-capable hypersonic missile which circled the globe before cruising onto its target. Ballistic missiles fly into outer space before returning on steep trajectories at higher speeds, but hypersonic weapons are faster and easier to direct. The race to build hypersonic missiles accelerated in the last decade, which seems to be a major factor in Trump's announcement. Russia is also known to flex its missile capabilities. Yars intercontinental ballistic missiles are often on display during military parades in the country, and have an operational range of around 7,500 miles. North Korea and Iran have also shown off their country's missiles, which prompted the US to launch their nuclear-capable Minuteman III hypersonic missile in a show of force. If tensions were to boil over, missiles in Russia, China and potentially Iran could reach the mainland US quickly – and Trump is worried. Russia has roughly 350 intercontinental ballistic missiles. China has 400, and North Korea has ten or fewer. Submarine-launched ballistic missiles aren't as common, but Russia has 182, and China has 72. In February, Trump carried out a nuclear-capable missile test launch. At the time, The United States Space Force said it was 'part of the nation's ongoing commitment to maintaining a credible deterrent and is not a response to current world events'. The project is somewhat inspired by Israel's 'Iron Dome', which helps shoot down missiles before they reach their target. But Trump's will be much larger – and likely include many more surveillance satellites. There will also be a fleet of satellites that will shoot down offensive missiles soon after lift-off. If the Golden Dome is to work in the same way that the Iron Dome does, it would likely be made of It is made up of dozens of batteries, carrying multiple movable missile launchers. @metrouk Donald Trump has unveiled plans for his 'Golden Dome', a missile defence shield worth £130 billion – aimed at neutralizing attacks from Russia and China. In a theatrical press conference at the White House, the US president made big promises about 'protecting the homeland'. Behind him was a cardboard backdrop of the system that resembled a science project at school. #fyp #donaldtrump #worldnews #usnews #news ♬ original sound – Metro – Metro The system would identify incoming missiles within a certain radius, before putting a path to the rocket into its command-and-control centre. Once they receive this information, the control centre calculates the location of the rocket's impact and whether it is going to strike areas inhabited by people. Despite Trump announcing the concept, the Pentagon is still developing the requirements that Golden Dome will need to meet, which is not the way new systems are normally developed. More Trending The Pentagon and US Northern Command are still drafting what is known as an initial capabilities document, one US official has said. That is how Northern Command, which is responsible for homeland defence, identifies what it will need the system to do. The US already has many missile defence capabilities, such as the Patriot missile batteries that the US has provided to Ukraine to defend against incoming missiles, as well as an array of satellites in orbit to detect missile launches. Some of those existing systems will be incorporated into Golden Dome. Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: Russian jet capable of carrying guided bombs performing 'dangerous maneuvers' near Nato territory MORE: Donald Trump demands iPhones be made in the US – but is it even possible? MORE: British students will no longer be able to go to Harvard after Trump changes the rules
Miami Herald
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Miami Herald
Minuteman III vs Yars: US ICBM Passes Test Days After Russian Launch Flops
The United States has conducted another successful test of an unarmed but nuclear-capable intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), while Russia reportedly canceled its own test. The U.S. Air Force Global Strike Command said Wednesday's test launch demonstrated the nation's nuclear deterrent is "safe, secure, reliable, and effective" in deterring 21st century threats. Newsweek has reached out to the Russian Defense Ministry for comment by email. Both Washington and Moscow have maintained a complete "nuclear triad" since the Cold War-consisting of ICBMs, ballistic missile-armed submarines, as well as bomber and fighter aircraft-to deter adversaries and be prepared to respond should deterrence fail. The Pentagon defines an ICBM as a long-range missile with an estimated range of more than 3,400 miles, capable of launching a global nuclear strike from one region to another. This type of missile can carry more than one warhead, also known as the reentry vehicle. Prior to the most recent U.S. Minuteman III ICBM test launch, which involved a flight from California to the Central Pacific Ocean, Ukrainian intelligence claimed earlier this week that Russia aborted a "combat training" launch of its Yars ICBM after something "went wrong." The U.S. operates only one type of ICBM: the Minuteman III, which has a stated range of over 6,000 miles. A total of 400 missiles are deployed in silos across Colorado, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, and Wyoming, and are assigned to three Air Force missile units. While the Minuteman III missile is capable of carrying up to three nuclear warheads, it is currently equipped with only one. The U.S. ICBM fleet occasionally conducts test launches involving multiple unarmed reentry vehicles, the Federation of American Scientists said. Last year, the U.S. Air Force conducted three successful flight tests of the Minuteman III missile. Of the four tests carried out in 2023, one unarmed missile was forced to terminate its flight over the Pacific Ocean because of an anomaly, a table published by Newsweek shows. According to a report prepared by the Federation of American Scientists, the Yars is one of several Russian ICBMs currently in service. The land-based nuclear missile, which has an estimated range of over 6,500 miles, can be launched from either silos or mobile platforms. The American think tank also estimated that, as of March, Russia possessed a total of 206 Yars missiles. Each missile can carry up to four warheads, available in two variants: "light warheads" and more powerful, medium-yield warheads designed to strike hardened targets. Like its U.S. counterpart, the Russian military often test-fires its missiles, with the most recent publicized Yars launch taking place last October during a strategic deterrence forces drill. Since 2022, the Yars missile fleet has been test-launched approximately twice a year. The U.S. Air Force Global Strike Command said: "The ICBM test launch program demonstrates the operational capability of the Minuteman III and ensures the United States' ability to maintain a strong, credible nuclear deterrent as a key element of U.S. national security and the security of U.S. allies and partners." The Federation of American Scientists commented: "Russia also appears to be in the early stages of development on at least two new ICBM programs, as well as on various hypersonic glide vehicles that could be fitted atop modified ICBMs. There is significant uncertainty, however, regarding the various designations and capabilities of these systems." Both the U.S. and Russia are likely to conduct further ICBM tests this year. It remains to be seen whether China, another major nuclear power, will carry out its second ICBM test since September 2024. Related Articles Chinese Satellites Capture US Bombers and Jets at Island Air BaseNew US-Iran Nuclear Talks as Tensions RiseUS Stealth Jet Carrier Patrols Waters Near ChinaUS and Russia Flex Military Muscles on Same Stage 2025 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.
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First Post
22-05-2025
- Politics
- First Post
US intelligence says Russia will use nuclear weapon if...
At a time when Vladimir Putin has ramped up the war on Ukraine, a US intelligence assessment has stated the condition in which Russia may use nuclear weapons. read more A Yars intercontinental ballistic missile is launched during a test from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome in the Northern Arkhangelsk region, Russia. (Photo: Reuters) At a time when Vladimir Putin has ramped up the war on Ukraine, the United States has published an intelligence assessment about Russia's nuclear weapons. In the ongoing war with Ukraine, Russian leaders, including Putin, have often threatened Ukraine and its partners with nuclear attacks. Last year, Putin revised Russia's nuclear weapons doctrine and significantly lowered the threshold to use nuclear weapons. The assessment prepared by the US Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) has concluded that Russia is not just expanding the nuclear arsenal but it is also adding new platforms to deliver those nuclear weapons. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD One condition in which Russia may use nuclear weapons While Russia is unlikely to use a nuclear weapon, there is one condition in which it may use it, according to the DIA assessment prepared this month. The DIA has concluded that Russia would use a nuclear weapon if its leadership concludes that the nation is under an existential threat. 'Russia is very unlikely to use nuclear weapons in the conflict [the war in Ukraine] unless Russian leadership judged it faced an existential threat to the regime,' the DIA stated. ALSO READ: Russia expanding nukes' arsenal, deploying air-to-air nuclear missiles: US intelligence The nuclear rhetoric throughout the war and military exercises have been a tool to signal 'its resolve and deter Russia-perceived Western involvement in the conflict', according to the DIA. What is Russia's new nuclear weapons doctrine? In a major escalation, Putin revised Russia's nuclear doctrine last month that reduced the threshold for the usage of nuclear weapons. Under the new doctrine, Russia can launch nuclear response in response to conventional attack as well. Outlining the doctrine, Putin said at the time that Russia would consider a conventional attack aided by a nuclear-armed state as a joint attack, which would make such an attack eligible for retaliation with nuclear weapons. Putin also said that Russia could attack a nation with nuclear weapons even in case of a conventional attack if the attack posed a 'critical threat to our sovereignty'. Putin further said that Russia could use nuclear weapons if it were convinced that a mass cross-border attack by air from strategic and tactical aviation, cruise missiles, drones, and hypersonic weapons is being launched at Russia. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Russia reportedly fails to launch intercontinental ballistic missile to intimidate Ukraine and NATO as planned
The Defense Express media outlet has reported that Russia did not launch an RS-24 Yars intercontinental ballistic missile on the night of 18-19 May, as warned by Defence Intelligence of Ukraine. Source: Defense Express Details: It is noted that if the launch had taken place, it would have been highly likely filmed by locals and made public. "The Russians would also have been able to observe the missile flying. Given that the main Russian test site for intercontinental missiles is Kura in Kamchatka, this missile would have been visible over a large area of Siberia and the Far East, from Khanty-Mansiysk to Magadan. But no video of it has been published," the media outlet says. Why the Russians did not carry out the launch remains unknown. However, Defense Express reiterated that in 2023, the Russian Federation failed twice in a row to successfully launch RS-24 Yars missiles, which veered off course. "After all, any missile undergoes pre-flight checks, and it is unlikely that the Kremlin is interested in demonstrating the inefficiency of its nuclear deterrent forces ahead of the talks between Putin and Trump," the article states. Defense Express also does not rule out an abnormal situation during the first stage of flight immediately after launch – despite the fact that the Yars is a deeply modernised version of the Topol, there is always a risk of failure. For example, at the end of September 2024, an RS-28 Sarmat exploded in a launch silo at the Plesetsk Cosmodrome in Russia. For reference: Yars, or RS-24, is a strategic system based on a solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missile. It was adopted by the Russian Federation in 2009. The system is equipped with a separable warhead, which can have three to six warheads, depending on the modification. Each warhead can hit a different target. The missile's flight speed is reportedly up to 14 Mach, and its explosive power is equivalent to a million tonnes. Propagandists claim that no missile defence system is capable of shooting it down and that a Yars warhead can completely destroy a small city. Background: Prior to this, Defence Intelligence of Ukraine warned that on the night of 18-19 May, Russia was planning to carry out a demonstrative training and combat launch of the RS-24 Yars intercontinental ballistic missile. On the evening of 9 May, the US Embassy in Ukraine called on its citizens to be cautious due to the risk of a large-scale airstrike "in the coming days". It later became known that Russia would close the airspace over the Kapustin Yar missile training ground for two days, 12 and 13 May, for the possible launch of ballistic missiles. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
Newsweek
06-05-2025
- Politics
- Newsweek
America's Top NATO Ally Dusts Off Contingency for Russian Attack: Report
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The U.K. is "secretly preparing" fresh plans for how to respond to a Russian military attack on the NATO country, according to a new report. Why It Matters Voices across NATO have increasingly sounded alarm bells, warning Russia could launch an armed attack on members of the alliance in as little as five years, particularly if Moscow believes NATO to be divided. U.S. President Donald Trump, a notorious NATO skeptic, has shaken up decades of relationships between the U.S. and the continent while thawing relations with the Kremlin. Before returning for a second term in office, Trump suggested he would encourage Russia to attack NATO members who he said fell short of guidelines for defense spending across the alliance. In this photo taken from video released by Russian Defense Ministry Press Service on Friday, March 1, 2024, a Yars intercontinental ballistic missile is test-fired from the Plesetsk launch pad in northwestern Russia. In this photo taken from video released by Russian Defense Ministry Press Service on Friday, March 1, 2024, a Yars intercontinental ballistic missile is test-fired from the Plesetsk launch pad in northwestern Russia. Russian Defense Ministry Press Service via AP NATO hinges on an ironclad commitment to what is known as Article 5, or the idea that one nation under armed attack will be backed up by the remaining members. Russia has repeatedly threatened Ukraine's backers, including the U.K., over their support for Kyiv throughout Moscow's invasion of its neighbor. Talks are ongoing over whether British and other European troops could be sent to Ukraine to police a future ceasefire deal, a prospect rejected by the Kremlin as unacceptable. What To Know U.K. officials will update "contingency plans" drawn up two decades ago for how the British government would respond to a strike on the U.K. mainland, British newspaper The Telegraph reported on Monday. The new "homeland defence plan" will factor in attacks on the country with conventional or nuclear warheads, as well as cyber operations, according to the report. Continental Europe and the U.K. are contending with yawning gaps in air defenses, coupled with many years of low investment in defense and a deep reliance on the U.S. to provide expensive military capabilities and a formidable nuclear arsenal. While the U.K. has its own nuclear deterrent, the U.S. is the only country with a nuclear stockpile rivaling Russia. Last month, a senior official in the U.K.'s Royal Air Force (RAF) said the country had simulated how Russia's initial strikes on Ukraine as it launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022 would have played out on U.K. soil. "It was not a pretty picture," said Air Commodore Blythe Crawford, who retired as the Commandant of the U.K.'s Air and Space Warfare Centre earlier in April. It is understood some of the missiles in the simulation penetrated defenses the U.K. anticipated having, and the war-gaming did not take into account several of Russia's "next generation" weapons debuted later in the war, such as the Zircon and Kinzhal hypersonic missiles. Admiral Sir Tony Radakin, Britain's chief of the defense staff, said in April 2024 defense chiefs were discussing whether a U.K. version of Israel's vaunted Iron Dome air defense system could shield the country from aerial attack. Israel's short-range Iron Dome system, the most well-known of the world's air defense systems, is designed to intercept the kind of attacks common on Israel, but countries like the U.S. are using the Iron Dome as a springboard for figuring out how best to shield home soil. The Golden Dome system proposed by President Donald Trump would be designed with ballistic, hypersonic, and cruise missiles attacks in mind. Officials across the alliance have also warned of Russia's extensive cyber expertise and other types of hybrid warfare. Hybrid warfare refers to a range of activities stopping short of open fighting, like cyberattacks, information campaigns or the targeting of vulnerable infrastructure, such as undersea cables. Re-examinations of the plan will also look at how a war-time government would make use of transport networks, the courts, phone lines and post, as well as how to protect senior British officials and the country's Royal Family after a declaration of war, The Telegraph reported. The country's Labour government is expected to publish a comprehensive review of the country's armed forces in the coming weeks, known as the Strategic Defence Review. NATO nations on the alliance's eastern flank have put in place fresh defenses close to their borders with Russia and key Kremlin ally Belarus, including anti-tank obstacles. What People Are Saying The White House said in January: "The threat of attack by ballistic, cruise, and hypersonic missiles remains a catastrophic threat facing the United States." What Happens Next The plans are not expected to be made public, according to the report.
