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Russia’s New Nuclear-Powered, Thermonuclear-Armed Torpedo Can’t Be Ignored

Russia’s New Nuclear-Powered, Thermonuclear-Armed Torpedo Can’t Be Ignored
Russian submarines at the Russian naval base in the Syrian Mediterranean port of Tartus on Sept. 26, 2019. Maxime Popov/AFP via Getty Images
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Commentary
Russia’s Poseidon torpedo, also known by NATO as  Status-6 or Kanyon, represents a paradigm shift in strategic nuclear weaponry. Unveiled by President Vladimir Putin in 2018, this intercontinental, nuclear-powered, nuclear-armed autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) is designed to bypass traditional missile defenses and deliver catastrophic destruction to coastal targets. As such, the Poseidon poses a significant new challenge to any country targeted by it. And with a range of thousands of miles, and ability to navigate to its target autonomously at depths of over 3,000 feet, there are no known counters for it. 
Mike Fredenburg
Mike Fredenburg
Author
Mike Fredenburg writes on military technology and defense matters with an emphasis on defense reform. He holds a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering and master's degree in production operations management.