A screenshot from the video
On December 26, Russia revealed a video showing a final trial of the Avangard hypersonic system. The released video shows a missile silo cover opening and the missile blasting off after an officer counts down the launch sequence. However, the video doesn’t show the moment the glider was deployed.
The weapon system is set to enter enter service with the Russian Armed Forces in 2019 next year.
“On my instructions the industrial enterprises and the Defense Ministry have prepared for and carried out the final test of this system,” Russian President Vladimir Putin said at a meeting with government members. “The test was completely successful: all technical parameters were verified.”
“Starting from next year, in 2019, a new intercontinental strategic system Avangard will enter service in the Russian army and the first regiment in the Strategic Missile Troops will be deployed.”
The glider deploys at a height of 100 kms as it released from the missile and deploys on a trajectory of its own and continues to glide for thousands of kms.