--- title: "Russia’s powerful new submarine nuke drone is a coastal killer" description: "The new Cold War is in full swing and the Russians are the first out of the gate with a new superweapon." date: "2018-04-02" modified: "2020-10-22" authors: - name: "Blake Stilwell" job_title: "Editor-In-Chief, Air Force Veteran" link: "https://www.wearethemighty.com/authors/blake/" url: "https://www.wearethemighty.com/articles/russian-superweapon-is-a-submarine-nuke-delivery-drone/" categories: - "Military News" - "Tactical" - "Weapons" tags: - "Russia" --- # Russia’s powerful new submarine nuke drone is a coastal killer ![]() The new Cold War is in full swing and the Russians are the first out of the gate with a new superweapon. --- According to the [Washington Free Beacon's Bill Gertz](), Russia tested a new submarine drone, capable of carrying a nuclear payload. ![]() *(Kanyon UUV/Artist's rendering)* ### Also Read: [This nuclear explosion was nearly 3 times the size anyone predicted ]() The Free Beacon broke the news of the sub – code-named *Kanyon* by the Pentagon – and the Kremlin confirmed its existence two months later. The Russians call it "Ocean Multipurpose System 'Status-6,' " and Gertz' sources in U.S. intelligence say the drone sub is designed to carry the largest nuclear weapons in existence. Popular Mechanics' [Kyle Mizokami]() also noted the nukes are [capable of carrying a "salted bomb" payload ]()of Cobalt-60, which is a highly radioactive isotope that easily crumbles to a fine dust. It could render any blast site uninhabitable for a century or more. The Pentagon also confirmed the weapon's existence. "Status-6 is designed to kill civilians by massive blast and fallout," Former Pentagon official Mark Schneider told The Beacon, noting that such targeting violates the law of armed conflict. "\[The sub\] is the most irresponsible nuclear weapons program that Putin's Russia has come up with." It was "accidentally" [leaked to the public through Russian state television]() in November 2015. U.S. officials say the speaker offscreen was discussing missile defense while the disclosure of the drone submarine happened onscreen. Analysts say it suggests that [the leak was intentional](). ![]() *Screenshot from NTV, Nov. 10, 2015.* The Russian superweapon is launched from a Sarov submarine and controlled by ships on the surface. It is self-propelled and capable of carrying a nuclear warhead up to 6,200 miles. The vehicle can submerge to a depth of 3,280 feet and travel at speeds of up to 56 knots – meaning it can outrun American homing torpedoes. At the time of its initial disclosure, operational testing for the weapon was due to begin in 2019 or 2020. A test of the system was conducted in November 2016, which shows the Russians are way ahead of their own development schedule. ## Author Blake Stilwell is We Are The Mighty's Editor-in-Chief, covering military news, entertainment, and history, along with veteran education, employment and entrepreneurship. He is a former U.S. Air Force combat cameraman with degrees in Graphic Design, Television and Film, International Relations, Public Relations, Business Management and Middle Eastern Affairs. After leaving the military, he began working in film and television production in New York and Los Angeles, work that included ABC News, NBC Olympics, and HBO Sports. He then spent two years in Washington with White House Communications, before joining the Near East Foundation. At NEF he served as an International Development Fellow, then Communications Officer, and finally, Media Officer for the Middle East and Africa. Based in the Palestinian Territory, he coordinated strategic communications between eight country offices, international media, and government and NGO partners. He began a career focused on writing and editing in 2015 with We Are The Mighty. He left in 2019 for Military.com, but returned as Editor-in-Chief in 2025. Blake’s work has been seen on CBS News, Fox News, CBC, The Chicago Tribune, Task & Purpose, Military Times, Recoil, Skillset, American History, and was shockingly even used in a Supreme Court argument. He is an avid traveler and small business owner in Ohio, where he spends most of his energy fixing up a very old house. ### Author social links [Facebook]() [Twitter]() [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]()