Russia Cancelled First Avangard Test in Eight Years Before Launch

Russia was preparing the first test of the Avangard strategic system since 2018, but the launch planned for early September did not take place. The reason for cancelling the test remains unknown, and there are no signs that the missile launched and suffered an accident.

Preparation for the test was detected by expert on Russian strategic nuclear forces Pavlo Podvig. According to him, the launch was scheduled to take place between 3 and 5 September from the Dombarovsky area in Orenburg region.

The main date was given as 3 September, with 4 September held as a backup day. It is in this area that the Russian division armed with Avangard systems is based.

NOTAM aviation notices about temporary closures of certain airspace areas indicated preparations for the launch. The restrictions covered the area near the launch site as well as zones where rocket stages could fall.

Some zones were closed in Tyumen region and the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug. Residents of Vikulovsky, Vagaysky, and Sorokinsky districts were also warned in advance about a possible missile launch.

Another restriction applied over the Kura range in Kamchatka. That was where the Avangard hypersonic glide vehicle was to arrive after launch and strike a mock target.

However, the launch did not occur on the scheduled days. Pavlo Podvig noted that after a successful test Moscow would almost certainly have publicly announced it, since Avangard has special significance for Russian propaganda and strategic forces.

At the same time, there is no basis to claim that the missile launched and crashed. If an accident had occurred immediately after launch, the aviation restrictions would likely have been lifted early, but the NOTAMs simply expired after the planned testing period ended.

Therefore it is more accurate to speak of a cancelled launch rather than an unsuccessful missile flight. Russian authorities have not officially explained why the test was not conducted.

The previous known test of Avangard took place in December 2018. At that time the Russian Defense Ministry announced the launch as successful, after which the system was presented as one of the key new strategic weapon systems.

Avangard consists of an intercontinental booster missile and a hypersonic glide warhead. After boost, it is supposed to separate from the rocket and travel through the atmosphere toward its target at high speed.

Russia claims the vehicle can change altitude and direction of flight, complicating interception by missile defense systems. The system can also carry a nuclear warhead and is part of Russia’s strategic nuclear forces.

Russian officials previously attributed speeds of up to 27 Mach to Avangard, or about 33 thousand kilometers per hour. It is impossible to independently confirm all of the characteristics Moscow has claimed for the system.