Russia's Putin claims successful final test of new hypersonic missile

Russian President Vladimir Putin announced Wednesday that Russia has successfully developed "a new type of strategic weapon," a hypersonic missile, and a final test "has just been completed with absolute success." The intercontinental "Avangard" system, with missiles that could travel at 20 times the speed of sound and maneuver up and down, will be ready for use in 2019, Putin said. When he unveiled plans for the hypersonic missiles in March, Putin predicted they could evade missile defense systems.

Putin made the announcement in a televised meeting with members of his government. Russian media, citing the Kremlin, said the missile successfully hit its target on the Kamchatka Peninsula in far-eastern Russia.

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