Poseidon (unmanned underwater vehicle)

{{redirect|Kanyon|the professional wrestler|Chris Kanyon|the shopping mall in Istanbul|Kanyon Shopping Mall}}

{{Infobox weapon | name = 2M39 Poseidon | image = Status-6.jpg | image_size = | alt = | caption = The Poseidon torpedo, with classified propulsion system censored | type = Nuclear-powered, nuclear-armed [[Unmanned underwater vehicle|UUV]] | origin = [[Russia]] | is_ranged = Yes | is_bladed = | is_explosive = Yes | is_artillery = | is_vehicle = Yes | is_missile = Yes | is_UK =  | service = | used_by = Russia | wars =  | designer = [[Rubin Design Bureau]] and other defence industrial enterprises of Russian Federation | design_date = 2015 | manufacturer = | unit_cost = | production_date = 2023 – present | number = | variants =  | spec_label = | mass = Up to 100 metric tons | length = Up to 20 m (65.6 ft) | part_length = | width = | height = | diameter = Up to 2 m | crew = | passengers =  | cartridge = | cartridge_weight = | caliber = | barrels = | action = | rate = | velocity = | range = | max_range = | feed = | sights =  | breech = | recoil = | carriage = | elevation = | traverse =  | blade_type = | hilt_type = | sheath_type = | head_type = | haft_type =  | filling = | filling_weight = | detonation = | yield = Speculated to be 2 [[TNT equivalent#Kiloton and megaton|Mt]] or more{{r|CRS1|page=24|quote=According to some reports, each drone would be armed with a two-megaton nuclear or conventional payload that could be detonated “thousands of feet” below the surface. Russia could release the drone from its submarine off the U.S. coast and detonate it in a way that would “generate a radioactive tsunami” that could destroy cities and other infrastructure along the U.S. coast.}}<ref name="popularmechanics.com">{{cite web|url=https://www.popularmechanics.com/military/weapons/a25953089/russia-apocalypse-torpedo-poseidon/|title=The Truth Behind Russia's 'Apocalypse Torpedo'|website=[[Popular Mechanics]]|date=18 January 2019|access-date=27 November 2019}}</ref><ref name=":3"/> | primary_armament = | secondary_armament = | engine = [[Liquid metal cooled reactor|Liquid metal reactor]] | engine_power = At least 15 MW | pw_ratio = | payload_capacity = | transmission = Electric transmission | suspension = | clearance = | fuel_capacity = | vehicle_range = Unlimited | speed = Up to 100 knots (185 km/h / 115 MPH){{citation needed|date=October 2024}} | guidance = [[GLONASS]] satellite guidance, also [[Artificial intelligence|AI]] guidance | steering =  | wingspan = | propellant = | ceiling = | altitude = | boost = | depth = Up to 1,000 meters (3280 ft)<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.hisutton.com/Countering_Russian_Poseidon_Torpedo.html | title=H I Sutton - Covert Shores }}</ref> | accuracy = | launch_platform = [[Submarine]] | transport =  | ref = }}

{{external media |video1 = {{YouTube|T_7hWSv689Q|Poseidon Oceanic Multipurpose System|}} // |video2 = {{YouTube|ySZuRs3DxK4|Field tests of the Poseidon complex|}} // }}

The '''Poseidon''' ({{langx|ru|Посейдон}}, "[[Poseidon]]", [[Main Missile and Artillery Directorate|GRAU]] index '''2M39''', [[NATO reporting name]] '''Kanyon'''), previously known by Russian codename '''Status-6''' ({{langx|ru|Статус-6}}), is an autonomous, nuclear-powered [[unmanned underwater vehicle]] reportedly in production by [[Rubin Design Bureau]], capable of delivering both conventional and nuclear [[warhead]]s.<ref name="CRS1">{{cite book|url=https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/R/R45861|title=Russia's Nuclear Weapons: Doctrine, Forces, and Modernization|publisher=[[Congressional Research Service]]|pages=24–25|date=September 13, 2021|access-date=2021-10-18}}</ref><ref name="auto1">{{Cite web|url=https://enseccoe.org/data/public/uploads/2021/10/d1_the-future-role-of-nuclear-propulsion-in-the-military.pdf|title=The Future Role of Nuclear Propulsion in the Military|last=Trakimavičius|first=Lukas|website=NATO Energy Security Centre of Excellence|language=en|access-date=2021-10-15}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://flotprom.ru/2023/%C8%F1%EF%FB%F2%E0%ED%E8%FF2/|title=СМИ узнали о выпуске первого боекомплекта подводных беспилотников "Посейдон"|website=ФлотПром|accessdate=11 March 2023}}</ref> The Poseidon is one of the [[Russian super weapons|six new Russian nuclear weapons]] announced by Russian president [[Vladimir Putin]] on 1 March 2018.<ref name="urlRussia Releases Videos Offering An Unprecedented Look At Its Six New Super Weapons - The Drive">{{cite web |url=http://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/22270/russia-releases-videos-offering-an-unprecedented-look-at-its-six-new-super-weapons |title=Russia Releases Videos Offering An Unprecedented Look At Its Six New Super Weapons - The Drive|date=19 July 2018 }}</ref>

==History== On 10 November 2015, a page of a document that contained information about a secret "oceanic multi-purpose system" called "Status-6" was "accidentally" revealed by Russian [[NTV (Russia)|NTV]] television channel. The leak happened during Russian president [[Vladimir Putin]]'s speech denouncing American plans concerning "defensive" missile technology.<ref name="Status-6 leak">{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-34797252|title=Russia reveals giant nuclear torpedo in state TV 'leak'|website=bbc.com|date=12 November 2015|access-date=24 February 2019}}</ref> The [[CIA]] has claimed the leak was intentional.<ref name="Status-6 leak"/>

According to the Pentagon, [[Russia]] conducted the first test-launch of Poseidon on 27 November 2016, using the [[Russian submarine Sarov (B-90)|B-90 ''Sarov'']] special purpose submarine. The test was reportedly carried out in the [[Arctic Ocean]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://thebarentsobserver.com/en/security/2016/12/did-russia-test-doomsday-weapon-arctic-waters|title=Did Russia test doomsday weapon in Arctic waters?|website=The Independent Barents Observer |date=12 December 2016 }}</ref><ref name="PopMech_NukeDrone_2016">{{cite magazine |last=Mizokami |first=Kyle |date=8 December 2016 |title=Pentagon Confirms Russia Has a Submarine Nuke Delivery Drone |magazine=[[Popular Mechanics]] |url=https://www.popularmechanics.com/military/weapons/a19160734/how-russias-new-doomsday-torpedo-works/ |access-date=}}</ref>

In early 2018, the Pentagon's [[Nuclear Posture Review]] publicly acknowledged development of Russia's "new intercontinental, nuclear armed, nuclear-powered, undersea autonomous torpedo".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.newsweek.com/russia-drones-nuclear-weapons-pentagon-leak-781075|title=Russia has underwater nuclear drones, newly leaked Pentagon documents reveal|website=[[Newsweek]]|date=14 January 2018|access-date=21 January 2018 |quote=Russia is also developing at least two new intercontinental range systems, a hypersonic glide vehicle and a new intercontinental, nuclear-armed undersea autonomous torpedo.}}</ref><ref name=cnn>{{cite news|title=US says Russia 'developing' undersea nuclear-armed torpedo|url=https://www.cnn.com/2018/02/02/politics/pentagon-nuclear-posture-review-russian-drone/index.html|access-date=8 February 2018|work=CNN|date=2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.popularmechanics.com/military/weapons/a15227656/pentagon-document-confirms-existence-of-russian-doomsday-torpedo/|title=Pentagon Confirms Existence of Russian Doomsday Torpedo|date=2018-01-16|work=Popular Mechanics|access-date=2018-01-21|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://nationalinterest.org/blog/the-buzz/russias-status-6-the-ultimate-nuclear-weapon-or-old-idea-24139|title=Russia's Status-6: The Ultimate Nuclear Weapon or an Old Idea That Won't Die?|first=Robert|last=Farley|website=The National Interest|date=20 January 2018|access-date=21 January 2018}}</ref> The system was officially named "Poseidon", following a public vote in March of the same year.<ref>{{cite news|title=New Russian weapons named|url=http://www.janes.com/article/78819/new-russian-weapons-named|work=Jane's 360|date=23 March 2018|access-date=5 April 2018}}</ref>

By January 2019, the [[Russian Navy]] announced plans to procure at least 30 Poseidon uncrewed underwater vehicles, deployed on four submarines, two of which would serve in the Russian [[Northern Fleet]] and two in the [[Pacific Fleet (Russia)|Pacific Fleet]].<ref name="30+ Poseidon drones">{{Cite web|url=http://tass.com/defense/1039603|title=Russian Navy to put over 30 Poseidon strategic underwater drones on combat duty - source|website=TASS|language=ru|access-date=2019-03-24}}</ref> The following month, Russian president Vladimir Putin declared that the key stage of trials of the system had been completed.<ref>{{cite web |date=2 February 2019 |title=Key stage of Poseidon underwater drone trials completed, says Putin |url=http://tass.com/defense/1042975 |access-date=24 February 2019 |website=[[TASS]]}}</ref> This was followed by a video from the Russian Defence Ministry on 20 February, showing a Poseidon being test-launched by a [[Russian submarine Sarov (B-90)|B-90 ''Sarov'']] special purpose submarine.<ref>{{cite news |date=20 February 2019 |title=The Latest: Russia releases video of new underwater drone |url=https://apnews.com/article/moscow-russia-ap-top-news-international-news-europe-fdfa6cd7de94484c9d5131e3d8f30817 |access-date=20 March 2022 |work=Associated Press}}</ref>

In early 2023 the first batch of the weapons had reportedly been manufactured, although some sources criticized the lack of an official confirmation or announcement from the Russian government.<ref>{{Cite web |title=First batch of nuclear-armed drones Poseidon manufactured for special-purpose sub Belgorod |url=https://tass.com/emergencies/1562553 |access-date=2023-01-19 |website=[[TASS]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-04-03 |title=Russia to form special division of Poseidon torpedo carriers, TASS reports |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/russia-form-special-division-poseidon-torpedo-carriers-tass-2023-04-03/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230628160513/https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/russia-form-special-division-poseidon-torpedo-carriers-tass-2023-04-03/ |archive-date=2023-06-28 |access-date=2025-05-08 |website=[[Reuters]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2023-01-16 |title=Russia Produces First Poseidon Super Torpedoes – Report |url=https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2023/01/16/military-source-claims-russia-has-completed-first-poseidon-super-torpedoes-a79959 |access-date=2025-05-07 |website=[[The Moscow Times]] |language=en}}</ref>

In October 2025, Putin said that a Poseidon weapon had been successfully tested.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2025-10-29 |title=Putin Announces Test of Tsunami-Making Nuclear Weapon |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/10/29/world/europe/russia-missile-poseidon-putin-nuclear-tests.html |access-date=2025-10-30 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last1=Faulconbridge |first1=Guy |last2=Rodionov |first2=Maxim |date=2025-10-29 |title=Russia tests nuclear-capable Poseidon super torpedo, Putin says |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/china/putin-says-russia-tested-poseidon-nuclear-capable-super-torpedo-2025-10-29/ |access-date=2025-10-30 |work=Reuters}}</ref>

==Design speculation==

===Overview=== [[File:Status-6_size.jpg|thumb|Estimated diameter of the Poseidon, about 2 meters]]

The Poseidon is intended to serve as response to [[United States|U.S.]] withdrawal from the [[Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty|ABM treaty]] and to increase the Russian capability to overcome the U.S. [[Missile defense|missile defense systems]],{{r|CRS1|page=25|quote=Like the Avangard and Sarmat, this system, according to Russian statements, would also serve as a Russian response to concerns about the U.S. withdrawal from the ABM Treaty and U.S. advances in ballistic missile defenses.}}<ref name="forbes.com">{{cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/hisutton/2019/11/17/video-suggests-russias-poseidon-nuclear-powered-drone-has-a-seabed-launched-version/|title=Video Suggests Russia's Poseidon Nuclear-Powered Drone Has A Seabed-Launched Version|website=[[Forbes]]|date=17 November 2019|access-date=27 November 2019}}</ref><ref name="popularmechanics.com"/><ref name=":3">{{Cite web|url= http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2015/sep/8/russian-drone-submarine-would-threaten-us-coast/ |title=Russian drone submarine would threaten U.S. coast; nuclear vessel in development | work =The Washington Times|access-date= 2015-11-12}}</ref> such as [[anti-ballistic missile]]s, etc.

The Poseidon warhead can contaminate a large area with radiation. For this purpose, the Poseidon is speculated to be equipped with a [[cobalt bomb]].<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-34797252|title=Russia reveals giant nuclear torpedo in state TV 'leak'|website= BBC |date=12 November 2015|access-date=24 February 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url= https://rg.ru/2015/11/12/bomb-site.html|title=Россия "засветила" новое супероружие|website=Российская газета|date=12 November 2015 |language=ru|access-date= 2019-03-24}}</ref> The Poseidon could be a [[radiological warfare|radiological]] [[second strike]] weapon.<ref name="Pifer20151118">{{cite web |last=Pifer |first=Steven |date=18 November 2015 |title=Russia's perhaps-not-real super torpedo |url=https://www.brookings.edu/blog/order-from-chaos/2015/11/18/russias-perhaps-not-real-super-torpedo/ |website=[[Brookings Institution]] |access-date=}}</ref><ref name="Oliphant" />

Normal (not [[Salted bomb|salted]]) thermonuclear weapons cause [[radioactive fallout]] primarily through [[neutron activation]] of material at the detonation site. Unless the detonation happens at low depths in shallow waters, an underwater detonation will have its fallout greatly reduced, except for at the surface immediately above, near the base surge. Much of the radioactivity will be deposited in the sea, and be carried by ocean currents.<ref>{{cite book|first1=Samuel|last1=Glasstone|title=The Effects of Nuclear Weapons|year=1962|publisher=U.S. Department of Defense, U.S. Atomic Energy Commission|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Ovu108BraNUC|pages=414, 467–469}}</ref> Water (and air) will not form radioisotopes suitable for radiological warfare when neutron activated, however the seawater-salt will, and the seabed may.{{cn|date=November 2025}}

If used against an [[carrier battle group|aircraft carrier battle group]], the battle group would have reduced chances of defending itself against it. The drone could detonate its very large warhead at standoff range, and [[anti-submarine warfare]] units would have very little time to react because of the speed at which it is speculated to travel.<ref name=":1">{{cite magazine |last=Mizokami |first=Kyle |date=8 December 2016 |title=Pentagon Confirms Russia Has a Submarine Nuke Delivery Drone |url=https://www.popularmechanics.com/military/weapons/a19160734/how-russias-new-doomsday-torpedo-works/ |magazine=[[Popular Mechanics]] |access-date=}}</ref>

===Specifications===

The Poseidon appears to be a torpedo-shaped robotic mini-submarine which can travel at speeds of {{convert|185|km/h|knot|abbr=on}}.<ref name="Pifer20151118" /><ref name="Oliphant" /><ref name="Business Insider">{{cite web|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/trump-tweet-us-nuclear-weapons-vs-russia-2016-12|title=Trump questions the US's nuclear arsenal: Here's how the US's nukes compare to Russia's|last=Lockie|first=Alex|website=[[Business Insider]] |date=24 December 2016|access-date=18 January 2018}}</ref> More recent information suggests a top speed of {{convert|100|km/h|knot|abbr=on}}, with a range of {{convert|10000|km|nmi mi|abbr=on}} and a depth maximum of {{convert|1000|m|abbr=on}}.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.popularmechanics.com/military/weapons/a24216/pentagon-confirm-russia-submarine-nuke/|title=Pentagon Confirms Russia's Thermonuclear Submarine Bomb Is Real|date=8 December 2016|access-date=18 January 2018}}</ref>

Typical depth of the drone may be about {{convert|50|–|100|meters}} for increased stealth features in low-speed stealth mode. Low depth in stealth mode is preferred because sound waves move to ocean floor and reduce radius of detection. Submarines use the same strategy in [[Silent running (submarine)|silent running]] mode.<ref name=":51" />

It is {{convert|1.6|-|2|metres|ft|0}} in diameter and {{convert|24|metres|-1}} long.<ref name=dn-20180112/>

=== Body ===

Most likely,{{according to whom|date=November 2025}} the high-strength body of the device is made of [[titanium]] alloys.{{cn|date=November 2025}}

===Powerplant=== ''[[The National Interest]]'' compiled several unclassified defense sources from [[General Electric]] experts about the similar [[601B project]]<ref>{{Cite book|title=APEX-910. APPLICATION STUDIES|last1=Commosar|first1=S|last2=CALVERT|last3=HILLMAN|last4=CHASE|last5=NASH|last6=NICOLL|last7=OSGOOD|last8=SEMPLE|last9=THOME|publisher=General Electric|year=1962|editor-last=CULVER|url=http://leehite.org/anp/documents.htm|pages=139}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://medium.com/war-is-boring/this-nuclear-outboard-motor-was-a-really-terrible-idea-2966b898c5e9|title=This Nuclear Outboard Motor Was a Really Terrible Idea|last=Axe|first=David|date=2013-08-06|website=Medium|access-date=2019-03-24}}</ref><ref name=":4">{{Cite web|url=http://up-ship.com/blog/?p=9286|title=601B project|website=up-ship.com|access-date=2019-03-26}}</ref> and they predicted low weight and compact [[Gas-cooled fast reactor|gas-cooled nuclear reactor]] in the drone.<ref name=":22">{{Cite web|url=https://nationalinterest.org/blog/buzz/why-russias-status-6-torpedo-really-100-megaton-cruise-missile-25272|title=Why Russia's Status-6 Torpedo Is Really a 100-Megaton Cruise Missile|author=Steve Weintz|date=2018-07-07|publisher=The National Interest|language=en|access-date=2019-02-26}}</ref> Russian submarine designers say that a low-power reactor is preferred for Poseidon because a smaller reactor is less noisy.<ref name=":51" />

===Stealth technology=== [[File:Status-6 end.jpg|thumb|Pump-jet of the drone (obscured)<ref name=":51" />]] The development includes also use of [[stealth technology]], to elude acoustic tracking devices.<ref name=Oliphant/><ref name=":51" /><ref>{{Cite web|access-date=2015-12-12|title=Есть ли в России современное гидроакустическое вооружение? - ВПК.name|date=25 April 2014 |url=http://vpk.name/news/109348_est_li_v_rossii_sovremennoe_gidroakusticheskoe_vooruzhenie.html|publisher=vpk.name}}</ref> Poseidon uses a [[Silent running (submarine)|silent running]] strategy like other submarines. Its main stealth feature is its very low speed before it reaches the target area. Its high-speed mode activates upon reaching a short finish range (2–3 kilometers), when the probability of detection of the drone is considerably higher. It could travel for weeks toward enemy port cities, reaching high-speed only in the final stage.<ref name=":22" />

Russian designers estimated the radius of detection of the drone will be about {{convert|2-3|km|mi|abbr=on}} if travelling at {{convert|55|km/h|mph|abbr=on}}.<ref name=":51">{{Cite web|access-date=2015-12-12|title=О возможностях гидроакустического обнаружения суперторпед системы "Статус-6" - ВПК.name|date=10 December 2015 |url=http://vpk.name/news/145652_o_vozmozhnostyah_gidroakusticheskogo_obnaruzheniya_supertorped_sistemyi_status6.html|publisher=vpk.name}}</ref> A second important stealth feature of the drone is the special design of the [[pump-jet]] for clearance of the drone's [[acoustic signature]] to imitate the noise of civil ships.<ref name=":51" />

{| class="wikitable" |+ Calculation of detection range for modern acoustic sonar of [[Virginia-class submarine|''Virginia''-class]] submarine<ref name=":51" /> ! Speed of the drone (km/h) ! Detection range (km) |- |37 |1.7 |- |55 |3 |- |74 |29 |- |93 |43 |}

A U.S. intelligence officer told [[CNBC]] that the Poseidon is difficult to detect and difficult to target in stealth mode.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2019/03/25/russias-nuclear-armed-underwater-drone-may-be-ready-for-war-in-2027.html|title=Russia's nuclear-armed underwater drone may be ready for war in 2027|last=Macias|first=Amanda|date=2019-03-25|website=www.cnbc.com|access-date=2019-03-26}}</ref>

===Supercavitation=== Poseidon is a family of drones, some of which are designed only for destroying coastal cities and thus rely on "stealth" capabilities rather than on high speed,<ref name=":51" /> others of which are primarily designed to attack [[carrier battle group]]s<ref name=":1" /> and were claimed to possibly harness [[supercavitation]], like the [[VA-111 Shkval]] torpedo, to attain extremely high speeds (higher than {{convert|195|kn|km/h mph|abbr=on}}) in attack mode.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://tass.ru/armiya-i-opk/5974747|title=Источник: стратегический подводный беспилотник "Посейдон" получит скорость более 200 км/ч|website=ТАСС|access-date=2019-03-24}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.popularmechanics.com/military/weapons/a25953089/russia-apocalypse-torpedo-poseidon/|title=Who's Afraid of Russia's Apocalypse Torpedo?|last=Hambling|first=David|date=2019-01-18|website=Popular Mechanics|language=en-US|access-date=2019-03-24}}</ref> However, supercavitation devices have not been observed on the available footage of Poseidon.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.hisutton.com/Poseidon_Torpedo_Supercavitation.html|title=H I Sutton - Covert Shores|website=www.hisutton.com|access-date=2019-03-24}}</ref> The Pentagon estimates maximum speed of the Poseidon to be about {{convert|56|kn|km/h mph|abbr=on}} without the supercavitation option.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://thenewsrep.com/98207/pentagon-documents-confirm-russia-developing-nuclear-submersible-doomsday-weapon/|title=Pentagon documents confirm Russia is developing a nuclear submersible doomsday weapon|date=2018-01-18|website=NEWSREP|language=en-US|access-date=2019-03-24}}</ref>

===Launch platforms=== The two ships speculated to carry the Poseidon are the Project 09852 [[Oscar-class submarine|modified Oscar-class submarine]] [[Russian submarine Belgorod|''Belgorod'']] and the Project 09851 ''[[Khabarovsk-class submarine|Khabarovsk]]'' submarines.<ref name="Oliphant">{{cite news |last=Oliphant |first=Roland |date=13 November 2015 |title=Secret Russian radioactive doomsday torpedo leaked on television |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/russia/11991729/Secret-Russian-radioactive-doomsday-torpedo-leaked-on-television.html |work=[[The Daily Telegraph]] |access-date=}}</ref><ref name=dn-20180112>{{cite news |url=https://www.defensenews.com/space/2018/01/12/russias-nuclear-underwater-drone-is-real-and-in-the-nuclear-posture-review/ |title=Russia's nuclear underwater drone is real and in the Nuclear Posture Review |last=Insinna |first=Valerie |publisher=Gannett |work=DefenseNews |date=12 January 2018 |access-date=3 February 2018}}</ref><ref name=Diplomat>{{cite web |url=https://thediplomat.com/2015/11/revealed-russias-top-secret-nuclear-torpedo/ |title=Revealed: Russia's Top Secret Nuclear Torpedo |author=Franz-Stefan Gady |publisher=The Diplomat |access-date=18 January 2018}}</ref><ref name="USNI20151204">{{cite news |last=LaGrone |first=Sam |date=4 December 2015 |title=Russian Mystery Submarine Likely Deployment Vehicle for New Nuclear Torpedo |url=https://news.usni.org/2015/12/04/russian-mystery-submarine-likely-deployment-vehicle-for-new-nuclear-torpedo |work=USNI News |publisher=[[United States Naval Institute]] |access-date=}}</ref> [[Oscar-class submarine]]s could carry six Poseidon torpedoes at the same time for a total yield of up to 12-600 [[TNT equivalent|megaton]]s.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2022/03/russias-new-poseidon-super-weapon-what-you-need-to-know|title=Russia's New 'Poseidon' Super-Weapon: What You Need To Know|date=3 March 2022 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://thebarentsobserver.com/en/security/2019/03/russias-most-secret-sub-soon-be-launched-terrifying-weapon|title = Russia's most secret sub soon to be launched with this terrifying weapon | date=14 March 2019 }}</ref>

According to some reports, Poseidon may have a seabed or mobile site launch option. In this configuration, known as ''Skif'' (Скиф) and patented by designer Alexander Shalnev,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://vpk-news.ru/articles/26504|title=Глубочайшая тайна России {{!}} Еженедельник "Военно-промышленный курьер"|website=vpk-news.ru|access-date=2019-03-24|archive-date=2015-11-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117022509/http://vpk-news.ru/articles/26504|url-status=dead}}</ref> Poseidon can be staged on the sea floor in a special container as long as necessary. Russian auxiliary vessels ''Zvezdochka'' (Project 20180) and ''Akademik Aleksandrov'' (Project 20183), both of which feature [[Icebreaker|ice-breaking]] capabilities, are involved in testing of Poseidon drones, indicating that these ships may be used as platforms for deploying and retrieving such a seabed version.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.hisutton.com/Poseidon_Torpedo.html|title=H I Sutton - Covert Shores|website=www.hisutton.com|access-date=2019-03-24}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://thebarentsobserver.com/en/security/2020/09/military-research-ship-returns-after-months-secret-mission-arctic|title = Military research ship returns after months on secret Arctic mission| newspaper=The Independent Barents Observer }}</ref>

==Tsunami claims== In 2022, Russian domestic TV said Poseidon will be able to "plunge [[United Kingdom|Britain]] into the depths of the sea".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/may/03/ireland-condemns-russian-tv-for-nuclear-attack-simulation|work=[[The Guardian]]|title=Ireland condemns Russian TV for nuclear attack simulation|first1=Luke|last1=Harding|date=2022-05-03}}</ref><ref>https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/world-europe-61638389 from time 1:40</ref> According to Russian claims, the Poseidon Torpedo may initiate a 500 m high tsunami.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Nellist |first=Tom |date=2019-05-11 |title=Russia's new NUCLEAR TORPEDO can create 500m radioactive tsunami |language=en |work=Express.co.uk |url=https://www.express.co.uk/news/world/1087925/russia-news-vladimir-putin-russia-war-military-nuclear-torpedo-poseidon-kanyon |access-date=2023-01-24}}</ref>

Various sources disregard these claims by pointing out the difference between a potential wave generated by the weapon and a naturally occurring tsunami. Large tsunamis are usually directed along one path, whereas an undersea explosion causes a wave to spread in 360°, which attenuates more rapidly with distance than a unidirectional wave does. As a comparison, the energy release that caused the [[2011 Japan Tsunami]] was 163,000 times larger than [[Tsar Bomba]], the upper estimate of Poseidon's possible power.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mosher |first=Dave |title=A new Russian video may show a 'doomsday machine' able to trigger 300-foot tsunamis — but nuclear weapons experts question why you'd ever build one |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/russia-doomsday-weapon-submarine-nuke-2018-4 |access-date=2023-01-24 |website=Business Insider |language=en-US}}</ref>

==Reactions== Following the Russian president Vladimir Putin's statements during his presentation of several new Russian super-weapons<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/18906/heres-the-six-super-weapons-putin-unveiled-during-fiery-address | title=Here's the Six Super Weapons Putin Unveiled During Fiery Address | date=March 2018 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.chathamhouse.org/2021/09/advanced-military-technology-russia/03-putins-super-weapons | title=03 Putin's 'super weapons' }}</ref> in March 2018, in which he specifically referenced the Poseidon as a weapon which could also target American port cities, U.S. Defense Secretary [[James Mattis]] stated Russia already had the potential capability of targeting certain port cities on the American coastline with missiles, and said thus Poseidon "does not change at all the strategic balance".<ref>{{cite news|title=Russia says it has successfully launched powerful new missile|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/mar/11/russia-hypersonic-kinzhal-missile-launch|access-date=12 March 2018|work=the Guardian|date=11 March 2018|language=en}}</ref>

==Future users== ;{{RUS}} * [[Russian Navy]] – more than 30 planned<ref name="30+ Poseidon drones"/>

==See also==

{{Portal|Russia}} * [[Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty]] * [[Avangard (hypersonic glide vehicle)]] * [[9M730 Burevestnik]] – a Russian nuclear-powered cruise missile * [[Mutual assured destruction]] * [[Nuclear torpedo]] * [[Russian submarine Belgorod|K-329 Belgorod]] * [[RS-28 Sarmat]] * [[Tsunami bomb]]

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== *{{Commons category-inline|2M39 Poseïdon}}

[[Category:Post–Cold War weapons of Russia]] [[Category:Nuclear weapons of Russia]] [[Category:Naval weapons of Russia]] [[Category:Submarines of Russia]] [[Category:Unmanned underwater vehicles]] [[Category:Tsunami|Poseidon]]