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Avangard

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Summary

Avangard (Object 4202 / Yu-71) is a Russian hypersonic glide vehicle (HGV) that became operational in December 2019, riding atop the UR-100UTTKh intercontinental ballistic missile. Avangard travels at Mach 20-27 (approximately 6-7.5 km/s) and employs plasma stealth technology — generating a plasma sheath around the vehicle that absorbs electromagnetic radiation, making it extremely difficult to detect and intercept by radar. Russian President Putin announced Avangard as one of six "next-generation" weapons systems in March 2018.

Intelligence Analysis

Avangard

Purpose: Avangard — Russian hypersonic glide vehicle with plasma stealth Category: Technical Assessment This technical assessment synthesizes evidence about Avangard. It connects to 4 entities in the network, drawing from multiple source documents and research programs.

Key Relationships

Key Findings

  • ▸ Purpose: Avangard — Russian hypersonic glide vehicle with plasma stealth
  • ▸ → Orb Weapon Def. (assessment): Avangard uses plasma for stealth (passive). Orb weapons use plasma for propulsion/weapons/spacetime (active). Same plasma physics. Russia solved plasma management for Avangard = applicable to orbs. 'Plasma absorbs EM radiation' = orb 'intermittent radar returns.'
  • ▸ → Global FRC Lineage (assessment): Avangard = Russian deployed plasma stealth hypersonic (2018). Part of global lineage. Russia has most complete plasma weapons ecosystem: ground (Avramenko) + hypersonic (Avangard) + space (Stupitskiy).
  • ▸ → Stupitskiy ASAT (assessment): Both Russian plasma weapons. Avangard (passive plasma stealth, Mach 20) + Stupitskiy (active space plasma guns). Russia solved 'radio waves through plasma' for Avangard = same problem as tracking orb.
  • ▸ → Avramenko (RU) (assessment): Russian plasma weapons continuum: Avramenko (1995, ground plasmoid) → Avangard (2018, passive plasma stealth) → Stupitskiy (2019-2020, space plasma guns). Same plasma physics, different applications.

Network Linkage

Connected to 4 entities (4 assessments). Primary links: Orb Weapon Def., Global FRC Lineage, Stupitskiy ASAT, Avramenko (RU).

Related Entities (4)

AvramenkoRU

PERSON
→ Russian plasma weapons continuum: Avramenko (1995, ground plasmoid) → Avangard (2018, passive plasma stealth) → Stupitskiy (2019-2020, space plasma guns). Same plasma physics, different applications.
Dossier Main Graph

StupitskiyASAT

PROGRAM
→ Both Russian plasma weapons. Avangard (passive plasma stealth, Mach 20) + Stupitskiy (active space plasma guns). Russia solved 'radio waves through plasma' for Avangard = same problem as tracking orb.
Dossier Main Graph

OrbWeaponDef

CONCEPT
→ Avangard uses plasma for stealth (passive). Orb weapons use plasma for propulsion/weapons/spacetime (active). Same plasma physics. Russia solved plasma management for Avangard = applicable to orbs. 'Plasma absorbs EM radiation' = orb 'intermittent radar returns.'
Dossier Main Graph

GlobalFRCLineage

CONCEPT
→ Avangard = Russian deployed plasma stealth hypersonic (2018). Part of global lineage. Russia has most complete plasma weapons ecosystem: ground (Avramenko) + hypersonic (Avangard) + space (Stupitskiy).
Dossier Main Graph

Network Graph

Explore Avangard and its connections in the interactive network graph.

View in Network Graph

Timeline Mentions (5)

2018

Avangard deployed (December 2018): Mach 20 hypersonic with plasma stealth, 'fireball' radar-invisible, Russia's most complete plasma weapons ecosystem

Russia deployed Avangard HGV. Mach 20. Plasma absorbs EM radiation = radar invisible. Surface 2,000°C. NPO Mashinostroeniya. Project 4202/Albatross. Passive plasma stealth. Same physics as orb weapons.

uap-research
2018-03-01

Putin Announces Six "Next-Generation" Weapons

Vladimir Putin publicly announces six new Russian weapons systems including Avangard HGV, Kinzhal ALBM, Zircon hypersonic cruise missile, Sarmat ICBM, Burevestnik nuclear-powered cruise missile, and Peresvet combat laser. A landmark moment in Russian strategic weapons modernization.

MILITARY
2018-12-26

Avangard Successful Test

Russia conducts successful test of Avangard hypersonic glide vehicle at Mach 20+. Putin announces serial production. The Avangard uses plasma stealth technology to defeat missile defense.

MILITARY
2019-12-27

First Avangard Regiment on Combat Duty

First Avangard HGV regiment enters combat duty with the 13th Missile Division at Yasny, Orenburg Oblast. Russia becomes the first nation to operationally deploy a hypersonic glide vehicle.

MILITARY
2023-09-01

Sarmat ICBM Declared Combat Operational

RS-28 Sarmat (SS-29 Satan II) heavy ICBM declared combat operational. Replaces R-36M2 Voevoda. Capable of carrying Avangard HGV warheads. First successful flight test was April 2022.

MILITARY
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Glossary Definition

Avangard (Object 4202 / Yu-71) is a Russian hypersonic glide vehicle (HGV) that became operational in December 2019, riding atop the UR-100UTTKh intercontinental ballistic missile. Avangard travels at Mach 20-27 (approximately 6-7.5 km/s) and empl...

Category: Programs View in Glossary →

Research References

Search the research archive for documents and investigations related to Avangard.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is Avangard? ▾
Avangard (Object 4202 / Yu-71) is a Russian hypersonic glide vehicle (HGV) that became operational in December 2019, riding atop the UR-100UTTKh intercontinental ballistic missile. Avangard travels at Mach 20-27 (approximately 6-7.5 km/s) and employs plasma stealth technology — generating a plasma sheath around the vehicle that absorbs electromagnetic radiation, making it extremely difficult to detect and intercept by radar. Russian President Putin announced Avangard as one of six "next-generation" weapons systems in March 2018.
What is Avangard connected to? ▾
Avangard is directly connected to 4 entities in the network graph, including AvramenkoRU, StupitskiyASAT, OrbWeaponDef. These connections represent documented relationships such as Russian plasma weapons continuum: Avramenko (1995, ground plasmoid) → Avangard (2018, passive plasma stealth) → Stupitskiy (2019-2020, space plasma guns). Same plasma physics, different applications., Both Russian plasma weapons. Avangard (passive plasma stealth, Mach 20) + Stupitskiy (active space plasma guns). Russia solved 'radio waves through plasma' for Avangard = same problem as tracking orb., Avangard uses plasma for stealth (passive). Orb weapons use plasma for propulsion/weapons/spacetime (active). Same plasma physics. Russia solved plasma management for Avangard = applicable to orbs. 'Plasma absorbs EM radiation' = orb 'intermittent radar returns.'. Explore the full network using the interactive graph for complete relationship mapping.
When did Avangard appear in the timeline? ▾
Avangard is referenced in 5 timeline events, spanning from 2023-09-01 to 2018. Key events include "Avangard deployed (December 2018): Mach 20 hypersonic with plasma stealth, 'fireball' radar-invisible, Russia's most complete plasma weapons ecosystem" and "Putin Announces Six "Next-Generation" Weapons". View the full timeline for chronological context.
Where can I find more details about Avangard? ▾
A full intelligence dossier is available for Avangard, including 0 source documents, deep-dive analysis, and network linkage assessment. Visit the dossier page for the complete profile.
How does Avangard fit into the broader network? ▾
Connected to 4 entities (4 assessments). Primary links: Orb Weapon Def., Global FRC Lineage, Stupitskiy ASAT, Avramenko (RU).

Related Links

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