At the moment, eleven Poseidon flight tests are being conducted. The weapon system is still under investigation. According to Pentagon, it has a payload of around two megatons. It could decimate a city in America in under 30 minutes. Poseidon may also be capable carrying nuclear warheads and conventional munitions. This means Poseidon can be used for a wide variety of purposes.
A submarine can hold up to six Poseidon bombers. The submarine can travel at up 80 miles per hour on water and up 70 in the air. It can travel up to 3,280 feet. It may be equipped with a titanium shell that can withstand extreme pressure.
Poseidon's torpedo may have a maximum diameter of 1.6m and length of 24 meters. It would double the size a regular submarine. It is believed to be capable of traveling at speeds exceeding 90 km/h. This is more than double the speed of a conventional submarine. The submarine is capable of traveling at almost any distance around the globe.
The Poseidon torpedo does have its limitations. It may not be fast enough to deliver a retaliatory strike upon a coastal capital. It might also be hard to detect. Poseidon's nuclear propeller system could also malfunction, posing a threat to the submarine. Poseidon's nuclear propulsion system might also be radioactive. Despite these concerns the Poseidon Torpedo could still deliver a nuclear blast and flood coastal cities with radioactive waters.
You will see Poseidon-sized weapons in satellite images of the Russian Arctic. However, Russia won't likely test it for the first time anytime soon. Russia will most likely start testing it soon, perhaps in a few decades. In order to test the weapon, Russian ships need to travel in the Arctic waters before the sea freezes over in winter.
Experts are still skeptical about the Poseidon's potential, although it is still theoretically being developed. Greenpeace's analyst said there are several issues that need to addressed. The torpedo may only be used in limited circumstances if it is not armed. In addition, the Russians should put more money into command and control training.
If it is successful, the Poseidon will be able to destroy strike groups and aircraft carriers. It could also strike at submerged infrastructure or target coastal cities. This could be a devastating weapon for NATO's largest power projector assets. The specially modified Oscar submarines that were designed to carry the Poseidon will be used to transport it to the target. Russia is expected to build a large carrier to carry the Poseidon. Depending on the type of carrier, this could take years to complete.
According to a US official the Russians seem to have difficulty testing Poseidon. The US Navy has been planning countermeasures to protect against Poseidon. Sensor-mines are used to detect and destroy Poseidons.