Russia claims to have 'electronic bomb' that can disarm entire US Navy

A state-controlled Russian news channel claims the country's military has devised a form of electronic weapon which could completely incapacitate all US ships and planes without the need for ammunition. The so-called "Russian Electronic Warfare" system reportedly works by jamming radio control signals.

In the report, broadcast on Russia-1's Vesti programme, it was claimed the system had been used by a Russian Sukhoi Su-24 bomber against the USS Donald Cook in the Black Sea in 2014. The ship lost power and had to be rushed to port in Romania.

Vesti quoted now-retired US Air Force General Frank Gorenc as saying: "Russian electronic weapons completely paralyse the functioning of American electronic equipment installed on missiles, aircraft and ships."

The report also claims Russia can create electronic jamming domes over military bases to make them "invisible" to enemy surveillance. The reporter adds: "You don't need to have expensive weapons to win – powerful radio-electronic jamming is enough."

The US has not commented on the claims but recent reports do suggest Russia's military is becoming increasingly aggressive and ambitious. Its new "Zircon" hypersonic missile, able to fly at 4,600mph, was recently announced. Russia has also built a huge new base in the Arctic, and Russian bombers today flew near Alaska for the second time in 24 hours, Fox News reported.

Russia claims, however, that it is being forced to bolster its military because of the expansion of Nato to its European border. Moscow is also concerned about recent US actions, including President Trump's aggressive stance towards North Korea and the cruise missile attack against a Syrian air base.