The missile system with a unique Topol-type intercontinental ballistic missile will be Russia's missile shield until 2021
The delicate balance between war and peace in our time is maintained by the parity of strategic nuclear weapons of the United States and Russia. These are ammunition of various capacities that can be delivered to the target by air, sea and ground carriers. The latter are stationary (silo) and mobile intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs). In the United States, these are the only Trident-class silo ICBMs in service since 1970. The main and most widespread Russian ICBM is the Topol missile.
The combat readiness of these missiles is maintained by upgrading them with subsequent test launches without combat equipment. In addition, such launches demonstrate the readiness of nuclear arsenals and the determination of their owners to use such weapons when necessary. It was this goal that the United States pursued during two (16 and 26 February) test launches of Minuteman-3 ICBMs this year. Shortly before the last US Deputy Secretary of Defense Robert Work said that "this is a signal that we are ready to use nuclear weapons to protect our country, if necessary."
The Russian arsenal of ground-based ICBMs, according to the open press, today includes several types of missile systems with carrier rockets. Among them are the R-36M2 "Voyevoda" (SS-18 Satan, "Satan"), the UR-100N UTTKh (SS-19 Stiletto, "Stilet"), RT-2PM "Topol" (SS-25 Sickle, "Serp") and RT-2PM2 Topol-M (SS-27 Sickle B), as well as the PC-24 Yars complex based on the latter. What is the “Topol-M” complex, which at the end of the last century was “the talk of the town”?
How was created
The Topol-M mobile ground-based strategic missile system (PGRK SN) was a further development of the PGRK RT-2PM Topol, which was put into service in 1988. The new complex became the most massive in mass production and provided a solution to the problem of survivability of a grouping of nuclear weapons for retaliation.
The main advantages of the complex are high mobility and the degree of camouflage, the ability to launch missiles from pre-prepared areas on patrol routes. Together with higher accuracy in comparison with the predecessors "Temp-2S" and "Pioneer", "Topol" could be used to solve the entire range of strategic tasks.
The modernized Topol-M missile system (RT-2PM2) became a further development of its analogue and the first only domestically produced missile system. Initially, it was planned to create a stationary (mine) and mobile complexes with unified 15Ж65 and 15Ж55 ICBMs, respectively. In the initial version, these missiles were supposed to have liquid and solid-propellant engines of the combat stage. In addition, the launch container for the silo ICBM was metal, and the mobile container was made of fiberglass.
After the Ukrainian Yuzhnoye design bureau refused to participate in this development in 1992, the head developer of the MIT for the warheads of both missiles created a single solid-propellant propulsion system. A missile of this type was the first ICBM created in Russia after the collapse of the USSR.
The Topol-type complexes were mass-produced by OJSC Votkinskiy Zavod and Central Design Bureau “Titan” in the period from 1997 to 1999.
The mobile and mine versions of the missile were put into service in 1997 and 2000, respectively, and in 2006 the mobile version of the Topol-M complex was also recommended for adoption. In 2011, the Ministry of Defense stopped purchasing the complex in connection with the deployment of RS-24 Yars ICBMs with self-guided missile warheads (MIRVs). The missile has become an improved version of the Topol ICBM.
Purpose and main characteristics
The Topol-M ICBM missile system is designed to engage strategically important enemy targets at a distance of 11,000 kilometers. The first launch took place on December 20, 1994. A three-stage solid-propellant ICBM with a starting mass of 47.1 (47, 2) tons is capable of hitting a target with a monoblock nuclear warhead weighing 1.2 tons (power 550 kt) with a circular probable deviation of no more than 200 m. wheel arrangement 16x16) of the mobile version with a mass and carrying capacity of 40 and 80 tons, respectively, with a cruising range of up to 500 km, it can move at a maximum speed of up to 45 km / h.
Combat training launch of the Topol-M missile system from the Plesetsk cosmodrome. Photo: topwar.ru
The rocket's energy capabilities make it possible to increase the throw weight, significantly reduce the height of the active section of the trajectory, and increase the efficiency of overcoming promising missile defense systems. The third stage with a ramjet hypersonic atmospheric engine was tested.
A monoblock high-speed warhead can be replaced with a maneuvering or multiple warhead (MIRV, unified with the Bulava ICBM) with 3-6 individual targeting warheads (IUs) with a capacity of 150 kt each. In 2005, a Topol-M missile with a maneuvering warhead was tested, and in 2007, a Topol-M ICBM with a MIRV. The probability of overcoming the American missile defense system today is 60-65%, and in the future - more than 80%. The warranty period of the mine MBR 15Zh65 is 15-20 years.
Peculiarities
The Topol-M ICBM missile system has a number of features. These are high mobility (PGRK) and the security of the mine options. The speed of a rocket with a mortar launch is 3-4 times higher than that of liquid-propellant ICBMs, and also a limited maneuver provides a quick climb and exit from the dangerous interception zone after launch. False targets, high flight speed and the ability to change the flight trajectory provide a high probability of overcoming enemy missile defense. This is also facilitated by an improved guidance system, a composite body made of ultra-strong polymer and the absence of lattice aerodynamic stabilizers, which significantly reduces the likelihood of detecting ICBMs by modern radars.
High-pass PU can turn on any ground due to incomplete hanging and low specific ground pressure, which is lower than that of a truck.
High resistance to the damaging factors of a nuclear explosion provides a set of measures. This is a new protective coating for the outer surface of the rocket body, the element base of the control system of increased durability and reliability, shielding and special methods of laying the on-board cable network of the rocket, a special programmed maneuver of the rocket when passing through the cloud of a nuclear explosion, and more.
Due to these and other measures, the Topol-M ICBM missile system in terms of combat readiness, maneuverability and effectiveness of hitting targets in the face of enemy missile defense is about 1.5 times higher than the previous generation complex.
State
According to the latest data from open sources, as of the end of 2015, Russia had about 100 PGRK with Topol ICBMs, as well as about 50 and 20 Topol-M mine and mobile ICBMs. According to the commander of the Strategic Missile Forces Sergei Karakaev, the missile system with ICBMs of the Topol-M type will be in service until 2021. This capability is ensured by the high operational reliability of the complex, which has been confirmed by repeated test launches.
For comparison, as of 2013, the US Air Force numbered about 450 LGM-30G Minuteman 3 ICBMs with 550 nuclear warheads. In 2007, 150 of these ICBMs were on alert at the Malmstrom airbases (Montana), them. Francis Warren (Wyoming) and Minot (North Dakota). They are regularly upgraded by replacing warheads, guidance and control systems, and power plants. It is assumed that this missile will remain in service with the US Air Force until 2020.
