Launch of ICBM "Topol-E", Kapustin Yar training ground, Russia, 2009
According to a report in Izvestia, the missile body has been lengthened and its configuration has been changed. The goal is to deploy a new type of combat load: with MIRVs equipped with their own engines, which ensure maneuvering of MIRVs in direction and speed after separation from the carrier (according to Izvestia data).
In the online magazine "Kopyuterra" No. 30 dated August 19, 2008, I came across an interesting article by Yuri Romanov "The Sword of the Voyevoda", telling about the development of guided warheads (UBB) in relation to the heavy liquid ICBM R-36, nicknamed in the West "Satan" The term “controlled” in this case is most likely inaccurate, nevertheless it should be understood as “homing.” The article is very interesting, so I am citing in full …
Sword of the "Warlord"
Probably the most unusual, unique and, let's face it, creepy domestic combat drone was UBB, which means Controlled Combat Unit …
The events described took place more than a quarter of a century ago, nevertheless, there is every reason to believe that this technique is still on alert in Russia today. Quite possible. We read: "Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov reported to President Vladimir Putin on successful tests of a fundamentally new warhead for domestic ballistic missiles. We are talking about a warhead that can independently maneuver, avoiding any missile defense systems. It is important that the new warhead is unified, that is, it is adapted for installation on both Bulava sea missiles and Topol-M land missiles. Moreover, one missile will be capable of carrying up to six such warheads. " Such things are not scattered around.
In Soviet times, all developments of guided warheads for intercontinental missiles were concentrated at two Ukrainian enterprises - at Yuzhnoye Design Bureau, Dnepropetrovsk, and at NPO Elektropribor (today it is Hartron JSC), Kharkov.
After the collapse of the USSR, all the documentation and the entire backlog of the Ukrainian missilemen handed over to Russia - the Orenburg Machine-Building Plant. This has now become known. And in those years, few people knew to whom and what was transmitted. Everything in this area has always been very secret …
What is UBB?
Let me first explain what "just a warhead" is. It is a device that physically houses a thermonuclear charge aboard an intercontinental ballistic missile. The rocket has a so-called warhead, in which one, two or more warheads can be located. If there are several of them, the warhead is called a multiple warhead (MIRV).
Inside the MIRV there is a very complex unit (it is also called a breeding platform), which, after being driven out of the atmosphere by the carrier rocket, begins to perform a number of programmed actions for individual guidance and separation of the warheads located on it; battle formations are built in space from blocks and false targets, which are also initially located on the platform. Thus, each block is displayed on a trajectory that ensures hitting a given target on the Earth's surface.
Combat blocks are different. Those that move along ballistic trajectories after separation from the platform are called uncontrollable. Controlled warheads, after separation, begin to "live their own lives."They are equipped with orientation engines for maneuvering in outer space, aerodynamic steering surfaces for atmospheric flight control, they have an inertial control system on board, several computing devices, a radar with its own computer … And, of course, a warhead.
The first model of this weapon was large - almost five meters long.
It was an experimental design of a homing warhead, not a warhead. It was held on the theme "Lighthouse" and had the index 8F678. It was then 1972.
And the finished product left the shops after four years.
The control system was built on the basis of an onboard computer. There were also several radar stations: a homing system with its own large antenna, a motion correction system with a side-looking synthetic aperture radar and a three-beam radio altimeter. To control the movement behind the atmosphere, in space, a compressed gas jet propulsion system was used, and in the atmosphere, the moment of forces for control was created due to the displacement of the center of gravity of the warhead relative to its axis. By the way, already on this product, two methods of determining its position relative to the target were worked out: using radio-contrast digital standards and digital maps of the terrain.
Of course, such a cumbersome heavy structure cannot be placed on the MIRV. But the results of its development formed the basis for the next generation project.
It was already UBB, the index in documents 15F178. The unit was developed for the 15A18M rocket, the same one that was part of the Voevoda complex and is also known as the R-36M2 rocket, aka RS-20V, or, according to American indexing, SS-18 "Satan", "Satan". The draft UBB project was ready by 1984.
The block had the shape of a sharp cone about two meters high, the lower part of which - the "skirt" - could deviate in two planes. It was an aerodynamic rudder used in the atmospheric section of the movement. Outside the atmosphere, the unit was controlled by engines of the orientation and stabilization system, and liquid carbon dioxide served as the working fluid.
In terms of equipment saturation, UBB had no equal. Huge density of thought per unit of volume, I would say so. The cone contained: a jet propulsion system for attitude control, mechanics of aerodynamic control surfaces, stabilization units for the center of pressure, steering drives, cylinders with a working fluid, power supplies, on-board computers, coordination units, a variety of sensors, gyro units, radar units and its calculator, cables, and also a thermonuclear charge and all its automation and equipment …
In practice, UBB combined the properties of an unmanned spacecraft and a hypersonic unmanned aircraft. The concept of radio control for such a product is absurd. All actions both in space and during flight in the atmosphere, this device must perform autonomously.
One on one with a goal
After separation from the breeding platform, the warhead flies for a relatively long time at a very high altitude - in space. At this time, the control system of the unit carries out a whole series of reorientations in order to create conditions for accurate determination of its own parameters of movement, to facilitate overcoming the zone of possible nuclear explosions of interceptor missiles …
Before entering the upper atmosphere, the on-board computer calculates the required orientation of the warhead and performs it. Around the same period, sessions of determining the actual location using radar take place, for which a number of maneuvers also need to be done. Then the locator antenna is shot off, and the atmospheric section of movement begins for the warhead.
It is this site that seems to have caused the nickname "Satan", but maybe I'm wrong. The fact is that the aerodynamic properties of the UBB and the capabilities of the on-board motion control system allow it to perform a series of wide maneuvers in the atmosphere with extremely high G-forces. In practice, this means the invulnerability of UBB - there is simply nothing to bring it down with this approach to the target.
All controllability parameters of the UBB were checked during testing of test blocks, which were "fired" from Kapyar (Kapustin Yar proving ground) at Balkhash. The first test launch of a fully loaded UBB (without a nuclear warhead) was carried out in early 1990. Successful tests continued until 1991. Soon, work on this product was closed.
Generally speaking, this was not the only UBB project. In 1987, work began on the Albatross complex. This topic was seen as a further development of the technology of guided warheads. A distinctive feature of the new warhead was its ability to glide in the atmosphere on the wings, which made it possible to approach the target at a relatively low altitude, while actively maneuvering. By 1991, the first products for testing were supposed to appear, but soon the "perestroika processes" began and it is not known how it ended …
Main characteristics of ICBM R-36 with UBB 15F178:
Status: research and development work, tests 1990-91.
The firing range is up to 15,000 km.
Guidance system - inertial + radar homing.
Starting weight - 211.100 kg.
The weight of the head part is up to 8.800 kg.
The basing method is silo.
However, the materials presented in the article are not complete data on the development of guided (homing) warheads, which were carried out in the Soviet Union. There were other developments …
In the USSR, at KBM (Kolomna), a similar unit was developed for naval ballistic missiles. By the way, the created reserve could well have been used to create Iskander-M missile systems (also developed by KBM).
After design work, theoretical and experimental studies in the 80s, flight testing of guided units on the K65M-R launch vehicle was carried out in three stages, a total of 28 launches, during which the efficiency and high firing accuracy were confirmed [1].
About this 4K18 system, the R-27K SLBM, adopted for trial operation and served as part of the USSR Navy from 1975 to 1982, in detail here -
Long-range anti-ship ballistic missiles
Main characteristics:
Condition: in trial operation 1975-1982
The firing range is up to 1.100 km.
The guidance system is inertial with passive guidance to ships.
Starting weight - 13.250 kg.
The weight of the head part is 700-800 kg.
The basing method is the submarine of project 605.
Work was carried out on the UBB and at Chelomey V. M. in relation to the ICBM UR100UTTH. Now we can say - including for the BCCR.
Main characteristics:
Tests - July 1970.
The firing range is 9.200 km.
Guidance system - inertial + radar homing.
Starting weight - 42.200 kg.
Warhead weight - 750 kg.
The basing method is coastal silos.
This work at NPO Mashinostroyenia continued in the early 2000s in the form of an unconventional use of ICBMs with controlled units.
NPO Mashinostroyenia jointly with TsNIIMASH proposed by 2000-2003 to create on the basis of the UR-100NUTTH (SS-19) ICBM ambulance rocket and space complex "Call" to provide emergency assistance to ships in distress in the water area of the oceans.
It is proposed to install special aerospace rescue aircraft SLA-1 and SLA-2 as a payload on the rocket. At the same time, the promptness of delivery of the emergency kit can be from 15 minutes to 1.5 hours, landing accuracy is + 20-30 meters, cargo weight is 420 and 2500 kg, depending on the type of SLA. (A. V. Karpenko, VTS "Bastion", August 2013).
Talking about UBB, it is necessary to mention the works on the topic "Aerophone".
R-17VTO "Aerofon" (8K14-1F) - with a detachable warhead and an optical homing head at the end of the trajectory, developed by TsNIIAG, tested in 1979-1989, NATO code - SS-1e "Scud D". The complex was put into trial operation under the name 9K72-1 in 1990.
Since 1967, specialists from the Central Research Institute of Automation and Hydraulics (TsNIIAG) and NPO Gidravlika have been working on the creation of photo reference guidance systems.
TsNIIAG specialists with their brainchild - the head of a rocket with an optical homing head
The essence of this idea is that an aerial photograph of the target is loaded into the homing head and that, having entered a given area, is guided using an appropriate computer and a built-in video system. Based on the results of the research, the Aerophone GOS was created. Due to the complexity of the project, the first test launch of the R-17 rocket with such a system took place only in 1977. The first three test launches at a distance of 300 kilometers were completed successfully, the conditional targets were hit with a deviation of several meters. From 1983 to 1986, the second stage of testing took place - eight more launches. At the end of the second stage, state tests began. 22 launches, most of which ended in the defeat of the conditional target, became the reason for the recommendation to accept the Aerofon complex for trial operation.
The main characteristics of the R-17VTO Aerofon (8K14-1F):
Condition: trial operation, tests - 1977-86.
The firing range is 50-300 km.
Guidance system - inertial + optical homing.
Starting weight - 5.862 kg.
The basing method is PGRK.
Scheme of the combat use of an operational-tactical missile with an optical homing head
An optical reconnaissance satellite (1) or a reconnaissance aircraft (2) takes a snapshot of the intended location of a stationary target (3), after which the image is transmitted to the command post (4) to identify the target; then the image of the terrain area is digitized with the designation of the target location (5), after which it is entered into the onboard computer of the head part of the tactical missile (6); the launcher (7) launches, after the active phase of the flight, the missile head separates (8) and flies along a ballistic trajectory, then, according to the data of the inertial system and the altimeter, the optical homing head is turned on, which scans the terrain (9) and after identifying the image with a digital standard (10) aims at the target using aerodynamic rudders and hits it.
In 1990, servicemen of the 22nd missile brigade of the Belarusian Military District went to Kapustin Yar to familiarize themselves with the new complex, called 9K72O. A little later, several copies were sent to units of the brigade. There is no information about trial operation, moreover, according to various sources, the 22nd brigade was disbanded earlier than the expected date for the transfer of missile systems. According to available data, all unused missiles and equipment of the complexes are in storage [2].
Development work on the Aerophone theme was successfully completed in 1989. But the research of scientists did not end there, so it is too early to sum up the final results. It is difficult to say how the fate of this development will develop in the future, another thing is clear: it made it possible to study the principles of creating high-precision weapons systems, to see their strengths and weaknesses, and along the way - to make a lot of discoveries and inventions that are already being introduced into both military and civil production [3].
Conclusion
As you can see, in the Soviet Union, a significant groundwork was accumulated in the field of creating UBB. The withdrawal of our partners from the ABM Treaty now allows us to open wide the doors on the path of creating such systems. Both the means of breaking through the anti-missile defense, and increasing the accuracy of hitting stationary and mobile targets, including homing anti-ballistic missile systems for striking the AUG …
According to fragmentary information from open sources, these works are not forgotten, and we are developing UBB! So, over time, we may learn that the first missiles with UBB are on alert, and it does not matter in which implementation - in the form of ICBMs on submarines or PGRK. This will also be a worthy asymmetric response against the AUG of potential opponents. Bravo, Russia!
Literature (links)
1. About rocket mythology. Army Bulletin
2. Half a century of the 9K72 Elbrus missile system. Military Review.
3. The history of the creation of one of the first systems of precision weapons in the country. Military Review.
