The Arms of Russia news agency continues to publish ratings of weapons and military equipment. This time, experts evaluated the land-based intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) of Russia and foreign countries.
The comparative assessment was carried out according to the following parameters:
firepower (number of warheads (BB), total power of BB, maximum firing range, accuracy - CEP)
design perfection (launch mass of the rocket, overall characteristics, conditional density of the rocket - the ratio of the launch mass of the rocket to the volume of the transport and launch container (TPK))
operation (basing method - a mobile-soil missile system (PGRK) or placement in a silo launcher (silo), time between regulations, the possibility of extending the warranty period)
The sum of the points for all parameters gave an overall assessment of the compared ICBM. At the same time, it was taken into account that each ICBM taken from a statistical sample, being compared with other ICBMs, was evaluated based on the technical requirements of its time.
The variety of land-based ICBMs is so great that the sample includes only ICBMs that are currently in service and have a range of more than 5,500 km. by placing them only on submarines).
The rating included 13 ICBMs from Russia, the United States and China.
Intercontinental ballistic missiles
According to the number of points scored, the first four places were taken by:
1. Russian ICBM R-36M2 "Voyevoda" (15A18M, START code - RS-20V, according to NATO classification - SS-18 Satan (Rus. "Satan"))
Basic tactical and technical characteristics (TTX):
Introduced into service, year - 1988
Fuel - liquid
Number of accelerating stages - 2
Length, m - 34.3
Maximum diameter, m - 3.0
Launch weight, t - 211.4
Start - mortar (for silos)
Throwing weight, kg - 8 800
Flight range, km -11 000 - 16 000
The number of BB, power, kt -10X550-800
KVO, m - 400 - 500
The sum of points for all parameters - 28.5
The most powerful ground-based ICBM is the 15A18M missile of the R-36M2 Voevoda complex (designation Strategic Missile Forces RS-20V, NATO designation SS-18mod4 "Satan." The R-36M2 complex has no equal in terms of technological level and combat capabilities.
15A18M is capable of carrying platforms with several dozen (from 20 to 36) nuclear MIRVs of individual guidance, as well as maneuvering warheads. It is equipped with a PCB missile defense system, which makes it possible to break through an echeloned missile defense system using weapons based on new physical principles. R-36M2 are on duty in super-protected silo launchers that are resistant to shock waves at a level of about 50 MPa (500 kg / sq. Cm).
The design of the R-36M2 is based on the ability to launch directly during the period of massive nuclear impact by the enemy on the positional area and blocking the positional area with high-altitude nuclear explosions. The missile has the highest resistance to nuclear weapons among ICBMs.
The rocket is covered with a dark heat-shielding coating, which facilitates the passage of the cloud of a nuclear explosion. It is equipped with a system of sensors measuring neutron and gamma radiation, registering a dangerous level and turning off the control system during the passage of a nuclear explosion cloud,which remains stabilized until the missile leaves the danger zone, after which the control system turns on and corrects the trajectory.
A strike of 8-10 15A18M missiles (in full configuration) ensured the destruction of 80% of the industrial potential of the United States and most of the population.
2. ICBM USA LGM-118A "Peacekeeper" - MX
Basic tactical and technical characteristics (TTX):
Introduced into service, - 1986
Fuel - solid
Number of accelerating stages - 3
Length, m - 21.61
Maximum diameter, m - 2.34
Launch weight, t - 88.443
Start - mortar (for silos)
Throwing weight, kg - 3 800
Flight range, km - 9 600
The number of BB, power, kt - 10X300
KVO, m - 90 - 120
The sum of points for all parameters - 19.5
The most powerful and advanced American ICBM, the MX three-stage solid-propellant missile, was equipped with ten with a yield of 300 kt. It possessed increased resistance to the impact of the PFNV and had the ability to overcome the existing missile defense, limited by an international treaty.
MX had the greatest capabilities among ICBMs in terms of accuracy and ability to hit a heavily defended target. At the same time, the MX themselves were based only in the improved silos of the Minuteman ICBMs, which were inferior in security to the Russian silos. According to American experts, the MX was 6 - 8 times superior in combat capabilities to the Minuteman-3.
A total of 50 MX missiles were deployed, which were on alert in a state of 30-second readiness for launch. Removed from service in 2005, missiles and all equipment of the positioning area are on storage. Variants of using the MX for delivering high-precision non-nuclear strikes are being considered.
3. ICBM of Russia PC-24 "Yars" - Russian solid-propellant intercontinental ballistic missile mobile-based with multiple warhead
Basic tactical and technical characteristics (TTX):
Put into service, year - 2009
Fuel - solid
Number of accelerating stages - 3
Length, m - 22.0
Maximum diameter, m - 1.58
Launch weight, t - 47, 1
Start - mortar
Throwing weight, kg - 1 200
Flight range, km - 11 000
The number of BB, power, kt - 4X300
KVO, m - 150
The sum of points for all parameters - 17.7
Structurally, the RS-24 is similar to the Topol-M, and has three stages. Differs from RS-12M2 "Topol-M":
new platform for breeding blocks with warheads
re-equipment of some part of the missile control system
increased payload
The rocket enters service in the factory transport and launch container (TPK), in which it conducts its entire service. The body of the missile product is coated with special compounds to reduce the effects of a nuclear explosion. Probably, the composition was additionally applied according to the "stealth" technology.
The guidance and control system (SNU) is an autonomous inertial control system with an on-board digital computer (BCVM), astrocorrection is probably used. Presumptive developer of the control system Moscow Scientific and Production Center of Instrumentation and Automation.
The use of the active section of the trajectory was reduced. To improve the speed characteristics at the end of the third stage, it is possible that a turn with the direction of zero increment of the distance is used to complete the last stage fuel reserve.
The instrumentation compartment is completely sealed. The rocket is capable of overcoming the cloud of a nuclear explosion at the start and performing a programmed maneuver. For testing, the missile is likely to be equipped with a telemetry system - the T-737 Triada receiver.
To counteract the means of missile defense, the missile is equipped with a countermeasures complex. From November 2005 to December 2010, tests of anti-missile defense systems using the Topol and K65M-R missiles were carried out.
4. ICBM of Russia UR-100N UTTH (GRAU index - 15A35, START code - RS-18B, according to NATO classification - SS-19 Stiletto)
Basic tactical and technical characteristics (TTX):
Adopted, - 1979
Fuel - liquid
Number of accelerating stages - 2
Length, m - 24.3
Maximum diameter, m - 2.5
Launch weight, t - 105.6
Start - gas dynamic
Thrown weight, kg - 4 350
Flight range, km - 10,000
The number of BB, power, kt - 6X550
KVO, m - 380
The sum of points for all parameters - 16.6
ICBM 15A35 is a two-stage intercontinental ballistic missile, made according to the "tandem" scheme with sequential separation of stages. The rocket has a very dense layout and virtually no dry compartments. According to official data, as of July 2009, the Strategic Missile Forces of the Russian Federation had 70 deployed 15A35 ICBMs.
The last division was previously in the process of liquidation, however, by the decision of the President of the Russian Federation D. A. Medvedev in November 2008, the liquidation process was terminated. The division will continue to be on duty with 15A35 ICBMs until re-equipping with "new missile systems" (most likely, either Topol-M or RS-24).
Apparently, in the near future, the number of 15A35 missiles on alert will continue to decline until stabilization at a level of about 20-30 units, taking into account the purchased missiles. The UR-100N UTTH missile system is extremely reliable - 165 test and combat training launches were carried out, of which only three were unsuccessful.
The American magazine "Air Force Missile Association" called the UR-100N UTTH missile one of the most outstanding technical developments of the Cold War. The first complex, even with UR-100N missiles, was put on alert in 1975 with a guaranteed service life of 10 years. During its creation, all the best design solutions worked out on previous generations of "hundred parts" were implemented.
The high reliability indicators of the missile and the complex as a whole, achieved during the operation of the improved complex with the UR-100N UTTKh ICBMs, allowed the military-political leadership of the country to set the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation, the General Staff, the Strategic Missile Forces command and the lead developer, NPO Mashinostroyenia, the task of gradually extending the service life of the complex with 10 to 15, then to 20, 25 and finally to 30 years and beyond.
