Strategic Missile Forces. Strategic Missile Forces, Novosibirsk: deployment, combat strength, weapons
Strategic Missile Forces- one of the separate ones and represent the main ground component nuclear forces Russian Federation of strategic purpose.
They are subordinate to the General Staff of the RF Armed Forces and are obliged to always maintain combat readiness.
The missile forces are equipped with ground-based silo-based and mobile-based intercontinental ballistic missiles. They are often supplemented nuclear warheads.
Strategic Missile Forces mission
At the beginning of their appearance, the role of nuclear weapons was assigned exclusively as an offensive weapon and to gain an advantage in military terms. In today's reality, this is more of a political means to move towards a goal, restraining aggressive opponents.
However, the deterrent factor is not only the global weapons themselves, but the presence of actual combat characteristics and wide possibilities of use in any situation.
With universal reach, colossal destructive power and without incurring unaffordable maintenance costs, strategic nuclear forces provide effective deterrence at lower costs. In relation to states with superior economic, quantitative resources and the level of equipment of troops with the latest highly effective conventional weapons.
The Strategic Missile Forces, with their daily combat readiness, provide our country with the opportunity to carry out a long and economically difficult reformation period of the Armed Forces and the entire military organization of the Russian Federation.
The purpose of the Strategic Missile Forces is to provide nuclear deterrence of alleged attacks and retaliatory attack actions with their own or general forces of strategic purpose, with the execution of a large-scale, group and single nuclear missile strike on enemy targets of strategic purpose, which play a key role in the combat capability of the opposing side.
These objects can be located together or separately, at a significant distance.
In addition, the task is to implement nuclear deterrence. In modern times, a powerful nuclear shield and complementary mobile complexes appear to be a significant argument for nuclear deterrence and the preservation of international stability.
History of the Strategic Missile Forces
The first developments of strategic missile weapons began in the post-war Soviet Union. Nuclear weapons and initial samples of guided ballistic missiles were produced, missile formations were deployed to quick solution tasks for conflict situations and strategically important tasks of close combat use.
Communication machine MS-1 provides missile division"Topol" with all types of communications during combat duty
In the 50s, the first missiles began to be launched serially, and the need arose for the missile forces to organize centralized leadership. As a result, the formation of strategic missile forces occurred.
Strategic Missile Forces Day
The founding day of the Strategic Missile Forces should be considered December 17, 1959
The process of formation of the Strategic Missile Forces, deployment, and establishment of combat missile duty developed in relation to formations and units with intercontinental ballistic and medium-range missiles, designed to solve strategic problems with geographical dispersion throughout the world.
Being a type of troops, as a result of transformation by decree of the President of Russia, on March 24, 2001, they become a branch of the Armed Forces.
Commander of the Strategic Missile Forces
In 2010, Colonel General Sergei Karakaev was appointed to the post of Commander of the Strategic Missile Forces, and he continues to perform his duties to this day.
Composition of strategic missile forces
The structure of the strategic missile forces has not changed since the times of the Soviet army. As before, it has armies (missile) which include missile divisions and missile regiments. For example, the 27th Guards Rocket Vitebsk Red Banner Army from headquarters in Vladimir, which includes five missile divisions
The components are headed by the main missile command of the troops. The location of the main testing ground Kapustin Yar is the Astrakhan region.
The region where the tests are carried out is based in Kazakhstan - the Sary-Shagan test site; a separate scientific testing station is based on the Kamchatka Peninsula - the Kura test site.
The Strategic Missile Forces also have:
- 4th Central Research Institute,
- Military Academy of the Strategic Missile Forces named after Peter the Great,
- Serpukhov Military Institute of Missile Forces,
- repair plants and bases.
The Strategic Missile Forces have 7 airfields and 8 heliports allocated for operation. The Strategic Missile Forces have been replenished with engineering units; they are equipped with engineering maintenance and camouflage vehicles, remote mine clearance machines, and KDM track-laying vehicles.
Armament of strategic missile forces
R-36M2 missiles (RS-20V, SS-18) are two-stage liquid-fueled, capable of carrying 10 warheads.
Their deployment took place in the late 80s and early 90s. Still retained on combat duty.
UR-100NUTTKH (SS-19) missiles are two-stage liquid-propelled, capable of carrying 6 warheads. Their deployment took place in the late 70s and early 80s. For now they remain on combat duty.
Topol (SS-25) ground-based missile systems are three-stage solid fuel, designed to carry one warhead. The deployment of missiles took place from the mid-80s to the early 90s.
IN this moment they are removed from service upon completion of the operational period.
The Topol-M (SS-27) missile system with the RS-24 Yars modification is a three-stage solid-fuel missile, originally had a monoblock version. The complex was created as a silo-based version and as a ground mobile version.
Deployment of RS-24 complexes mobile version started in 2010.
Russian strategic missile system with solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missile PC-24 "Yars"
Development of the Strategic Missile Forces
It should be noted that now our country does not have the ability to cover the entire territory of the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. This is not surprising, since more than half of intercontinental ballistic missiles have completed their operational period.
There is a need for improvements and new developments, but the reforms have not yet been completed. Certain states with their alliances enjoy a tangible advantage in general purpose forces. The current economic situation in our country gives the strategic nuclear forces the role of key military forces capable of compensating for potential military threats against us.
But it is not all that bad. New facilities are being put into operation to prevent missile attacks. Military satellites have been put into orbit, serving as the most important link in early warning systems.
Missile systems and nuclear missiles, By latest information, do not decrease in number. They are being purposefully replaced by the latest developments, namely, the Topol-M and Yars mobile complexes.
Strategic missile system RT-2PM2 "Topol-M"
All technical innovations adopted by the Strategic Missile Forces require qualified maintenance. Training institutions and military registration and enlistment offices are familiar with this need. Lower-ranking military personnel and junior command personnel are required to have appropriate education, technical disciplines are more preferable in this case.
We wrote earlier about the 47th interspecific regional training center of the Strategic Missile Forces, intended for training junior specialists.
The subsequent development of the Strategic Missile Forces in the form of the main points involves: maintaining combat readiness for the relevant military groupings, increasing the period of use of missile systems for the maximum period, accelerating the deployment of the latest Topol-M missile system with stationary and mobile deployment, improving the combat command and control systems of the army and weapons, gaining scientific and technical advantage of key equipment of the Strategic Missile Forces.
Bottom line
Active steps are now underway for the latest missile rearmament, and it is predicted that by the 20th year new missile systems will account for just under 100 percent. Military units will also be provided with new equipment intended for combat duty. Combat management systems are being improved strategic missile forces
Weapons and military equipment
The purpose of the lesson: Introduce students to general outline with the Strategic Missile Forces as an independent branch of the military,
its purpose, weapons and military equipment.
Time: 45 minutes
Lesson type: combined
Educational and visual complex: life safety textbook grade 10
DURING THE CLASSES
I. Introductory part
* Organizing time
* Monitoring student knowledge:
— What is the main purpose of the Navy?
— What types of forces are included in the Russian Navy?
— What are the main tasks that the submarine forces of the Russian Navy are called upon to perform?
— What famous landing operations were carried out by the Marine Corps during the Great Patriotic War?
Patriotic War of 1941-1945?
Main part
- announcement of the topic and purpose of the lesson
— explanation of new material : § 37 pp. 186-189.
- Purpose, tasks and composition of the Strategic Missile Forces
Strategic Missile Forces – an independent branch of the military designed to implement nuclear deterrence measures and destroy strategic targets that form the basis of the enemy’s military and military-economic potential.
Nuclear deterrence remains a core element in national security. The Strategic Missile Forces are the main component of all our strategic nuclear forces. They are of particular importance for the security of the country. The Strategic Missile Forces account for 60% of warheads. They are responsible for 90% of nuclear deterrence tasks.
A significant increase in the combat capabilities of the Strategic Missile Forces was provided by the integration of the Strategic Missile Forces itself, the Military Space Forces and the Missile and Space Defense Forces, which was carried out in 1997. This is not just a mechanical unification of a branch of the Armed Forces and two branches of the military. Integration provided a clear increase in the effectiveness of combat operations of the combined Strategic Missile Forces.
As a result of the reorganization, the space sector acquires a single person responsible for organizing the use of assets in space.
Integration made it possible to increase combat capabilities and optimize the structure, development and ordering systems for weapons of the Strategic Missile Forces as a whole.
The Strategic Missile Forces are controlled by the Central Command Center, which represents an underground city with its own life support systems. Everyone is on duty in the Strategic Missile Forces - from privates to commander-in-chief. Combat duty is highest form maintaining the combat readiness of troops and weapons of the Strategic Missile Forces.
Information on the “nuclear suitcase”, which is held by the head of state, is provided by the missile and space defense, which is integral part Strategic Missile Forces. It will detect the launch of ballistic missiles, calculate their flight trajectory and impact area. The command for a return launch is duplicated via wires, radio, through space. There are other ways of communicating orders to troops. The probability is guaranteed to be complete.
Organizationally, the Strategic Missile Forces consist of missile armies and divisions, a training ground, military educational institutions, enterprises and institutions.
- Armament and military equipment of the Strategic Missile Forces
Modern Strategic Missile Forces embody the achievements of advanced design and engineering thought. In many respects, domestic missile systems, combat command and control systems for troops and nuclear missile weapons are unique and have no analogues in the world.
The basis of the Strategic Missile Forces' weapons are mobile (for example, the Topol mobile ground-based missile system) and stationary missile systems. The vast majority of their missiles are liquid-propelled, equipped with multiple warheads.
The Strategic Missile Forces, as well as the naval nuclear component, have taken a course towards leaving one type of missile that best satisfies all future requirements. Previously, the missile forces had 11 types of missiles.
Now the Topol-M missile system is in service - a weapon of the 21st century. Groupings of the Topol-M missile systems, together with the complexes of Russia's naval and aviation nuclear forces, should ensure a stable nuclear balance and strategic stability at the beginning of this millennium under any predicted options for the development of the military-political situation.
Conclusion:
1) Strategic Missile Forces are the basis of the combat power of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation.
2) The Strategic Missile Forces have the ability to widely maneuver nuclear missile strikes.
3) The Strategic Missile Forces are capable of striking simultaneously at many strategic targets.
4) Combat use The strategic missile forces do not depend on weather conditions, time of year and day.
The origin of the Strategic Missile Forces is associated with the development of domestic and foreign missile weapons, then nuclear missile weapons, and the improvement of their combat use. In the history of RV:
1946 - 1959 - creation of nuclear weapons and the first samples of guided ballistic missiles, deployment of missile formations capable of solving operational tasks in front-line operations and strategic tasks in nearby theaters of military operations.
1959 - 1965 - formation of the Strategic Missile Forces, deployment and putting on combat duty missile formations and units of intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) and medium-range missiles (RSMs), capable of solving strategic problems in military-geographical areas and in any theaters of military operations.
In 1962, the Strategic Missile Forces took part in Operation Anadyr, during which 42 R-12 and R-14 RSDs were secretly deployed in Cuba, and made a significant contribution to resolving the Cuban Missile Crisis and preventing the American invasion of Cuba.
1965 - 1973 - deployment of a group of intercontinental ballistic missiles with single launches (OS) of the 2nd generation, equipped with monoblock warheads (MC), the transformation of the Strategic Missile Forces into the main component of the strategic nuclear forces, which made a major contribution to the achievement of military-strategic balance (parity) between the USSR and USA.
1973 - 1985 - equipping the Strategic Missile Forces with 3rd generation intercontinental ballistic missiles with multiple warheads and means of overcoming missile defense probable enemy and mobile long-range missile systems.
1985 - 1992 - arming the Strategic Missile Forces with intercontinental stationary and mobile missile systems of the 4th generation, liquidation in 1988 -1991. medium range missiles.
Since 1992 - the formation of the Strategic Missile Forces of the RF Armed Forces, the elimination of intercontinental ballistic missile systems on the territory of Ukraine and Kazakhstan and the withdrawal of mobile Topol ballistic missile systems from Belarus to Russia, the re-equipment of obsolete types of missile systems on ballistic missile systems with standardized monoblock missiles of stationary and mobile Topol bases -M” 5th generation.
The material basis for the creation of the Strategic Missile Forces was the deployment in the USSR of a new branch of the defense industry - rocketry. In accordance with the resolution of the Council of Ministers of the USSR dated May 13, 1946 No. 1017-419 “Issues of jet weapons,” cooperation between the main ministries of industry was determined, research and experimental work began, and a Special Committee on Jet Technology was created under the Council of Ministers of the USSR.
The Ministry of the Armed Forces has formed: a special artillery unit for the development, preparation and launch of V-2 type missiles, the Research Jet Institute of the Main Artillery Directorate, the State Central Range of Jet Technology (Kapustin Yar range), and the Directorate of Jet Weapons within the GAU. The first missile formation armed with long-range ballistic missiles was the special purpose brigade of the RVGK (commander - Major General of Artillery A.F. Tveretsky). In December 1950, the second special purpose brigade was formed, in 1951 - 1955. - 5 more formations that received a new name (since 1953) - engineering brigades of the RVGK. Until 1955, they were armed with ballistic missiles R-1, R-2, with a range of 270 km and 600 km, equipped with a warhead with conventional explosives (general designer S.P. Korolev). By 1958, brigade personnel conducted more than 150 combat training missile launches. From 1946 to 1954, the brigades were part of the artillery of the RVGK and were subordinate to the artillery commander of the Soviet Army. They were managed by a special department of the artillery headquarters of the Soviet Army. In March 1955, the position of Deputy Minister of Defense of the USSR for special weapons and rocket technology was introduced (Marshal of Artillery M.I. Nedelin), under which the headquarters of the rocket units was created.
The combat use of engineering brigades was determined by the order of the Supreme High Command, the decision of which provided for the assignment of these formations to the fronts. The front commander led the engineering brigades through the artillery commander.
On October 4, 1957, from the Baikonur test site, the personnel of a separate engineering test unit carried out a successful launch of the first artificial Earth satellite using the R-7 combat rocket for the first time in world history. Thanks to the efforts of Soviet rocket scientists, a new era in the history of mankind began - the era of practical astronautics.
In the 2nd half of the 50s. The strategic RSD R-5 and R-12 equipped with nuclear warheads (general designers S.P. Korolev and M.K. Yangel) with a range of 1200 and 2000 km and ICBMs R-7 and R-7A were adopted into service with formations and units. (general designer S.P. Korolev). In 1958, the engineering brigades of the RVGK, armed with operational-tactical missiles R-11 and R-11M, were transferred to Ground Forces. The first ICBM formation was the facility with the code name “Angara” (commander - Colonel M.G. Grigoriev), which completed its formation at the end of 1958. In July 1959, the personnel of this formation carried out the first combat training launch of ICBMs in the USSR.
The need for centralized leadership of troops equipped with strategic missiles determined the organizational design of a new type of armed forces. In accordance with Resolution of the Council of Ministers of the USSR No. 1384-615 dated December 17, 1959, the Strategic Missile Forces were created as independent species Sun. According to Decree of the President of the Russian Federation No. 1239 of December 10, 1995, this day is celebrated as an annual holiday - Strategic Missile Forces Day.
On December 31, 1959, the following were formed: the Main Headquarters of the Missile Forces, the Central Command Post with a communications center and a computer center, the Main Directorate of Missile Weapons, the Combat Training Directorate, and a number of other departments and services. The Strategic Missile Forces included the 12th Main Directorate of the Ministry of Defense, which was in charge of nuclear weapons, engineering formations previously subordinate to the Deputy Minister of Defense for Special Weapons and Jet Technology, missile regiments and directorates of 3 Air Force air divisions, arsenals of missile weapons, bases and warehouses of special weapons. The Strategic Missile Forces also included the 4th State Central Training Ground of the Moscow Region (Kapustin Yar); 5th Research Test Site of the Ministry of Defense (Baikonur); separate scientific testing station in the village. Keys in Kamchatka; 4th Research Institute of Moscow Region (Bolshevo, Moscow region). In 1963, on the basis of the Angara facility, the 53rd Scientific Research Test Site for Missile and Space Weapons of the Ministry of Defense (Plesetsk) was formed.
On June 22, 1960, the Military Council of the Strategic Missile Forces was created, which included M.I. Nedelin (chairman), V.A. Bolyatko, P.I. Efimov, M.A. Nikolsky, A.I. Semenov, V.F. Tolubko, F.P. Tonkikh, M.I. Ponomarev. In 1960, the Regulations on combat duty of units and subunits of the Strategic Missile Forces were put into effect. In order to centralize the combat control of the Missile Forces with strategic weapons, organs and control points at the strategic, operational and tactical levels were included in the structure of the Strategic Missile Forces control system, and automated systems for communication and control of troops and combat assets were introduced.
In 1960 - 1961 On the basis of long-range aviation air armies, missile armies were formed, which included RSD formations. The engineering brigades and regiments of the RVGK were reorganized into missile divisions and RSD missile brigades, and the directorates of artillery training ranges and ICBM brigades were reorganized into the directorates of missile corps and divisions. The main combat unit in an RSD formation was a missile division, and in an ICBM formation - a missile regiment. Until 1966, the intercontinental ballistic missile systems R-16 and R-9A were put into service (general designers M.K. Yangel and S.P. Korolev). In the RSD troops, subunits and units were formed armed with the R-12U, R-14U ballistic missile launchers with cluster silo launchers (general designer M.K. Yangel). The first missile formations and units were staffed mainly by officers from the artillery, navy, air force and ground forces. Their retraining for missile specialties was carried out at training centers at test sites, at industrial enterprises and at courses at military educational institutions, and subsequently by instructor groups in units.
In 1965 - 1973 The Strategic Missile Forces are equipped with ballistic missile systems OS RS-10, RS-12, R-36, dispersed over a large area (general designers M.K. Yangel, V.N. Chelomey). In 1970, in order to improve troop leadership and increase the reliability of combat control, missile army directorates were created on the basis of the missile corps directorates. Formations and units with single silo launchers were capable of delivering a guaranteed retaliatory strike in any conditions at the start of the war. DBK 2nd generation provided remote launch of missiles in as soon as possible, high accuracy of hitting the target and survivability of troops and weapons, improvement of operating conditions for missile weapons.
In 1973 - 1985 The Strategic Missile Forces adopted the stationary DBK RS-16, RS-20A, RS-20B and RS-18 (general designers V.F. Utkin and V.N. Chelomey) and the mobile ground DBK RSD-10 (“Pioneer” ”) (general designer A.D. Nadiradze), equipped with multiple individually targeted warheads. Missiles and control points for stationary ballistic missile systems were located in especially highly secure structures. The missiles use autonomous control systems from an on-board computer, providing remote re-aiming of the missiles before launch.
In 1985 - 1992 The Strategic Missile Forces were armed with missile launchers with RS-22 silo- and railway-based missiles (general designer V.F. Utkin) and modernized RS-20V silo-based and RS-12M ground-based missiles (general designers V.F. Utkin and A.D. Nadiradze). These complexes have increased combat readiness, high survivability and resistance to damaging factors nuclear explosion, operational re-aiming and increased autonomy.
The quantitative and qualitative composition of nuclear weapons carriers and warheads of the Strategic Missile Forces, as well as other components of strategic nuclear forces, has been limited since 1972 by the maximum levels established by the Treaties between the USSR (Russia) and the USA. In accordance with the Treaty between the USSR and the USA on the Elimination of Intermediate-Range and Shorter-Range Missiles (1987), RSDs and launchers for them were destroyed, including 72 RSD-10 (“Pioneer”) missiles - by launching from field combat launch positions in districts Chita and Kansk.
In 1997, the merger of the Strategic Missile Forces, the Military Space Forces, and the missile and space defense forces took place. Air defense The RF Armed Forces into a single branch of the RF Armed Forces - Strategic Missile Forces. Since June 2001, the Strategic Missile Forces have been transformed into 2 types of troops - Strategic Missile Forces and Space Forces.
The priority directions for the further development of the Strategic Missile Forces are: maintaining the combat readiness of the existing group of troops, maximizing the extension of the operational life of missile systems, completing the development and deployment at the required pace of modern stationary and mobile-based Topol-M missile systems, developing a system of combat command and control of troops and weapons, creating scientific and technical groundwork for promising models of weapons and equipment of the Strategic Missile Forces.
Purpose of strategic missile forces
Strategic Missile Forces (RVSN), a branch of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, the main component of its strategic nuclear forces. Designed for nuclear deterrence of possible aggression and destruction as part of strategic nuclear forces or by independent massive, group or single nuclear missile strikes of strategic targets located in one or several strategic aerospace directions and forming the basis of the enemy’s military and military-economic potentials.
The role and place of the Strategic Missile Forces in the emerging system of ensuring strategic stability and national security
The modern world is characterized by a highly dynamic transformation of the system of international relations. After the end of the era of bipolar confrontation, contradictory trends emerged towards the formation of a multipolar world and the establishment of dominance by one country or group of countries. Moreover, their implementation is often based on military force methods of solving problems of world politics, which run counter to existing standards world law. Thus, relying on military force still tops the list of measures to resolve crisis situations in the world.
Russia, as one of the largest states in the world with a unique geostrategic position, centuries-old history and rich cultural traditions, which has significant economic, scientific, technical and military potential, cannot remain aloof from ongoing global processes. To achieve its national interests, it is interested in maintaining stable international relations between the most economically and militarily powerful states and strategic stability in general, both on a global and regional scale. Therefore, as priority areas To ensure its military security, Russia is considering strengthening a set of measures to maintain strategic stability, prevent military conflicts and prevent their escalation. In implementing these measures, Russia relies on deterrence potential, the main purpose of which is to prevent and suppress attempts by states or coalitions of states to resolve contradictions with the Russian Federation and its allies through military force through a convincing demonstration of determination and readiness to use force.
Today Russia has sufficient military power. The plan for the construction and development of the Armed Forces provides for their further organizational improvement and the qualitative development of weapons and military equipment. However, an important feature of the current situation is that the reform of the Russian Armed Forces has not yet been completed. A number of states and their alliances have gained significant superiority in general-purpose forces. In the current economic situation in the country, the main real military force, capable of compensating for potential military threats to Russia remain strategic nuclear forces (SNF).
It should be noted that if in the initial period of its existence nuclear weapons were considered as a powerful offensive means of achieving superiority in war, today they have largely become a political means of achieving goals, fulfilling their function of deterring a potential aggressor. Therefore, in the current conditions, Russia, as defined in the Military Doctrine of the Russian Federation, considers nuclear missile weapons as one of the most important factors deterring aggression, ensuring its military security, maintaining international stability and peace.
However, what is holding back is not only and not so much the presence of nuclear weapons, but their real combat characteristics and the high possibilities of their combat use in any situation. Today, Russia's strategic nuclear forces are most consistent with the country's geostrategic and economic position. Possessing global reach, enormous destructive power and without requiring prohibitive maintenance costs, they make it possible to provide deterrence functions at the lowest cost relative to countries that have significant superiority in economic and human resources, as well as in the level of equipment of troops with modern, highly effective conventional weapons. In addition, the presence of strategic nuclear forces and their high combat readiness enable Russia to carry out long-term and economically difficult reform of the Armed Forces and the entire military organization of the state.
The Strategic Missile Forces are one of the three components of strategic nuclear forces (along with naval and aviation strategic nuclear forces). Due to their geostrategic position, the Soviet Union, and then Russia, traditionally gave priority in the development of their strategic nuclear forces to the ground component - the Strategic Missile Forces. Therefore, today in their combat strength approximately 2/3 of all carriers and warheads of strategic nuclear forces are concentrated. The role of the Strategic Missile Forces in the strategic nuclear forces is determined not only by quantitative parameters, but also by their inherent qualitative characteristics, such as: high combat readiness and survivability of missile systems, efficiency and stability of combat control, including under enemy influence.
An indirect confirmation of the “weight” of the Strategic Missile Forces in the strategic nuclear forces is that the United States for many years considered the ground-based ICBMs of the Soviet Union as nuclear weapons that pose the greatest threat to its national security. That is why during the START negotiations they always sought to limit the capabilities of the Strategic Missile Forces to a greater extent. Thus, more than 80% of the restrictions of the START I Treaty relate to ICBMs. Further restrictions on ground-based missiles are provided for by the START-2 Treaty (elimination of ICBMs with MIRVs, special procedures for the elimination of heavy ICBMs and their silos). The draft START-3 Treaty, as well as the START-1 and START-2 Treaties, imposes the main restrictions on the ground-based grouping of stationary and mobile-based strategic missile systems.
From June 1 this year The Strategic Missile Forces were transformed from a branch of the Armed Forces into two independent but closely interacting branches of troops under central command: the Space Forces and the Strategic Missile Forces. During the process of reorganization, the Strategic Missile Forces retained their combat capabilities and ability to timely carry out the combat missions assigned to them for nuclear deterrence. As before, the Missile Forces with the entire existing nuclear missile group, the centralized combat command system and the previously created infrastructure remain combat ready and now, as a branch of the centrally subordinate troops, continue to carry out the tasks assigned to them.
At the same time, the Construction and Development Plan of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, developed for the period until 2005, provided for the qualitative development of the Strategic Missile Forces by re-equipping them with the new Topol-M missile system with more advanced combat and technical characteristics. This complex subsequently formed the basis of the Strategic Missile Forces grouping.
The planned reduction of the Strategic Missile Forces group in the coming years will be carried out taking into account international agreements on strategic offensive arms and the expiration of the operational life of the corresponding missile systems and combat control systems.
Based on this, the prospects for the further development of the Strategic Missile Forces provide for the solution of two main tasks:
- Guaranteed provision of nuclear deterrence against aggression against Russia at a minimum sufficient level;
- Bringing the strength of the Strategic Missile Forces into line with the new organizational structure and the combat missions assigned to them.
The quantitative and qualitative parameters of the Strategic Missile Forces grouping are determined by a number of factors, of which the following are of paramount importance:
- Firstly, the economic capabilities of the state. It is no secret that these opportunities are currently quite limited. Therefore, the chosen path to ensure Russia’s military security, relying on nuclear potential, maintained at a level minimally sufficient to solve the problems of deterrence, today seems to be the most appropriate;
- Secondly, fulfillment of contractual obligations. As is known, in accordance with the START-2 Treaty, by 2007 the Missile Forces had to eliminate all heavy PC-20 missiles with multiple warheads and re-equip the PC-18 missile with a monoblock warhead, that is, switch completely to a group of monoblock missiles;
- Thirdly, the state of the military-political situation in the world and the level of military threats to Russia. Today the situation is such that we have no reason to talk about the possibility of large-scale aggression against Russia in traditional forms in the foreseeable future, even if the nuclear deterrent potential is maintained at a lower level. Expert assessments show that in the modern military-political situation, the task of nuclear deterrence can be solved by reducing the total number of warheads in strategic nuclear forces to 1,500 units. Taking into account the economic situation in the country, a mutual reduction to this level of the nuclear potentials of the parties would meet the long-term interests of Russia.
Composition of the Strategic Missile Forces and location
The Strategic Missile Forces include three missile armies: the 27th Guards Missile Army (headquarters located in Vladimir), the 31st Missile Army (Orenburg), and the 33rd Guards Missile Army (Omsk). The 53rd Missile Army (Chita) was disbanded at the end of 2002. It is also planned that over the next few years the 31st Missile Army (Orenburg) will be disbanded. As of July 2004, the missile armies of the Strategic Missile Forces include 15 missile divisions that are armed with combat missile systems. According to the Strategic Missile Forces development plan, published in November 2004, the number of missile divisions will be reduced to 10-12.
Now in the Strategic Missile Forces, the main areas for the deployment of silo launchers of intercontinental ballistic missiles are six areas: Kozelsk, Tatishchevo, Dombarovsky, Uzhur, Kartaly, Aleysk, in which RS-20, RS-18, UR-100UTTH and some others missiles are on combat duty, as well as nine patrol areas of mobile DBK "Topol" and "Topol-M": Yoshkar-Ola, Teykovo, Novosibirsk, Kansk, Irkutsk, Barnaul, Nizhny Tagil, Vypolzovo, Drovyanaya. 12 RS-22 “Scalpel” launchers at the railway complex are located at permanent deployment points in Kostroma, Krasnoyarsk and Perm.
Missile systems of the Strategic Missile Forces
As of July 2004, the Strategic Missile Forces were armed with 608 missile systems of five various types, which were capable of carrying 2365 nuclear warheads:
| Missile complex | Power of one warhead, kt | Number of warheads | Total power, kt | Locations |
| R-36MUTTH/R-36M2 (SS-18) | 108 | 10 | 1080 | Dombarovsky, Kartaly, Uzhur |
| UR-100NUTTKH (SS-19) | 130 | 6 | 780 | Kozelsk, Tatishchevo |
| RT-23UTTH (SS-24) | 15 | 10 | 150 | Kostroma |
| Poplar (SS-25) | 315 | 1 | 315 | Teykovo, Yoshkar-Ola, Yurya, Nizhny Tagil, Novosibirsk, Kansk, Irkutsk, Barnaul, Vypolzovo |
| Topol-M (SS-27) | 40 | 1 | 40 | Tatishchevo |
Technical equipment of the Strategic Missile Forces
At the end of 2003, the new Iskander operational-tactical missile system will enter service with the Russian Ground Forces. Its deliveries, as reported by Deputy Defense Minister Alexei Moskovsky, are provided for by the state defense order for the current year.
Iskander is designed to strike particularly important small targets. The firing range of the complex does not exceed 300 km. It has two missiles per launcher, which significantly increases the firepower of missile battalions and brigades. It hits targets with exceptional accuracy, which is equivalent in effectiveness to the use of nuclear weapons. Iskander was developed at the Mechanical Engineering Design Bureau.
Its sample was first demonstrated at the Ural exhibition of weapons and military equipment in Nizhny Tagil in July 2000.
The development of the R-36MUTTH (also known as RS-20B and SS-18) and R-36M2 (RS-20V, SS-18) missiles was carried out by the Yuzhnoye Design Bureau (Dnepropetrovsk, Ukraine). The deployment of R-36MUTTH missiles was carried out in 1979-1983, and the R-36M2 missiles in 1988-1992. The R-36MUTTH and R-36M2 missiles are two-stage liquid-fueled and can carry 10 warheads (there is also a monoblock version of the missile). The production of missiles was carried out by the Southern Machine-Building Plant (Dnepropetrovsk, Ukraine). The development plans of the Strategic Missile Forces provide for the preservation of all R-36M2 missiles (about 50 missiles) on combat duty. Subject to the planned extension of service life to 25-30 years, the R-36M2 missiles will be able to remain on combat duty until approximately 2020. The R-36MUTTH missiles were planned to be withdrawn from service by 2008.
The UR-100NUTTKH (SS-19) missiles were developed by NPO Mashinostroeniya (Reutov, Moscow region). The missiles were deployed in 1979-1984. The UR-100NUTTH missile is a two-stage liquid-fueled missile that carries 6 warheads. The production of rockets was carried out by the plant named after. M. V. Khrunicheva (Moscow). To date, some of the UR-100NUTTH missiles have been withdrawn from service. At the same time, based on test launch results, the missile's lifespan appears to have been extended to at least 25 years, meaning these missiles could be stored for several years. In addition, Russia purchased 30 UR-100NUTTH missiles from Ukraine, which were in storage. Once deployed, these missiles are planned to remain in service until approximately 2030.
The RT-23UTTH (SS-24) missiles were developed at the Yuzhnoye Design Bureau (Dnepropetrovsk). Rocket variants for the complex were created mine-based and a railway-based complex. The deployment of the railway version of the complex was carried out in 1987-1991, the mine version in 1988-1989. The RT-23UTTH three-stage solid-fuel missile carries 10 warheads. The production of missiles was carried out by the Pavlograd Machine-Building Plant (Ukraine). To date, the process of removing RT-23UTTH missiles from service is underway - all silo-based complexes have been eliminated, and in 2005 it is planned to eliminate the last railway complexes.
The Topol (SS-25) ground-based missile systems were developed at the Moscow Institute of Thermal Engineering. The missiles were deployed in 1985-1992. The Topol complex missile is a three-stage solid-fuel missile that carries one warhead. The production of missiles was carried out by the Votkinsk Machine-Building Plant. To date, the process of removing the Topol complexes from service has begun due to the expiration of the missiles’ service life.
Brief description of missiles
Pioneer-3
"Pioneer-3" is a mobile ground-based missile system with a two-stage medium-range ballistic missile. The development of the complex was carried out by the Moscow Institute of Thermal Engineering. Tested in 1986.
A more advanced launcher and new, more efficient and accurate warheads have been developed for the missile. The design bureau of the Minsk Automobile Plant developed a rocket carrier with more comfortable and cozy cabins for personnel. Tests of the complex were interrupted during negotiations on the elimination of medium- and shorter-range missiles. Serial production of missiles was not launched.
R-36M. 15A14 (RS-20A)
R-36M is a two-stage intercontinental ballistic missile. It was equipped with a monoblock warhead and a MIRV IN with ten warheads. Developed at Yuzhnoye Design Bureau under the leadership of Mikhail Yangel and Vladimir Utkin. Development began on September 2, 1969. LCTs were carried out from 1972 to October 1975. Tests of the warhead as part of the complex were carried out until November 29, 1979. The complex was put on combat duty on December 25, 1974. Entered service on December 30, 1975.
The first stage is equipped with an RD-264 main engine, consisting of four single-chamber RD-263 engines. The engine was developed at Design Bureau Energomash under the leadership of Valentin Glushko. The second stage is equipped with a propulsion engine RD-0228, developed at the Chemical Automation Design Bureau under the leadership of Alexander Konopatov. The fuel components are UDMH and nitrogen tetroxide. The OS silo was finalized at KBSM under the leadership of Vladimir Stepanov. The launch method is mortar. The control system is autonomous, inertial. Developed at NII-692 under the leadership of Vladimir Sergeev. A set of means for overcoming missile defense was developed at TsNIRTI. The combat stage is equipped with a solid propellant propulsion system. The unified control gear was developed at TsKB TM by the leadership of Nikolai Krivoshein and Boris Aksyutin.
Serial production of missiles began at the Yuzhny Machine-Building Plant in 1974.
| Performance characteristics of the missile"Voevoda" R-36M2. 15A18M | |
| Maximum firing range with a “light” monoblock warhead | 16,000 km |
| Firing range of a missile with a “heavy” warhead | 11,200 km |
| Firing range of a missile with MIRV IN | 10,200 km |
| Maximum launch weight | 211 t |
| Head weight | 7.3 t |
| Rocket length | 34 m |
| Maximum body diameter | 3m |
| Fuel weight | 188 t |
| 400 tf | |
| 450 tf | |
| 293 kgf s/kg | |
| 312 kgf·s/kg | |
| Pressure in the combustion chamber of the first stage propulsion engine | 200 atm |
| Inner diameter of reinforced concrete silo shaft | 5.9 m |
| Silo barrel depth | 39 m |
| Missile combat readiness | 30 s |
R-36M UTTH. 15A18 (RS-20B)
R-36M UTTH is a two-stage intercontinental ballistic missile. Developed at Yuzhnoye Design Bureau under the leadership of Vladimir Utkin. Equipped with a MIRV with ten warheads. Development began on August 16, 1976. LCTs were carried out at the Baikonur test site from October 31, 1977 to November 1979. The complex was put on combat duty on September 18, 1979. Entered service on December 17, 1980.
- The maximum firing range is 11,500 km.
- The initially established guaranteed shelf life is 10 years.
The main characteristics of the R-36M UTTH missile are similar to those of the R-36M.
"Voevoda" R-36M2. 15A18M (RS-20V)
R-36M2 is a two-stage intercontinental ballistic missile. It was equipped with a MIRV IN with ten warheads and a monoblock warhead. Developed at Yuzhnoye Design Bureau under the leadership of Vladimir Utkin. The technical proposal was developed in June 1979. Development began on August 9, 1983. LCTs were carried out from March 1986 to March 1988. The complex was put into service on August 11, 1988. Placed on combat duty in December 1988.
The first stage is equipped with an RD-274 main engine, consisting of four autonomous single-chamber RD-273 propulsion blocks. Developed under the leadership of Valentin Glushko and Vitaly Radovsky. The second stage is equipped with a single-chamber main engine RD-0255, made in a closed circuit. The liquid-propellant rocket engine was developed at the Chemical Automatics Design Bureau under the leadership of Alexander Konopatov. The second stage steering engine has four rotary combustion chambers and one fuel pump. The fuel components are UDMH and nitrogen tetroxide. The autonomous inertial control system was developed under the leadership of the chief designer of the Kharkov NII-692 (NPO Khartron) Vladimir Sergeev. The unified control gear was developed at TsKB TM under the leadership of Boris Aksyutin. The missile is equipped with a set of means to overcome enemy missile defenses.
Serial production of missiles has been launched at the Southern Machine-Building Plant in Dnepropetrovsk.
| Performance characteristics of the missile "Voevoda" R-36M2. 15A18M | |
| 11,000 km | |
| 15,000 km | |
| Maximum launch weight | 211 t |
| Head weight | 8.8 t |
| Rocket length | 34.3 m |
| Maximum body diameter | 3m |
| Thrust of the first stage propulsion engine at the ground | 144 tf |
| 296 kgf·s/kg | |
| 15 years. | |
MR-UR-100. 15A15 (RS-16A)
MR-UR-100 is a two-stage intercontinental ballistic missile. It was equipped with a MIRV IN with four warheads and a monoblock warhead. Developed at Yuzhnoye Design Bureau under the leadership of Mikhail Yangel and Vladimir Utkin. Development of the project began in 1967. The government decree was issued on September 2, 1969. Flight development tests were carried out from December 26, 1972 to December 17, 1974 at the Baikonur training ground. The complex was put into service on December 30, 1975. Placed on combat duty on May 6, 1975.
The launcher was developed at the Leningrad Special Engineering Design Bureau under the leadership of Alexei Utkin. The launch method is mortar. A unified mine-type high-security gearbox was developed at TsKB TM under the leadership of Nikolai Krivoshein and Boris Aksyutin. The first stage is equipped with a sustainer single-chamber fixedly mounted liquid propellant rocket engine RD-268, made in a closed circuit. The steering engine has four rotary combustion chambers. The first stage propulsion rocket engine was developed at the Energomash Design Bureau under the leadership of Valentin Glushko. The second stage is equipped with a single-chamber fixed-mounted 15D169 engine, developed at KB-4 of the Yuzhnoye Design Bureau under the leadership of Ivan Ivanov. Control of the second stage is ensured by gas injection into the supercritical part of the nozzle and four steering nozzles. The fuel components are UDMH and nitrogen tetroxide. Breeding of warheads is carried out using solid fuel rocket engine. The control system is autonomous, inertial. Developed at the Research Institute of AP under the leadership of Nikolai Pilyugin. Gyroscopic devices were developed at the Research Institute of Applied Mechanics under the leadership of Viktor Kuznetsov. Solid propellant charges of powder pressure accumulators were developed under the leadership of the chief designer of LNPO Soyuz Boris Zhukov. The missile is equipped with a missile defense penetration system developed at TsNIRTI. For the MR-UR-100, R-36M and UR-100N missile systems, the Leningrad NPO Impulse developed a unified automated combat control system.
Serial production of missiles began at the Yuzhny Machine-Building Plant in 1973.
| Performance characteristics of the missile MR-UR-100. 15A15 | |
| Maximum firing range of a missile with MIRV IN | 10,200 km |
| Maximum firing range of a missile with a monoblock warhead | 10,300 km |
| Maximum launch weight | 71 t |
| Head weight | 2.5 t |
| Rocket length | 21 m |
| Maximum first stage casing diameter | 2.25 m |
| Maximum diameter of the second stage body | 2.1 m |
| Thrust of the first stage propulsion engine at the ground | 117 tf |
| Specific thrust impulse of the first stage engine at the ground | 296 kgf·s/kg |
| Initial warranty period | 10 years |
MR-UR-100 UTTH. 15A16 (RS-16B)
MR-UR-100 UTTH is a two-stage intercontinental ballistic missile. It was equipped with a MIRV IN with four warheads and a monoblock warhead. Developed at Yuzhnoye Design Bureau under the leadership of Vladimir Utkin. Development began on August 16, 1976. Flight development tests were carried out from October 25, 1977 to December 15, 1979 at the Baikonur training ground. The complex was put on combat duty on October 17, 1978. Entered service on December 17, 1980.
The main characteristics of the MR-UR-100 UTTH missile are similar to those of the MR-UR-100.
"Perimeter" 15A11
"Perimeter" is a command missile. The development of a preliminary design for the command missile of the Perimeter system began at the Yuzhnoye Design Bureau under the leadership of Vladimir Utkin in accordance with the government decree of August 30, 1974. In December 1975, a preliminary design of the rocket was developed.
In December 1977, a preliminary design of the 15A11 command missile with the 15B99 warhead of the Perimeter system was developed. In December 1979, the first launches of 15A11 missiles were carried out to test and issue missile launch commands during a special period. In March 1982, flight tests of the rocket were completed.
UR-100N. 15A30 (RS-18A)
UR-100N is a two-stage intercontinental ballistic missile. Equipped with MIRV IN with six warheads. Developed at the Central Design Bureau for Mechanical Engineering under the leadership of Vladimir Chelomey and at Branch No. 1 of the Central Design Bureau of Mechanical Engineering under the leadership of Viktor Bugaisky. Development began on September 2, 1969. Tests were carried out at the Baikonur test site from April 9, 1973 to October 1975. The complex was put on combat duty on April 26, 1975. Entered service on December 30, 1975.
The OS silo launch complex was developed at Branch No. 2 of TsKBM (GNIP OKB Vympel) under the leadership of Vladimir Baryshev. The launch method is gas-dynamic. The first stage was equipped with four sustaining single-chamber rotary liquid propellant engines RD-0233 and RD-0234. The engines are made in a closed circuit. For the second stage, single-chamber liquid propellant rocket engines were created: RD-0235, made in a closed circuit, and RD-0236, made in an open circuit. The second stage propulsion engine is installed motionless. Main stage liquid propellant engines of the first and second stages and combat stage liquid propellant engines were developed at the Chemical Automatics Design Bureau under the leadership of Alexander Konopatov. The second stage is controlled by a steering motor with four rotary combustion chambers. The fuel components are UDMH and nitrogen tetroxide. Brake motors were developed in KB-2 of plant No. 81 (Iskra MKB) under the leadership of Ivan Kartukov. The autonomous inertial control system was developed at the Kharkov Research Institute-692 (NPO Khartron) under the leadership of Vladimir Sergeev.
Serial production of missiles began in 1974 at the Moscow Machine-Building Plant named after M.V. Khrunichev.
UR-100N UTTH. 15A35 (RS-18B)
UR-100N UTTH is a two-stage intercontinental ballistic missile. Equipped with MIRV IN with six warheads. Developed at the Central Design Bureau of Mechanical Engineering under the leadership of Vladimir Chelomey and Herbert Efremov. Development began on August 16, 1976. Tests were carried out at the Baikonur test site from December 1977 to June 1979. The complex was put into service on December 17, 1980. Placed on combat duty in January 1981. Serial production of missiles at the Moscow Machine-Building Plant named after M. Khrunichev continued until 1985.
The main characteristics of the UR-100N UTTH missile are similar to the characteristics of the UR-100N missile.
RT-23. 15Zh43
RT-23. 15Zh43 is a combat railway missile system with a solid-fuel three-stage intercontinental ballistic missile. Development was carried out at the Yuzhnoye Design Bureau under the leadership of Mikhail Yangel in accordance with the order of the Minister of General Engineering “On the creation of a mobile combat railway missile system (BZHRK) with the RT-23 missile” dated January 13, 1969. In October 1975, construction of the solid fuel engine assembly housing for the RT-23 ICBM began at the Pavlograd Mechanical Plant.
RT-23. 15Zh44
RT-23. 15Zh44 is a solid-fuel three-stage intercontinental ballistic missile for silo launchers. Development was carried out at the Yuzhnoye Design Bureau under the leadership of Mikhail Yangel in accordance with the decree of the government of the country dated July 23, 1976. The control system was created at the Research Institute of Automation and Instrumentation under the leadership of Nikolai Pilyugin and Vladimir Lapygin.
The first preliminary design of a rocket with a monoblock warhead was completed in March 1977. On June 1, 1979, a government decree was issued on the development of the MIRV IN missile. The second, modified, preliminary design of a rocket with MIRV IN 15F143 and increased energy was completed in December 1979. Flight testing of the silo version began in December 1982. On February 10, 1983, by decision of the USSR Defense Council, the RT-23 missile was launched. 15Zh44 is not accepted for service.
RT-23. 15Zh52 (RS-22)
RT-23.15Zh52 is a solid-fuel three-stage intercontinental ballistic missile for the BZHRK. Equipped with a MIRV with ten warheads. Developed at Yuzhnoye Design Bureau under the leadership of Mikhail Yangel and Vladimir Utkin. Development began in 1976. The government decree was issued on July 6, 1979. The complex was put into trial operation on February 10, 1983, but was not accepted for service.
The autonomous control system was developed at the Moscow Research Institute of Automation and Instrumentation under the leadership of Vladimir Lapygin. The launcher was developed at the Leningrad Design Bureau Spetsmash under the leadership of Alexey Utkin. The launch method is mortar. The missile is equipped with a set of means to overcome missile defense. The mixed fuel and solid propellant charge of the first stage of the rocket were developed in Biysk under the leadership of Yakov Savchenko, the second and third stages - in Dzerzhinsky under the leadership of Boris Zhukov. The command module was developed at TsKBTM under the leadership of Boris Aksyutin and Alexander Leontenkov.
The assembly of missiles was mastered at the Pavlograd Mechanical Plant. The railway launcher was mass-produced by the Yurga Machine-Building Plant.
“Well done” RT-23UTTH. 15Zh60 (RS-22)
RT-23 UTTH is a solid-fuel three-stage intercontinental ballistic missile for three types of deployment. Equipped with a MIRV with ten warheads. The development of the Molodets RT-23 UTTH complex began at the Yuzhnoye Design Bureau under the leadership of Vladimir Utkin on August 9, 1983. Tests of the 15Zh60 mine version at the Plesetsk test site took place from July 31, 1986 to September 26, 1988. The complex in the OS silo was put on combat duty on August 19, 1988. Entered service on November 28, 1989.
The silo was developed at the State Scientific Research Institute "OKB Vympel" under the leadership of Oleg Baskakov. The launch method is mortar. The autonomous control system was developed at the Moscow Research Institute of Automation and Instrumentation under the leadership of Vladimir Lapygin. The mixed fuel and solid propellant charge of the first stage of the rocket were developed in Biysk under the leadership of Yakov Savchenko, the second and third stages - in Dzerzhinsky under the leadership of Boris Zhukov. The system of temperature-humidity conditions and heat removal was created at the Moscow Design Bureau of Transport and Chemical Engineering. The missile is equipped with a set of means to overcome missile defense.
Topol-M (SS-27)
The Topol-M (SS-27) missile system was developed at the Moscow Institute of Thermal Engineering. The complex is being created in a mine-based version and in a ground mobile version. The deployment of the mine version of the complex began in 1997. Testing of the mobile version of the complex was completed in December 2004. The deployment of mobile complexes is planned to begin in 2006. From three to nine complexes will be put into operation annually. The Topol-M missile is a three-stage solid-fuel missile, created in a monoblock version. The production of missiles is carried out by the Votkinsk Machine-Building Plant.
Three engines allow it to gain speed much faster than all previous types of rockets. In addition, several dozen auxiliary engines and control equipment provide flight that is unpredictable for the enemy.
R-1. 8A11
R-1 is a single-stage tactical ballistic missile (long-range ballistic missile). Developed at NII-88 under the leadership of Sergei Korolev. Chief designer - Alexander Shcherbakov. The work was started by Korolev in 1946. The government decree on development was issued on April 14, 1948. Tests at the Kapustin Yar test site were carried out from September 17, 1948 to October 1949. The complex was put into service on November 25, 1950.
The RD-100 (8D51) sustainer single-chamber liquid propellant engine was developed at OKB-456 under the leadership of Valentin Glushko. Fuel components - ethanol and liquid oxygen. Complex ground means developed at GSKB Spetsmash under the leadership of Vladimir Barmin. The starting device is a stationary ground table. The launch method is gas-dynamic (the launch was carried out by the main engine). The control system is autonomous, inertial. Developed at NII-885 under the leadership of Nikolai Pilyugin and at NII-944 under the leadership of Viktor Kuznetsov. The transport units of the missile system were developed by the Moscow KBTM under the leadership of Anatoly Gurevich. The rocket installer was developed at the Central Design Bureau for Heavy Engineering under the leadership of Nikolai Leikin. Fuel tanks are suspended (non-load-bearing). Controls: air and gas jet rudders. The missile has a monoblock non-nuclear warhead that cannot be separated in flight.
The production of missiles has been launched at the Experimental Plant NII-88 in Podlipki. Serial production of R-1 missiles and RD-100 engines was launched in November 1952 at the State Union Plant No. 586 in Dnepropetrovsk.
| Performance characteristics of the missile R-1. 8A11 | |
| 270 km | |
| Maximum launch weight | 13.4 t |
| Dry weight of the rocket | 4 t |
| Head weight | 1 t |
| 785 kg | |
| Fuel weight | 8.5 t |
| Rocket length | 14.6 m |
| Maximum body diameter | 1.65 m |
| 27 tf | |
| 31 tf | |
| 199 kgf s/kg | |
| 232 kgf·s/kg | |
| 206 pp. | |
| Main engine weight | 885 kg |
R-2. 8Zh38
R-2 is a single-stage operational-tactical ballistic missile (long-range ballistic missile). Developed at NII-88 under the leadership of Sergei Korolev. Sergei Korolev began the project of a rocket with a doubled flight range in 1946. A government decree defining the stages of work on the project was issued on April 14, 1947. The preliminary design of the rocket was approved on April 25, 1947. Tests were carried out at the Kapustin Yar training ground from September 21, 1949 to July 1951. The complex was put into service on November 27, 1951.
The RD-101 (8D52) sustainer single-chamber liquid propellant engine was developed at OKB-456 under the leadership of Valentin Glushko. The fuel components are ethyl alcohol and liquid oxygen. The complex of ground-based equipment was developed at GSKB Spetsmash under the leadership of Vladimir Barmin. The launch device is a stationary ground launch pad. The launch method is gas-dynamic. The transport units of the missile system were developed by the Moscow KBTM under the leadership of Anatoly Gurevich. The installer was developed at the Central Design Bureau for Heavy Engineering under the leadership of Nikolai Leikin. The autonomous inertial control system was developed at NII-885 under the leadership of Nikolai Pilyugin and at NII-944 under the leadership of Viktor Kuznetsov. The radio correction system was developed under the leadership of chief designer Mikhail Borisenko. The rocket's controls are air and gas-jet rudders. The fuel tank is load-bearing, the oxidizer tank is suspended. The missile has a monoblock non-nuclear warhead detachable in flight.
Serial production of R-2 missiles and RD-101 engines was launched at the State Union Plant No. 586 in Dnepropetrovsk in June 1953.
| Performance characteristics of the missileR-2. 8Zh38 | |
| Maximum firing range | 600 km |
| Maximum launch weight | 20.4 t |
| Head weight | 1.5 t |
| Weight of a conventional explosive charge | 1,008 kg |
| Fuel weight | 14.5 t |
| Rocket length | 17.7 m |
| Maximum body diameter | 1.65 m |
| Main engine thrust at ground level | 37 tf |
| Main engine thrust in the void | 41 tf |
| Specific thrust impulse of the main engine at the ground | 210 kgf·s/kg |
| Specific thrust impulse of a propulsion engine in vacuum | 237 kgf·s/kg |
| Main engine weight | 1,178 kg |
R-3. 8A67
The R-3 is a single-stage medium-range ballistic missile (long-range ballistic missile). Development was carried out at NII-88 under the leadership of Sergei Korolev from April 14, 1947. The preliminary design was approved on December 7, 1949 at a meeting of the Scientific and Technical Council NII-88. On October 4, 1950, a government decree was issued on the creation of the R-3 ballistic missile with a firing range of up to 3000 km. In December 1951, S.P. Korolev stopped working on the project in favor of the R-5 project.
The RD-110 single-chamber liquid propellant rocket engine was developed at OKB-456 under the leadership of Valentin Glushko. The fuel components are oxygen and kerosene. The complex of ground-based assets was developed at GSKB Spetsmash under the leadership of Vladimir Barmin. The launch device is a stationary ground launch pad. The launch method is gas-dynamic. The autonomous control system with radio correction was developed at NII-885 under the leadership of Mikhail Ryazansky and Nikolai Pilyugin, as well as at NII-20 under the leadership of Boris Konoplev. Command instruments (gyros) were developed at NII-944 under the leadership of Viktor Kuznetsov.
R-5. 8A62
The R-5 is a single-stage medium-range ballistic missile (long-range ballistic missile). Developed at NII-88 under the leadership of Sergei Korolev. Leading designer - Dmitry Kozlov. Development began in 1949. The government decree on the creation of the rocket was issued in 1952. Tests took place at the Kapustin Yar training ground from April 2, 1953 to February 1955. In 1954, on the basis of the R-5 rocket, the development of the R-5M rocket began.
The RD-103 (8D54) single-chamber sustainer engine was developed at OKB-456 under the leadership of chief designer Valentin Glushko. The fuel components are ethyl alcohol and liquid oxygen. The starting device - a stationary ground launcher - was developed at GSKB Spetsmash under the leadership of Vladimir Barmin. The launch method is gas-dynamic. The control system is inertial with radio correction of the flight path. The inertial control system was developed at NII-885 under the leadership of Mikhail Ryazansky and Nikolai Pilyugin, and at NII-944 under the leadership of Viktor Kuznetsov. The radio control system was developed at NII-20 under the leadership of Boris Konoplev. The controls are gas-jet and aerodynamic rudders. The missile has a monoblock non-nuclear warhead detachable in flight. Pilot production of missiles was mastered at the Experimental Plant NII-88.
| Performance characteristics of the missileR-5 8A62 | |
| Maximum firing range | 1,200 km |
| Maximum launch weight | 26 - 28.5 t |
| Head weight | 1.42 t |
| Unfueled rocket mass | 4.2 t |
| Rocket length | 20.75 m |
| Maximum body diameter | 1.65 m |
| The speed of the warhead upon entering the dense layers of the atmosphere at an altitude of 90 km | about 3 km/s |
| Main engine thrust at ground level | 44 tf |
| Main engine thrust in the void | 50 tf |
| Specific thrust impulse of the main engine at the ground | 220 kgf·s/kg |
| Specific thrust impulse of a propulsion engine in vacuum | 243 kgf·s/kg |
| Main engine operating time | 219 s |
| Main engine weight | 870 kg |
R-5M. 8K51
The R-5M is a single-stage medium-range ballistic missile (long-range ballistic missile). Developed at OKB-1 under the leadership of Sergei Korolev. Leading designer - Dmitry Kozlov. Development began on April 10, 1954. Tests took place at the Kapustin Yar training ground from January 20, 1955 to February 1956. The missile entered service on June 21, 1956.
The RD-103M single-chamber sustainer engine was developed at OKB-456 under the leadership of Valentin Glushko. The ground launch complex was developed at GSKB Spetsmash under the leadership of Vladimir Barmin. Transport units were developed at KBTM under the leadership of Vladimir Petrov. The rocket installer was developed at TsKB TM under the leadership of Nikolai Krivoshein. The autonomous inertial control system was developed at NII-885 under the leadership of Mikhail Ryazansky and Nikolai Pilyugin, and at NII-944 under the leadership of Viktor Kuznetsov. The radio control system was developed at NII-20 under the leadership of Boris Konoplev. Controls: air and gas jet rudders. The missile has a monoblock nuclear warhead that is detachable in flight. The atomic warhead was developed in Arzamas-16 under the leadership of Samvel Kocharyants. Means for detonating an atomic warhead were created at Moscow Branch No. 1 (now the All-Russian Research Institute of Automation named after N.L. Dukhov) KB-11 (Arzamas-16) under the leadership of Nikolai Dukhov and Viktor Zuevsky.
Serial production of rockets and engines began in 1956 at the State Union Plant No. 586 in Dnepropetrovsk.
| Performance characteristics of the missile R-5M 8K51 | |
| Maximum firing range | 1,200 km |
| Maximum launch weight | 29.1 t |
| Head weight | 1.35 t |
| Nuclear warhead power | 300 kt (there are data about warheads with a capacity 80 kt and 1 Mt) |
| Unfueled rocket mass | 4.39 t |
| Mass of fuel, hydrogen peroxide and compressed air | 24.5 t |
| Mass of liquid oxygen | 13.99 t |
| Mass of ethyl alcohol | 10.01 t |
| Rocket length | 20.75 m |
| Maximum body diameter | 1.65 m |
| Rocket speed at the moment the engine is turned off | 3,016 m/s |
| Top of the trajectory | 304 km |
| Flight time to target | 637 s |
| Main engine thrust at ground level | 43 tf |
| Main engine thrust in the void | 50 tf |
| Specific thrust impulse of the main engine at the ground | 216 kgf s/kg |
| Specific thrust impulse of a propulsion engine in vacuum | 243 kgf·s/kg |
| Main engine weight | 870 kg |
R-7. 8K71
R-7 is a two-stage intercontinental ballistic missile. Developed at OKB-1 under the leadership of Sergei Korolev. Leading designer - Dmitry Kozlov. Development began on May 20, 1954. Tests took place at the Baikonur test site from May 15, 1957 to June 1958. The missile system was put into service on January 20, 1960, but was not put on combat duty.
The first stage (four side blocks) is equipped with four four-chamber propulsion rocket engines RD-107 (8D74) and four two-chamber steering engines. The second stage is equipped with a four-chamber propulsion rocket engine RD-108 (8D75) and a four-chamber steering engine. The RD-107 and RD-108 propulsion engines were developed at OKB-456 under the leadership of Valentin Glushko. Steering motors were developed at OKB-1 under the leadership of Mikhail Melnikov. The fuel components are T-1 kerosene and liquid oxygen. The starting device - a stationary ground launcher - was developed at GSKB Spetsmash under the leadership of Vladimir Barmin. The launch method is gas-dynamic. The transport units of the complex were developed at KBTM under the leadership of Vladimir Petrov. Ground handling units were developed at the Central Design Bureau for Heavy Engineering under the leadership of Nikolai Krivoshein. The control system is inertial with radio correction of the flight path. The autonomous control system was developed at NII-885 under the leadership of Nikolai Pilyugin. The radio control system was developed at NII-885 under the leadership of Mikhail Ryazansky. Command devices were developed at NII-944 under the leadership of Viktor Kuznetsov. The rocket's controls are steering motors and air rudders. The electrical equipment complex was developed at NII-627 of the Ministry of Electrical Engineering Industry under the leadership of Andronik Iosifyan. The missile has a monoblock nuclear warhead that is detachable in flight. The atomic warhead was created under the leadership of chief designer Samvel Kocharyants.
Pilot production of missiles was carried out at the Experimental Plant OKB-1 in Podlipki. Serial production of missiles was launched in 1958 at the Kuibyshev Aviation Plant No. 1. Production of first and second stage main engines was launched at the Kuibyshev Engine Plant No. 24 named after M.V. Frunze.
| Performance characteristics of the R-7 8K71 missile | |
| Maximum firing range | 9,500 km |
| Maximum launch weight | 283 t |
| Dry weight of the rocket with warhead | 27 t |
| Head weight | 5.4 t |
| Nuclear warhead power | 3 Mt (5 Mt) |
| Fuel weight | 250 t |
| Rocket length | 31 - 33 m |
| Rocket central block length | 19.2 m |
| Conical head length | 3.5 m |
| Maximum transverse size of the assembled package | 10.3 m |
| Thrust of the first stage propulsion engine at the ground | 82 tf |
| Thrust of the first stage propulsion engine in the void | 100 tf |
| Specific thrust impulse of the first stage propulsion engine at the ground | 252 kgf·s/kg |
| Specific thrust impulse of the first stage propulsion engine in vacuum | 308 kgf·s/kg |
| Operating time of the main engines of the side blocks (first stage) | 120 s |
| 1,155 kg | |
| 75 tf | |
| 94 tf | |
| 243 kgf·s/kg | |
| 309 kgf·s/kg | |
| Operating time of the main engine of the central block (second stage) | up to 290 s |
| 1,250 kg | |
R-7A. 8K74
R-7A is a two-stage intercontinental ballistic missile. Developed at OKB-1 under the leadership of Sergei Korolev. Leading designer - Dmitry Kozlov. Development began on July 2, 1958. Tests at the Baikonur test site took place from December 24, 1958 to July 1960. The missile system was put on combat duty on January 1, 1960. Entered service on September 12, 1960.
The first stage (four side blocks) is equipped with four RD-107 four-chamber liquid propellant propulsion engines and four two-chamber steering engines. The second stage is equipped with a four-chamber propulsion rocket engine RD-108 and a four-chamber steering engine. The RD-107 and RD-108 propulsion engines were developed at OKB-456 under the leadership of Valentin Glushko. Steering motors were developed at OKB-1 under the leadership of Mikhail Melnikov. The fuel components are T-1 kerosene and liquid oxygen. The starting device - a stationary ground launcher - was developed at GSKB Spetsmash under the leadership of Vladimir Barmin. The launch method is gas-dynamic. The transport units of the complex were developed at KBTM under the leadership of Vladimir Petrov. Ground handling units were developed at the Central Design Bureau for Heavy Engineering under the leadership of Nikolai Krivoshein. The control system is inertial with radio correction of the flight path. The autonomous control system was developed at NII-885 under the leadership of Nikolai Pilyugin. The radio control system was developed at NII-885 under the leadership of Mikhail Ryazansky. Command devices were developed at NII-944 under the leadership of Viktor Kuznetsov. The rocket's controls are steering motors and air rudders. The electrical equipment complex was developed at NII-627 of the Ministry of Electrical Engineering Industry under the leadership of Andronik Iosifyan. The missile has a monoblock nuclear warhead that is detachable in flight. The atomic warhead was created under the leadership of chief designer Samvel Kocharyants.
Serial production of missiles has been launched at Kuibyshev Aviation Plant No. 1. Production of first and second stage main engines has been launched at Kuibyshev Engine Plant No. 24 named after M.V. Frunze.
| Performance characteristics of the R-7A 8K74 missile | |
| Maximum firing range | 9,500 km |
| Maximum launch weight | 276 t |
| Head weight | 3.7 t |
| Nuclear warhead power | 3 Mt |
| Fuel weight | 250 t |
| Rocket length | 31.4 m |
| Maximum diameter of housing package | 10.3 m |
| Thrust of the first stage propulsion engine at the ground | 82 tf |
| Thrust of the first stage propulsion engine in the void | 100 tf |
| Specific thrust impulse of the first stage propulsion engine at the ground | 252 kgf·s/kg |
| Specific thrust impulse of the first stage propulsion engine in vacuum | 308 kgf·s/kg |
| Weight of the first stage propulsion engine | 1,155 kg |
| Thrust of the second stage propulsion engine at the ground | 75 tf |
| Thrust of the second stage propulsion engine in the void | 94 tf |
| Specific thrust impulse of the second stage propulsion engine at the ground | 243 kgf·s/kg |
| Specific thrust impulse of the second stage propulsion engine in vacuum | 309 kgf·s/kg |
| Mass of the second stage propulsion engine | 1,250 kg |
Prospects and trends
The reality is that there is currently no alternative to nuclear weapons in solving global challenges ensuring the country's security - both now and in the foreseeable future. That is why the leadership of Russia and the Ministry of Defense, within the framework of the agreements reached, is taking persistent steps to preserve and strengthen the nuclear missile potential of our state. These issues are in the focus of attention of the country's military-political leadership and are highlighted as priorities by the President of Russia - Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces V.V. Putin at a meeting of the leadership of the Armed Forces on October 2, 2001 and in the Address Federal Assembly Russian Federation. The decisions made allowed the Missile Forces to exclude early removal from combat duty of missile regiments with complexes that had not reached the end of their service life, including preserving combat railway missile systems until 2006.
Within the framework of existing solutions, the complete decommissioning of missile systems whose service life has expired is planned to be carried out only in the next decade. The strength characteristics of missile weapons and the emerging new technologies for assessing their objective condition, along with regular testing of the reliability of missiles through combat training launches, make it possible to implement programs to extend their life. As part of this work, in 2001, an examination was carried out and the storage of so-called “dry” missiles (“Stiletto”) was organized. As the examination showed, despite long terms storage, there are no signs of aging of these missiles. According to the general designer, this will make it possible to extend the maintenance of some missile regiments on combat duty until 2020 and, possibly, beyond. This work was highly appreciated by the President of Russia V.V. Putin and gave him the opportunity to declare at a meeting of the leadership of the Ministry of Defense that “...Russia has a significant stock of ground-based strategic missiles.”
This year, work has begun to extend the service life of “heavy” missiles, which will also allow us to preserve the most powerful missiles for the coming years.
After 2015, the basis of the Strategic Missile Forces grouping will be the Topol-M missile systems, both silo-based and mobile, with various combat equipment. Every year we will put on combat duty the number of these missile systems established by the plans. So these days, in the Saratov region, another regiment equipped with the Topol-M missile system will take up combat duty.
As for the longer term, the existing scientific, technical and design reserves allow us to respond flexibly to emerging challenges and threats. But it should be borne in mind that the development of a fundamentally new missile system will take 10-15 years. We still have such a reserve of time.
Thus, in the medium term, the Missile Forces will have the required number of missile formations and, accordingly, launchers, consistent in their capabilities with the country’s economic resources and modern military-strategic realities.
By December 31, 2012, according to the SNP Treaty, the Russian Strategic Nuclear Forces should have had no more than 1,700 - 2,200 nuclear warheads, which should, under various options possible development military-strategic situation to ensure adequate nuclear deterrence. Taking into account the above, in the nuclear triad, due to the inherent qualities of the Strategic Missile Forces (operability, reliability, independence from weather conditions), the Missile Forces will continue to be assigned the role of the basis of the Strategic Nuclear Forces of Russia, capable of reliably ensuring the deterrence potential from unleashing not only a nuclear, but also a large-scale war with application conventional means defeats.
About how it works nuclear weapon, read
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Strategic Missile Forces (RVSN)
A branch of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, intended for strategic nuclear deterrence of possible aggression and defeat as part of strategic nuclear forces or independently massive, group or single nuclear missile strikes of strategic objects located in one or more strategic aerospace directions and forming the basis of the military and military -economic potential of the enemy. In a war with the use of conventional weapons, the Strategic Missile Forces, in interaction with the forces and means of the branches of the Armed Forces and other branches of the military, solve problems of maintaining their combat capability and ensuring the survivability of missile force groups, constantly maintaining readiness for their combat use (see Use of Strategic Missile Forces ). The main properties of the Strategic Missile Forces: high destructive combat power and combat readiness, the shortest possible time to complete combat missions, practically unlimited reach and high accuracy of nuclear missile strikes, the secrecy of their preparation, all-weather, survivability when exposed to the enemy during the war. The Strategic Missile Forces account for about 2/3 of the nuclear charge carriers and 3/4 of the total power of nuclear charges of strategic nuclear forces.
The Strategic Missile Forces include: military command and control bodies of the Strategic Missile Forces; missile armies, consisting of missile divisions and missile regiments; institutions, enterprises, research organizations and military educational establishments. The basis of the Strategic Missile Forces, as a branch of the Armed Forces (until 2001), consisted of 2 types of troops: in 1982-89 - troops intercontinental missiles and medium-range missiles; in 1989-97 - stationary and mobile troops. Since 1997, in connection with the integration of the Military Space Forces (see Space Forces) and the Rocket and Space Defense Forces into the Strategic Missile Forces, the division into clans has been abolished. The Strategic Missile Forces is headed by the commander (until 2001 - the commander-in-chief). The Strategic Missile Forces are armed with combat missile systems (CMS) with stationary and mobile missile launchers. Officer training is carried out at the Military Academy of the Strategic Missile Forces named after Peter the Great in Moscow, at the Serpukhov Military Institute of Missile Forces and the Rostov Military Institute of Missile Forces with a branch in Stavropol (see also Military education in the Strategic Missile Forces). There is a Museum of the History of the Strategic Missile Forces and a Museum of the Military Academy of the Strategic Missile Forces named after Peter the Great.
The origin of the Strategic Missile Forces is associated with the development of domestic and foreign missile weapons, then nuclear missile weapons, and the improvement of their combat use. The following stages are highlighted in the history of the Strategic Missile Forces: 1946-59 - the creation of nuclear weapons and the first models of guided ballistic missiles, the deployment of missile formations capable of solving operational problems in front-line operations and strategic tasks in nearby theaters of operations; 1959-65 - formation of the Strategic Missile Forces, deployment and putting on combat duty missile formations and units of intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) and medium-range missiles (RSMs), capable of solving strategic problems in military-geographical areas and in any theater of operations (see Strategic missile ); in 1962 the Strategic Missile Forces took part in Operation Anadyr; 1965-1973 - deployment of a group of intercontinental missile launchers with single launches (2nd generation missile launchers), equipped with monoblock warheads (see Warhead of a strategic missile), transformation of the Strategic Missile Forces into the main component of the strategic nuclear forces, which made the main contribution to the achievement of military strategic balance (parity) between the USSR and the USA; 1973-85 – equipping the Strategic Missile Forces with 3rd generation DBK ICBMs with multiple warheads and means of overcoming enemy missile defenses and mobile medium-range DBKs; 1985-92 – equipping the Strategic Missile Forces with intercontinental stationary and mobile 4th generation ballistic missile missile systems, liquidation (in 1988-91) of the RSD; since 1992 - formation of the Strategic Missile Forces of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, liquidation of ICBM missile systems on the territory of Ukraine, Kazakhstan and withdrawal of mobile Topol ballistic missile systems from Belarus to Russia, re-equipment of obsolete types of missile systems on ballistic missile systems with unified monoblock missiles stationary and mobile based "Topol-M" 5th generation. In November 1997, the Military Space Forces and the Rocket and Space Defense Troops of the Russian Air Defense Forces were included in the Strategic Missile Forces. Since June 2001, the Strategic Missile Forces have been transformed into 2 types of troops - the Strategic Missile Forces and the Space Forces.
The material basis for the creation of the Strategic Missile Forces was the creation in the USSR of new branches of the defense industry - the rocket and space industry and the nuclear ammunition industry. In accordance with the Resolution of the Council of Ministers of the USSR dated May 13, 1946, cooperation between the leading ministries of industry was determined, research and experimental work began, and a Special Committee on Jet Technology was created under the Council of Ministers of the USSR. The Ministry of the Armed Forces has formed: a special artillery unit for the development, preparation and launch of missiles, the Research Jet Institute of the Main Artillery Directorate (GAU), the State Central Range of Jet Technology (Kapustin Yar), the Directorate of Jet Weapons within the GAU. The first missile formation armed with long-range ballistic missiles was the Special Purpose Brigade of the Reserve of the Supreme High Command, formed on 08/15/1946 on the basis of the 92nd Gomel Mortar Regiment from the Group of Soviet Occupation Forces in Germany. In December 1950, the 2nd Special Purpose Brigade was formed, and in 1951-55 - 5 more formations, which in 1953 received a new name - engineering brigades of the Reserve of the Supreme High Command (RVGK). Until 1955, they were armed with ballistic missiles R-1, R-2 with a range of 270 and 600 km, equipped with warheads with conventional explosives (general designer S.P. Korolev). By 1958, brigade personnel had conducted more than 150 combat training missile launches. In 1946-54, the brigades were part of the artillery of the RVGK and were subordinate to the artillery commander of the Soviet Army. In March 1955, the position of Deputy Minister of Defense of the USSR for special weapons and rocket technology was introduced (Marshal of Artillery M.I. Nedelin), under which the Headquarters of rocket units was created. The combat use of engineering brigades was determined by the order of the Supreme High Command, the decision of which provided for the assignment of these formations to the fronts. The front commander controlled the brigades through the artillery commander.
In the 2nd half of the 50s. The strategic RSD R-5 and R-12 equipped with a nuclear warhead (general designers S.P. Korolev, M.K. Yangel) with a range of 1200 and 2000 km were adopted into service with formations and units. and ICBMs R-7 and R-7A. In 1958, the engineering brigades of the RVGK, armed with operational-tactical missiles, were transferred to the Ground Forces. The first ICBM formation was the facility with the code name "Angara" object (commander Colonel M.G. Grigoriev), formed at the end of 1958. In July 1959, the personnel of this formation carried out the first independent combat training launch of ICBMs in the USSR. In 1959, the USSR Armed Forces included 1 ICBM formation (code name Artillery Training Range), 7 engineering brigades and more than 40 RSD engineering regiments. Moreover, about half of the engineering regiments were part of the Air Force's long-range aviation.
The need for centralized leadership of troops equipped with strategic missiles determined the organizational design of a new type of Armed Forces. In accordance with the Resolution of the Council of Ministers of the USSR dated December 17, 1959, the Strategic Missile Forces were created as an independent type of armed forces. According to the Decree of the President of the Russian Federation dated December 10, 1995, this day is celebrated as an annual holiday - the Day of the Strategic Missile Forces. 12/31/1959 formed: Main Headquarters of the Missile Forces (see Headquarters of the Strategic Missile Forces), Central Command Post of the Strategic Missile Forces with a communications center and a computer center, Main Directorate of Missile Weapons (see Office of the Chief of Armaments of the Strategic Missile Forces), Directorate combat training of the Strategic Missile Forces, a number of other departments and services. The Strategic Missile Forces included: the Main Directorate of the Ministry of Defense, which was in charge of nuclear weapons; engineering formations previously subordinate to the Deputy Minister of Defense for Special Weapons and Jet Technology; missile regiments and control of 3 Air Force air divisions; arsenals of the Missile Forces, bases and warehouses of special weapons; Central missile repair plants. The Strategic Missile Forces also included research and testing centers: the 4th State Central Test Site of the Moscow Region (Kapustin Yar), created in 1946; 5th Research Test Site of the Ministry of Defense (Baikonur); separate scientific testing station (Klyuchi village on Kamchatka); testing center of the Ministry of Defense (lead in missile matters) - 4th Research Institute of the Ministry of Defense (see: Fourth Central Research Institute of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation, Bolshevo, Moscow region). In 1963, on the basis of the Angara facility, the 53rd Research Test Site for Missile and Space Weapons of the Ministry of Defense was established (Plesetsk). On June 22, 1960, the Military Council of the Strategic Missile Forces was created, which included M.I. Nedelin (chairman), members – V.A. Bolyatko, P.I. Efimov, M.A. Nikolsky, A.I. Semenov, V.F. Tolubko, F.P. Tonkikh, M.I. Ponomarev.
In 1960, the Regulations on combat duty of units and subunits of the Strategic Missile Forces were put into effect. In order to centralize the combat control of the Strategic Missile Forces, their structure includes bodies (see Military command and control bodies of the Strategic Missile Forces) and control points at strategic, operational and tactical levels, automated communication systems and automated control systems for troops and weapons have been introduced. In 1960-61, on the basis of long-range aviation air armies, missile armies were formed, which included RSD formations. The engineering brigades and regiments of the RVGK were reorganized into missile divisions and RSD missile brigades, and the directorates of artillery training ranges and ICBM brigades were reorganized into the directorates of missile corps and divisions. The main combat unit in an RSD formation was a missile division, and in an ICBM formation - a missile regiment. Until 1966, the intercontinental DBK R-16 and R-9A were put into service (general designers M.K. Yangel and S.P. Korolev). The RSD has formed subunits and units armed with the R-12U, R-14U missile launchers with group silo launchers (general designer M.K. Yangel). The first missile formations and units were staffed mainly by officers from the Navy, Air Force, artillery and tank forces. Their retraining for missile specialties was carried out at training centers at test sites, at industrial enterprises and at courses at military educational institutions.
In the 2nd half of the 50s. The first military formations for space purposes were created as part of the Rocket Forces, which in 1964 were united under the command of the Central Directorate of Space Facilities of the Ministry of Defense (TSUKOS MO). The organizational structure of space units included a test department, separate engineering test units (ET) and a measuring complex at the Baikonur test site, Scientific Testing Directorates and separate scientific measuring points of the Command and Measuring Complex Center. In 1970, TsUKOS MO was reorganized into the Main Directorate of Space Facilities (GUKOS MO). Work to create and improve space technology and coordinate the activities of space assets in the interests of all branches of the USSR Armed Forces was carried out directly under the leadership of the commanders-in-chief of the Strategic Missile Forces. In 1982, due to a significant increase in multifaceted tasks in space matters and an increased number of consumers of space research results, GUKOS and its subordinate units and institutions were withdrawn from the Strategic Missile Forces and subordinated directly to the USSR Ministry of Defense.
In 1965-73, the Strategic Missile Forces were equipped with 2nd generation ballistic missile missile systems RS-10 (1967), RS-12 (1967), R-36 (1968), dispersed over a large area (general designers M.K. Yangel, V.N. Chelomey ). In 1970, in order to improve troop leadership and increase the reliability of combat control, missile army directorates were created on the basis of the missile corps directorates. Formations and units with single silo launchers were capable of delivering a guaranteed retaliatory strike in any conditions at the start of the war. The 2nd generation missile launchers ensured remote launch of missiles in the shortest possible time, high hit accuracy and survivability of troops and weapons. The operating conditions for missile weapons have improved. In 1973-85, the Strategic Missile Forces adopted the stationary DBK RS-16, RS-20A, RS-20B and RS-18 (general designers V.F. Utkin and V.N. Chelomey) and the mobile ground DBK RSD-10 (“ Pioneer") (general designer A.D. Nadiradze), equipped with multiple individually targeted warheads. Missiles and control points for stationary ballistic missile systems were located in especially highly secure structures. The missiles use autonomous control systems from an on-board computer, providing remote re-aiming of the missiles before launch. In 1985-92, the Strategic Missile Forces were armed with ballistic missiles with RS-22 mine- and railway-based missiles (general designer V.F. Utkin) and modernized RS-20V mine-based and RS-12M (Topol) ground-based missiles (general designers V.F. Utkin and A.D. Nadiradze). These complexes have increased combat readiness, an extended period of autonomy, high survivability and resistance to the damaging factors of a nuclear explosion, and allow for rapid retargeting of missiles.
The quantitative and qualitative composition of nuclear weapons carriers and warheads of the Strategic Missile Forces, as well as other components of strategic nuclear forces, since 1972 is strictly limited by the maximum levels established by the Treaties between the USSR (RF) and the USA (see International treaties and agreements on the reduction and limitation of strategic offensive weapons ). In accordance with the Treaty between the USSR and the USA on the Elimination of Intermediate-Range and Shorter-Range Missiles (1987), RSDs and launchers for them were destroyed, including 72 RSD-10 (“Pioneer”) missiles - by launching from field combat launch positions in the areas of the city. Chita and Kansk.
The priority areas of the modern development of the Strategic Missile Forces are: maintaining the constant combat readiness of the existing group of forces, maximizing the extension of the operational life of missile systems, completing the development and deployment at the required pace of modern stationary and mobile-based Topol-M missile systems, further development of the combat command and control system for troops and weapons , creation of scientific and technical developments on promising models of weapons and equipment of the Strategic Missile Forces.
The Strategic Missile Forces continue to carry out combat missions of a strategic scale and nature in peacetime in the form of strategic nuclear deterrence (see Deterrent actions of the Strategic Missile Forces). As part of the duty forces of the Strategic Missile Forces, 6 thousand missile soldiers are on combat duty every day. The combat structure of the Strategic Missile Forces includes 3 missile army directorates with units and units of direct subordination, 12 missile divisions (including 4 stationary and 8 mobile based). They are armed with 398 launchers with stationary and mobile-based RS-18, RS-20B, RS-20V, RS-12M and RS-12M2 missiles.
Modern Strategic Missile Forces successfully carry out their intended tasks thanks to the state’s attention to improving the scientific, testing and production base of missile technology and weapons, training highly qualified missile personnel and creating the necessary conditions for them to carry out combat duty, as well as the creative use of 50 years of experience and traditions of the Missile Forces in increasing the combat readiness and combat capability of missile armies, divisions and regiments.
Leadership: Commanders-in-Chief of the Strategic Missile Forces - Chief Marshal of Artillery M.I. Nedelin (December 1959 – October 1960); Marshal of the Soviet Union K.S. Moskalenko (October 1960 – April 1962); Marshal of the Soviet Union S.S. Biryuzov (April 1962 – March 1963); Marshal of the Soviet Union N.I. Krylov (March 1963 – February 1972); General of the Army, since March 1983 Chief Marshal of Artillery V.F. Tolubko (April 1972 – July 1985); Army General Yu.P. Maksimov (July 1985 – August 1992); Colonel General, since June 1996 Army General I.D. Sergeev (August 1992 – May 1997); Colonel General, since June 2000 Army General V.N. Yakovlev (July 1997 - May 2001); Commander of the Strategic Missile Forces - Colonel General N.E. Solovtsov (since June 2001);
bosses Political Department Strategic Missile Forces - Aviation Lieutenant General I.A. Lavrenov (May 1963 – December 1966); Colonel General N.V. Egorov (April 1967 – May 1970); Lieutenant General, since December 1972 Colonel General P.A. Gorchakov (August 1970 – December 1985); Colonel General V.S. Rodin (December 1985 – April 1991);
Chiefs of the Main Staff of the Strategic Missile Forces - Lieutenant General of Artillery, since May 1961 Colonel General of Artillery. Nikolsky M.A (May 1960 – December 1962); Lieutenant General of Aviation Lovkov M.A. (December 1962 – June 1966); Lieutenant General, since October 1967 Colonel General Shevtsov A.G. (June 1966 – September 1976); Colonel General Vishenkov V.M. (September 1976 – July 1987); Lieutenant General, since February 1988 Colonel General S.G. Kochemasov (July 1987 – September 1994); Lieutenant General, since December 1994 Colonel General V.I. Esin (November 1994 – December 1996); Lieutenant General, since February 1997 Colonel General Yakovlev V.N. (December 1996 – July 1997); Lieutenant General, since June 1998 Colonel General Perminov A.N. (September 1997 – May 2001); Chief of Staff of the Strategic Missile Forces - Lieutenant General S.V. Khutortsev (June 2001 – June 2006); Lieutenant General Shvaichenko A.A. (since June 2006).
Indices and names of intercontinental ballistic missiles, medium- and short-range missiles of the USSR (RF)
Domestic name Code name name Operational combat index Technology index Under the SALT, START, INF treaties
The Missile Forces in Russia are almost the youngest branch of the military in the state, which was created in the middle of the last century. But during this time they have become a real shield of our Motherland from the encroachment of the enemy, as well as a sword that is still in its sheath, but at any moment can be picked up to protect the people of Russia and territorial integrity states.
Russian Missile Forces: the shield and sword of our Motherland
It is difficult to overestimate the role of this type of troops. The missile forces are a component of the country's nuclear forces and a separate type of military force. The accumulation of nuclear potential in its time by the USSR could lead to a third world war in which humanity would perish. But it should be noted that the presence of powerful weapons, including mobile systems, has become a deterrent to aggression, preventing a potential enemy from striking our country, including a nuclear one.
The missile forces today are entrusted with the following tasks:
- Inflicting, independently or as part of nuclear forces, a massive, group or single strike using nuclear missile weapons against strategic targets, which represent the basis of the enemy’s military and military-economic potential, in several or one strategic direction.
- Nuclear deterrence.
Today, silo-based and mobile intercontinental ballistic missiles with nuclear warheads are the main weapons of Russian missile forces.
History of Russian missile forces
Even during World War II, the United States began to develop a secret nuclear program, which was a response to intelligence received that clearly showed that Germany was rapidly moving towards weapons of mass destruction based on the principle of thermonuclear reaction. Many German researchers in this field who disagreed with Adolf Hitler's regime immigrated to the United States, bringing their knowledge to the development of the Manhattan Project.
* The Manhattan Project is a secret project of the US Armed Forces to create nuclear weapons, which was launched in September 1943.
After Hitler's Germany and its satellites were defeated, the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics became enemy No. 1 for “democratic values.” In the United States, starting in 1945, plans were made for an attack on the “Red Empire” using nuclear weapons. In total, it was planned to drop more than 300 atomic bombs on the country's cities, which were supposed to destroy most of the industry, demoralize the Soviet troops and population, and completely decapitate the country and the army. Civilian deaths were not counted.
But thanks to Soviet scientists, as well as powerful Soviet intelligence By 1949, the first tests of the atomic bomb were carried out. Which seriously undermined the Americans’ plans to defeat the main enemy in 30 days, without serious retaliatory measures on his part. Therefore, instead of capturing the USSR, the former allies began to prepare to repel a nuclear attack by the Soviet Union on the United States. Since 1945, the Pentagon has annually developed plans for waging a war with the active use of atomic bombings. And after successful tests of similar weapons in the USSR (the Americans predicted their creation only by the end of the 1950s), the last date for the most advantageous strike on Soviet territory was 1954, until the enemy had time to build up the proper nuclear potential. But US President Eisenhower, the only person with the right to press the button, did not do this, judging correctly that “there are not enough bulldozers in the United States to remove all the corpses from the streets as a result of the war.” True, he did not abandon plans to build up nuclear potential.
The leadership of the Soviet Union was not going to stand by while a potential enemy built up its offensive weapons, which could be directed against the Soviet people at any moment when political and diplomatic dialogues ceased to be effective.
And in 1945, the first missile unit was created, stationed in Western Europe 72nd Special Purpose Engineer Brigade. At that time, the secret units were armed with ballistic missiles with conventional warheads. Soon the unit was transferred to the Kaliningrad region. By 1950, another secret unit was created. By the end of the 1950s, missile units nuclear weapons appeared, and in 1959 the first intercontinental ballistic missile (training) was launched near Plesetsk. December 17, 1959 is considered the date of birth of the missile forces, when the Missile Forces were separated into a separate branch. The command was entrusted to General M.I. Nedelin. who contributed to the development of new troops
After the Cuban Missile Crisis between the USSR and the USA in 1962, growth from the strategic offensive arms race was limited. In 1987 they signed international treaties USSR, according to which the countries participating in the treaty were supposed to gradually reduce not only strategic missiles, but also short- and medium-range missiles that hit targets.
The international obligations assumed by Russia after the signing of START-1 in 1991 and START-2 in 1993 (a treaty with the United States of America on the reduction of strategic offensive weapons) led to the fact that nuclear arsenal our state has decreased significantly. Among other things, the most important strike weapon of the missile forces - missiles whose warheads could be separated - was withdrawn from service and later completely eliminated.
In 1995, in accordance with the Decree of the President of the Russian Federation, the day of the Missile Forces and Artillery was established to be celebrated on November 19. The date was chosen in honor of the anniversary of the victory of Soviet troops at Stalingrad, where artillery played a significant role in the overall outcome of the battle. In 2001, the Space Forces were withdrawn from the Strategic Missile Forces, becoming the youngest troops in the Russian Armed Forces.
Structure of the Strategic Missile Forces (Strategic Missile Forces)
The troops that constitute the ground component of the nuclear forces still have an army-divisional structure. In other branches of the military, such a structure has already been partially or completely abolished. At the moment, the strategic missile forces consist of 3 missile armies: the 31st and 27th Guards, the 31st, which is planned to be disbanded in the plans of the Ministry of Defense. The 3 armies organizationally include 12 missile divisions, including 5 guards divisions.
Strategic Missile Forces leadership
The first commander of the Rocket Forces was Marshal of Artillery M.I. Nedelin. from 1955 to 1960, until his tragic death at the Baikonur Cosmodrome. Of the Russian generals, the greatest career heights were achieved by I.D. Sergeev, who commanded the Strategic Missile Forces from 1992 to 1997, received the rank of army general and subsequently became the Minister of Defense of the Russian Federation. Since 2010, Colonel General S.V. Karakaev has been appointed the country's chief rocket scientist.
Composition and strength of the Strategic Missile Forces
The Rocket Forces of the Russian Federation includes a command, located in the village of Vlasikha, 3 missile armies, 12 missile divisions. Also, the strategic missile forces include the Kapustin Yar State Test Site, the Test Site on the territory of Kazakhstan, the Separate Scientific Testing Station in Kamchatka, the Peter the Great Military Academy in Moscow, the Research Institute and the Serpukhov Military Institute of Missile Forces. In addition, repair plants and arsenals, a storage base for weapons and equipment are an integral part of the Missile Forces. Today the number of troops is 120 thousand people, a third of which are civilians.
Development prospects
Video presentation of the Russian Strategic Missile Forces:
If we take into account weapons, then more than 70% of intercontinental ballistic missiles have simply exhausted their service life. In addition, most of the mobile missile systems based on railway trains, which received the NATO Stiletto classification, have been dismantled. It is also worth noting that Russia cannot partially cover the Atlantic and Pacific oceans.
At the same time at Krasnodar Territory, the Kaliningrad and Leningrad regions put into operation the latest missile attack warning stations. Four military satellites were launched into Earth orbit and became a key element of the Oko early warning system.
As the latest data show, today the total number of missile systems and missiles with nuclear warheads is not decreasing. They are being purposefully replaced with the latest developments, including the Topol-M and Yars mobile systems.
The most modern equipment that enters the Strategic Missile Forces requires qualified personnel. This task has been assigned to the Higher Educational Institution and military registration and enlistment offices. For example, when recruiting military personnel of the lower army ranks and junior command staff attention is paid to their education. Preference is given to those who have graduated from higher educational institutions with a technical background.
