SvenSvensonov
PROFESSIONAL
- Joined
- Oct 15, 2014
- Messages
- 1,617
- Reaction score
- 207
- Country
- Location
The giant TOPOL-M road-mobile intercontinental ballistic missile is one frightening creation of mankind. It can hide in cities, forests, or even nuclear-attack hardened bunkers. It'll travel at over 15,000 MPH while taking evasive action and pumping out decoys on the way to its target.
Embedded media from this media site is no longer available
TOPOL-M, known by NATO as the 'Sickle-B,' was the first ICBM created by Russia after the fall of the Soviet Union. Topol in Russian is the name for the White Poplar tree, which is very similar to the Aspen tree in North America.
First fielded in 1997 as an upgrade of the first generation TOPOL, this new system was originally designed in the 1980s, and then redesigned in the mid-1990s, with America's push for a ballistic missile defense shield in mind. Since its introduction, there have been about 80 TOPOL-Ms put into service, with close to a third of those being road-mobile versions and the rest being placed in highly fortified concrete silos. Another 170 older generation road-mobile TOPOL missiles remain in service to bolster the more modern TOPOL-M road-mobile fleet.
The TOPOL-M missile was designed to penetrate an American anti-ballistic missile shield by leveraging high-speed, a relatively small infrared signature during its boost phase, advanced decoys (as many as ten carried on a single missile), maneuvering mid-course capability, and maneuvering independently targeted reentry vehicles, of which it can carry up to six, although they are said to carry just one operationally.
The missile's high speed shortens the time anyone can react to it, and every second matters when it comes to ballistic missile defense. The rocket motors were designed for a short, very powerful boost stage so that American space-based infrared detection satellites (SBIRS, DSP) have less time to detect and track it. Its decoys make it hard for radar to adequately track the correct target, and its countermeasures are said to have been upgraded to fool infrared tracking systems, which are use for mid-course interception. The missile and reentry vehicles' ability to dynamically maneuver outside of their ballistic track makes producing an effective kill solution, or even predicting the TOPOL-M's target, problematic. All these features come together to make a missile that is probably outside of America's missile defense capabilities today, and the sheer number of them that exists makes the idea of defending against anything but a limited barrage totally invalid.
The missile itself is close to seventy feet long, made mainly out of carbon fiber and weighs just over 100,000lbs at launch. It can reach out to about 6,500 miles. Its three stages are solid fueled, so it can be ready to launch at a moments notice, and can remain ready to fire for long periods of time.
The TOPOL-M is so powerful that it can also be used to put up to medium-sized satellites into low-earth orbit as its payload for ICBM operations can be as heavy as 2650lbs, although it usually carriers a single 800 kiloton thermonuclear warhead. It is guided by an on-board inertial navigation system that is coupled with a GLONASS (Russian GPS) interface, giving the giant rocket a circular error probability (CEP) of around 600 feet, which is more than accurate enough for an ICBM.
Not only is the road-mobile TOPOL-M hard to hit once it is in the air, or at the edge of space for that matter, it is also very hard to find on the ground as they can hide pretty much anywhere. Its transporter-erector-launcher (TEL) is built in Belarus by heavy military vehicle makers MZKT, features sixteen wheels, and the front and rear pair of axles have independent steering, which is absolutely necessary for navigating the massive TEL on roads that were never built for something its size.
The MZKT-79221 is actually fairly capable off-road, and during a time of deployed operations that is where these vehicles end up, basically where you would not expect them to be. Forging streams, rumbling down muddy alpine tails and traversing dense snow are all within the TOPOL-M TEL's operating abilities. The missile and the TEL are also accompanied by a command and support vehicle, and in some cases a similar long-range communications vehicle for over the horizon connectivity.
Whereas America has its nuclear 'trident' consisting of silo-based, submarine-based and air-launched nuclear weapons, Russia has a four pronged approach with its road-mobile ICBMs that operate in a similar fashion to SSBN submarines. By dispersing a portion of its land-based nuclear arsenal throughout its great wilderness, Russia makes it very hard for the US to hit all of its nuclear emplacements during a 'first strike' scenario. This greatly enhances Russia's land-based nuclear arsenal's deterrence factor. Just the threat of a second-strike ability, not just from Russia's SSBN submarine force that America works very hard to track, but from road-mobile ICBMs, and very capable ones at that, makes Mutually Assured Destruction (MAD) a continuing reality.
The TOPOL-M is now out of production, and in its place is an improved missile that carries 'at least' four MIRVs. This new system is known as the RS-24 'Yars' and features an even higher speed than the TOPOL-M, and has a smaller CEP of only about 150 feet. More advanced decoys and countermeasures are also said to be fielded with this new missile, as well as enhanced mid-course and terminal phase maneuvering, all of which were developed specifically to counter anti-ballistic missile defense systems that have become operational in the US and that will soon be operational in Europe.
Russia is also working on deploying the RS-24 on trains as well as road-mobile TELs, something it stopped doing under the START II treaty by the end of the last decade. The new START III treaty, signed in 2011, does not limit train-based ICBMs, thus Russia is quickly developing such a system.
So sleep tight knowing there are hundreds of TOPOLs, TOPOL-Ms, and now RS-24s, prowling the Russian countryside, and soon to be clacking along Russia's never-ending railways as well, just waiting for the order to end the world as we know it.
Roots of the program
The development of the Topol-M was initiated around 1989. Logically, but somewhat unusual for the Soviet rocket industry, the effort was divided between two prime developers -- KB Yuzhnoe, the manufacturer of heavy ICBMs and Moscow Institute of Thermal Technology, MIT, long specialized in mobile missiles.
Technical description
The Topol-M was conceived as a three-stage solid-propellant ICBM with a single nuclear warhead in compliance with US-Russian arms control treaties. (There were reports, that the original design of the Topol-M envisioned three warheads, and the missile still could be theoretically upgraded for multiple warhead, MIRV, capability in case of US-Russian agreements unravel.
First three booster stages of the missile burned solid propellants. In the initial phase of the project, KB Yuzhnoe was developing a 4th stage burning one-component liquid-propellant. It was specifically designed to carry a "package" of unguided warhead along with decoys intended to confuse enemy's missile defenses. In parallel, MIT was developing the 4th stage with solid-propellant designed to carry a single warhead without decoys.
The 3rd stage of the missile was housed inside a special cylindrical adapter, connecting the 2nd stage with the warhead section. Such design intended to provide additional protection for the propulsion system of the 3rd stage from nuclear blast. (Developers apparently believed that the missile would be most vulnerable to nuclear-tipped interceptors during boost phase of the 2nd stage.)
At the end of its nominal powered flight, the 3rd stage was programmed to turn around about 180 degrees and fire in opposite direction until full consumption of its propellant. Such maneuver would allow to minimize velocity differences accrued by the end of the flight.
The missile was specifically designed to fly a trajectory with shorter and lower boost phase, again aiming to reduce its vulnerability to prospective missile defense systems.
Both, mobile and silo-based versions of the missile would take off using so-called "kholodnyi start" or "cold launch," where a special booster, known as PAD, would be used to push the rocket out of its storage container, allowing the 1st stage to fire in midair. The rocket would be stored in the launch container from the time of its rollout from the assembly line and until the end of its service life.
During the flight, the rocket would be guided to its target by the inertial control system with the onboard computer.
Silo-based launch complex
The stationary deployment site for the Topol-M missile was designed to include 10 isolated silos, known as OS, and originally designed for R-36Mand UR-100N missiles. Official Russian sources stated that the most expensive elements of the silos, such as protective covers and control systems would be retained without significant changes. The Topol-M would also use existing launch control and communications infrastructure.
Silos would protect launch containers with missiles and flight control antennas. Each site would also feature underground command and control bunker, security, power supply and nuclear blast detection systems. Apparently, provisions were made for deployment of antimissile systems around launch sites and flight control facilities. Along with high survivability in a nuclear war, the launch complex was also expected to withstand strikes by high-precision conventional weapons.
Mobile launch complex
The mobile version of the Topol-M would be deployed on a 16-wheel, computer-controlled MZKT-79221 transporter powered by a 710-horse power diesel engine.
Maintenance
The missiles were designed to require only minimum maintenance at the deployment site, except for the warhead, which could be serviced periodically along with systems of the launch complex.
During nominal maintenance the warhead can be replaced, the missile and its warhead can be transported separately in special tracks equipped with climate controlled containers. The missile with its container could be loaded into the silo without the assistance of a crane.
Major systems of the rocket can be diagnosed remotely, its avionics can be calibrated at the launch site and its flight control system switched between "permanent" and "high" levels of readiness.
Development
KB Yuzhnoe in Dnepropetrovsk, started active development of a silo-based version of the Topol-M around 1989. The first flight-worthy missile had been manufactured during 1991 and its inaugural test launch was scheduled for February 15, 1992.
However in December 1991 the Soviet Union officially ceased to exist and KB Yuzhnoe located in the Ukrainian city of Dnepropetrovsk overnight became a foreign entity. As a result, the Russian government decided to consolidate the development of the Topol inside Russia, along with a few other rocket and space projects. Ultimately, the Topol-M survived as Russia's only effort to develop a new land-based ICBM at the turn of the 21st century.
In February 1993, back in Russia President Yeltsin signed a decree No. 275, making Moscow-based MIT a sole prime-contractor in the development of the Topol-M. On January 14, 1995, KB Yuzhnoe transferred the first flight version of the Topol-M rocket to the Russian Federation.
A pricetag for the development of the Topol-M system from its preliminary design to the first test launch reportedly reached 142.8 billion rubles (in prices of 1992).
Test flights
After the upgrade of existing silo facilities in Plesetsk, the first launch of the Topol-M ICBM was conducted on December 20, 1994. At the time, levels of funding only allowed production of four missiles per year, according to Russian officials.
Putin's remarks in November 2004, apparently referred to a new type of maneuverable warhead for the Topol-M. Despite such high-profile statements, many observers were skeptical about prospects of such system.
Deployment of silo-based Topol-M missiles
On December 27, 1998, after five successful and one failed launch from Plesetsk, the first unit of the Russian Strategic Missile Forces armed with silo-based Topol-M was declared operational in Tatishevo, Saratov region. At the time, Colonel General Vladimir Yakovlev, head of the Russian Strategic Rocket Forces, promised to deploy 20 - 30 Topol-Ms annually during next three years and 30 - 40 missiles annually during the following three years. At such pace, Russia would deploy between 250 and 340 missiles by 2007. However the reality was nowhere near this rate.
The second regiment of the Topol-M missiles was deployed in 1999 and the third in 2000, however the fourth unit would not enter service until December 21, 2003. The unit apparently entered service with six missiles, while four remaining missiles were declared operation in December 2004. As result, by the end of 2004, four Topol-M regiments with a total of 40 missiles were in service.
In February 2005, the official Russian media reported that Russian forces would receive between three and nine launchers a year.
Deployment of mobile Topol-M missiles
In December 2004, the Russian government sources promised to fund the deployment three or four of the mobile Topol-M missiles during 2005, however in 2005 it became clear that the first mobile Topol-Ms will not be deployed until at least 2006. However the State Program of Armaments, GPV-2015, adopted in 2006, called for the procurement of 17 Topol-M missiles, including both, mobile and silo-based systems.
In June 2008, speaking at the graduation of Peter the Great Strategic Missile Forces Academy, the RVSN commander Nikolai Solovtsov said that nine mobile and two stationary Topol rockets would be operationally deployed during that year. Solovtsov also promised a brand new missile system in several years. Solovtsov also added that currently Russian spending for strategic missiles does not exceed four percent of the nation's total defense budget.
Mystery of maneuverable warhead
According to an article published in Washington Times, sometimes in the middle of July 2001, Russia conducted an unannounced test of a new scramjet-powered missile, which, reportedly was tracked by US radar, as it hit an impact range at Kamchatka Peninsula (apparently Kura range). The newspaper claimed that the missile was launched on top of the SS-25 (Topol) ICBM and after reaching the apogee of its trajectory separated from the booster stage reentered the atmosphere and continued flying toward the target. According to the newspaper, the launch took place in "central Russia," which is probably Plesetsk.
The Washington Times report apparently reached Russia in misinterpreted form, so when asked if Russia had conducted any new ICBM tests, the representative of the Russian Strategic Missile Forces said that no new ICBMs had been tested recently.
In the meantime, in the August 2001, at the MAKS air and space show in Moscow, the Flight Research Institute, LII, based in Zhukovskiy, displayed a full-scale mockup of the winged HFL-VK experimental vehicle designed for test flights at hypersonic speeds. Launched by a Rockot booster, a scramjet-powered unmanned craft would reach a speed of 8-14 Mach (1 Mach is equal to the speed of sound) and fly at the an altitude of up to 100 kilometers -- faster and higher then most experimental vehicles in development around the world at the time. The HFL-VK is 8 meters long, has a wing span of 3.6 meters and a weight of 2,200 kilograms.
After launch from Plesetsk onboard the Rockot, the HFL-VK plane was expected to land with a parachute in the Russian Far East.
The program is partially financed by the Russian Aviation and Space Agency, Rosaviacosmos, however, according to LII representatives, the funds were insufficient for active development. It was unclear, if the program had any connection to the development of the ramjet-powered warhead for the Topol-M.
Three years later, in the course of Security 2004 exercise, Russia conducted multiple launches of ballistic missiles including one of the RT-2PM Topol and UR-100UTTKh missiles, fired on February 18, 2004. In apparent reference to the Topol launch, Colonel-General Yury Baluyevsky, First Deputy Chief of the General Staff, told reporters on February 19 that Russia had tested a highly maneuverable vehicle, potentially capable of penetrating antimissile defenses.
According to independent Russian sources, the Topol was carrying an experimental warhead equipped with its own rocket thrusters and, possibly, with some sort of air-breathing engine. Such a propulsion system reportedly enables the vehicle to conduct multiple entries into the Earth atmosphere (like a stone ricocheting at the surface of water) and/or enables a powered flight in the atmosphere. Maneuverability of the warhead, along with a lower then traditional trajectory, reportedly makes it more difficult for a potential missile-defense system to track and intercept an incoming reentry vehicle.
The Topol was originally designed to carry three warheads, however it was "downgraded" to a single-warhead vehicle to comply with arms-controls treaties. As a result the vehicle obtained extra payload capacity, which allowed the integration of propulsion systems for the new type of warhead. One of the previous tests of the system apparently took place in mid-July 2001.
Other Russian sources claimed that an experimental warhead flew on top of a UR-100NU rocket, while the Topol conducted a routine training/test flight.
On November 17, 2004, an ambiguous statement by Russian President Vladimir Putin about soon to be deployed new Russian missiles with unmatched capabilities made headlines in the West. Although many dismissed the speech as public relations stunt aimed to cover up a sorry state of affairs in the Russian armed forces, some observers linked Putin's statements to the developed of the maneuverable warhead.
Specifications
Weight 47,200 kg (104,000 lb)
Length 22.7 m (74.47 ft)
Diameter 1.9 m (6 ft 3 in)
Warhead Single 800 kt warhead
Engine Three-stage solid propellant
Operational
range
11,000 km (6,800 mi)
Speed 7,320 m/s.[2]
Guidance
system
Inertial with GLONASS
Accuracy 200 m CEP
Launch
platform
Silo, road-mobile TEL
