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The 'RT-2UTTKh «Topol-M»' () is one of the most recent intercontinental ballistic missiles to be deployed by Russia (see RS-24), and the first to be developed after the dissolution of the Soviet Union. In its Russian designation 'РТ' stands for "ракета твердотопливная" ("solid fuel rocket"), while 'УТТХ' - for "улучшенные тактико-технические характеристики" ("improved tactical and technical characteristics"). It has been assigned the NATO reporting name 'SS-27'. "Topol" (тополь) in Russian means "poplar". It is designed and produced exclusively by the Moscow Institute of Thermal Technology, and built at the Votkinsk Machine Building Plant.

Contents

Characteristics and deployment

Development

Equipment of Topol-M with MIRV

Operator

See also

References

External links

Characteristics and deployment

The current Topol-M ICBMs are 22.7 m (74.47 ft) in length and have a diameter of 1.95 m (6.4 ft). The mass at launch is 47,200 kg (104,000 lb). This figure includes its 1000 ~ 1200 kilogram payload. It carries a single warhead with a 550 kT yield, but could be modified to carry up to six warheads. Part of the Russian launchers will be upgraded starting in 2007 [1]. Its range is estimated to be 11,000 km (6,900 mi). It has three solid rocket stages with inertial, autonomous flight control.
The development began in the late 1980s, and the missile was redesigned in 1992. The first flight test took place on December 20, 1994, and first deployment occurred in December of 1997 in modified SS-19 silos. First silo-based regiment was declared operational in 1998, followed by three others in 1999, 2000, and 2003.
The Topol-M may be deployed either inside a reinforced missile silo or from a self-propelled mobile launcher, capable of moving through roadless terrain, and launching a missile from any point along its route.
As of December 2005, 42 have been deployed (69 are planned for purchase to 2015 [2]).
December 12, 2006 Topol-M missiles entered duty with a missile unit stationed near the town of Teikovo, the agency ITAR TASS quoted Strategic Missile Forces spokesman Col. Alexander Vovk
Russian Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov had said earlier this year that Russia's Strategic Missile Forces would get 69 Topol-M missiles by 2015; Russia so far has deployed about 40 silo-based Topol-Ms

Development

There has been work on new propulsion systems for the Topol-M which may enable it to evade an anti-ballistic missile.
The missile is designed to be immune to any planned US ABM defense. It is capable of making evasive maneuvers to avoid a kill by terminal phase interceptors, and carries targeting countermeasures and decoys. It is shielded against radiation, EMP, nuclear blasts in distances less than 500 meters, and is designed to survive a hit from any laser technology.
Yuri Solomonov, the General Designer of the Moscow Institute of Thermal Technology, reportedly stated that a test of the new propulsion system resulted in the warhead payload burning up on reentry over the Svobodny launch site; it is unclear if this is due to the new engine design or other problems with the missile.
According to ''The Washington Times'', Russia conducted a successful test of their evasive payload delivery system. [3] The missile was launched on November 1, 2005 from the Kapustin Yar facility. The warhead changed course after separating from the launcher, making it difficult to predict a re-entry trajectory.
A submarine-launched version is being developed under the code name ''Bulava'', or the NATO reporting name SS-NX-30.

Equipment of Topol-M with MIRV

On December 15 2006 Moscow reported that the Topol-M soon would be re-equipped with multiple re-entry vehicles. Later the Russian Colonel-General Nikolai Solovtsov said: "We will begin to equip the Topol-M mobile missile system with multiple re-entry vehicles in a few years."
The RS-24 may be a MIRVed Topol.

Operator

★ Russia will be the only operator of the SS-27 for the Strategic Rocket Forces.

See also

★ List of missiles

★ Bulava (missile) - the submarine-based version of the Topol M

References

1. http://www.fas.org/nuke/guide/russia/icbm/rt-2pmu.htm
2. http://www.fas.org/nuke/guide/russia/icbm/rt-2pmu.htm
3. http://www.fas.org/nuke/guide/russia/icbm/rt-2pmu.htm
4. http://www.fas.org/nuke/guide/russia/icbm/rt-2pmu.htm
5. http://www.fas.org/nuke/guide/russia/icbm/rt-2pmu.htm
6. http://www.fas.org/nuke/guide/russia/icbm/rt-2pmu.htm
7. http://www.aeronautics.ru/archive/wmd/ballistic/ballistic/ss27-01.htm

External links

★ Russia to Deploys fixed site Topol

★ Russia Deploys new ICBM regiment

★ TOPOL M pictures - RIA NOVOSTI

★ Russian Strategic Nuclear Forces Webpage

★ Federation of American Scientists

★ Missile Threat page

★ picture

★ GlobalSecurity.org on the RT-2UTTH Topol-M (SS-27)

★ Russia Breaks US Missile Defense

★ Extract from April 2006 article on Russian nuclear deterrent

★ Russian ICBMs by generation