Let's say rockets are launched from the American continent, with an interval of several seconds. After 3-4 minutes, the duty early warning officer receives a signal about a missile attack. After another 2-3 minutes, the message reaches the country's leadership, and it begins to think. In the best case, 10-13 minutes after the start, a command comes to the Topol to launch the rockets - they leave the garages, or stop at given point route, and begin to turn around (they lower the supports, raise the tractor, raise the rockets, calculate the coordinates and enter them into the computer).
Until all the calculations do this, it will take 8 minutes at best. And so, 20 minutes passed, the first launches began.
In 25-30 minutes, almost all installations can be fired, the last missiles that have taken off can be destroyed by the explosions of American 500-kiloton warheads.
But this, mind you, is in the best case - with a fully functioning early warning system, with communication systems (which can be disabled in advance by groups of saboteurs), the presence of decisive people in the country's leadership, and also the launch of missiles from American territory, and not from somewhere in Europe , Turkey, Middle or Central Asia, from submarines in the Quiet or Northern Arctic Ocean, Mediterranean Sea, or from the Persian Gulf. The approach time in this case is reduced to ...8 minutes.
If any of these conditions are not met, the Topols will be spotted from satellites and simply shot.
American satellites could already track some trains in the 80s nuclear missiles, which from above are indistinguishable from dozens of trains passing next to them. What can we say now, 20 years later, after the scientific and technological revolution that took place in the military sphere... In 5 years, their capabilities will increase significantly.
The Spot radar reconnaissance satellite can distinguish an object on the ground up to 10 meters in size; the VEGA series Lacrosse, worth half a billion dollars, is already up to 1 meter. He can distinguish a tank from an infantry fighting vehicle, not to mention a Topol tractor measuring 25 meters long and 5 meters wide. These satellites are not hindered by night, fog, or a thick layer of clouds - using a giant radar antenna, they are able to identify enemy objects, even if they are camouflaged, covered with snow or sand, hidden by foliage, an artificial smoke screen or a tarpaulin. A less expensive Discover-2, capable of obtaining three-dimensional radar images, is currently being developed. earth's surface with a resolution of 0.3 m and select moving targets. By 2010, the United States intends to launch 24 such satellites into space, which will have to fly over any point on Earth every 15 minutes. The detection task can also be solved by optical-electronic reconnaissance satellites such as KN11 and KN12 (15 cm), geological satellites Landsat-7 (15 m), mapping satellites Quick Bird-2 (0.6 m), hyperspectral imaging satellites MightySat II (under the Warfighter-1 program, it is planned to create and deploy a space constellation based on these satellites by 2010) (see 1).
Already, the Americans are already receiving information around the clock from the Topol base sites (the hangars themselves, and a network of roads made of concrete slabs).
If you keep the Topols where they are currently located, then they can be destroyed right in their parking lots or cruising areas, even if they are moving.
Calculate for yourself: the radius of destruction (see 2) for a 500-kt warhead is 3.6 kilometers (a shock wave of 40 kPa, necessary for the partial destruction of objects such as buildings, “Topols”), for a 100-kt warhead - 2.2 kilometers . This means that, in principle, “Topol”, moving at its speed of 45 km/h, can escape danger zone destruction in 5 minutes or 3 minutes, respectively.
From the missile “overturning” zone with a shock wave of 20 kPa (for a 500-kt it is 6 km, for a 100-kt it is 4 km) – 8 minutes and 5 minutes.
From the affected area (see 3) by radiation of a practically unprotected “Topol”, the crew of which will not be able to complete the task if exposed to more than 5000 roentgens/h, the “Topol” must leave - with an explosion of 500 kt (radius - 13 km) 17 minutes, at 100 ct - 7 minutes.
But you can hit several warheads in a “volley”, trapping the mobile complex (especially dangerous in this regard are Ohio-class submarines carrying 24 modernized Trident II D5 missiles, on which 14 warheads are installed, with a hit accuracy of 100).
To get away from all these damaging factors you need a speed of more than 400 km/h.
If you use them not as now, but for their intended purpose - constantly moving across fields, forests, roads, steppes, then the possibility of their detection by American satellites will not decrease much, but the problem of militants or saboteurs with grenade launchers or Stingers using modern communications will increase and satellite navigation systems (in fact, at night they can sneak into the bases themselves). They will be able to destroy Topol complexes while still on the ground, or shoot down launching MANPADS missiles with infrared homing heads (after all, the thermal “torch” of a missile is much larger than that of an airplane, and it flies more slowly and does not maneuver).
When conducting conventional combat operations, "Topol" cannot be compared at all with a mine capable of withstanding close nuclear explosion! After all, the Topol tractor can be destroyed by any low-power bomb that exploded nearby, or by any missile. "Topol" can be stopped even with a landmine, and its crew can be shot with large-caliber sniper rifles.

Now this is - detectable and vulnerable to all damaging factors, slow to deploy.

Conclusion: the Topol mobile systems complemented the Soviet nuclear arsenals well, but now the very idea of ​​the Topol, according to which “unlike a mine, you cannot shoot in advance,” put forward in the early 80s, is outdated. Its “stealth advantages” are offset by the appearance of modern radar reconnaissance satellites in orbit in the early 90s (i.e., this must be taken for granted). The placement of intercontinental missiles on a mobile chassis must be considered inappropriate, since in the event of a real military conflict, for which they are actually made, modern conditions a very small percentage of such complexes will be able to complete a combat mission. This complex cannot fully fulfill the task of a retaliatory strike (as warned by early warning systems), and is not at all capable of delivering a retaliatory strike.
Placing the main emphasis on these complexes means tempting the enemy to strike the first “disarming” blow.

We were told many times that other states do not have such complexes - that’s why they don’t...
And in the States they understand this very well, and write in articles like " The rise of..." Foreign Affairs.

And in addition... A few quotes about the missile attack warning system (see 4):

As of May 2006, three satellites operate as part of the space echelon of the missile attack early warning system: one geostationary (Cosmos-2379) and two satellites in highly elliptical orbits (Cosmos-2388 and Cosmos-2393).
Satellites Kosmos-2388 (VEO, launched 04/01/02, NORAD catalog number 27409) and Kosmos-2393 (VEO, 12/24/02, 27613) - ... are designed to detect ballistic missile launches from the United States and cannot detect launches of sea-based missiles...Kosmos-2379 (GSO, 08/24/01, 26892), located in geostationary orbit...was developed for the US-KMO system, which should provide global coverage of all missile-hazardous areas. This system has not yet been deployed.
(Center for the Study of Disarmament Problems at MIPT Early warning systems and defense - Strategic nuclear weapons of Russia)

The Washington Post published two articles by David Hoffman on February 10, 1999, on the condition Russian system missile attack warnings (MAWS). In particular, the author of the article referred to Pavel Podvig, a research fellow at our Center: “...Only three satellites continue to operate... Every 24 hours, a system of satellites in highly elliptical orbits is “blind” for two periods, the duration of which is six and one hour respectively...".

The “hole” in observation today totals about 9 (!) hours a day. She moves depending on the time of year. For example, our military does not see American missile bases on the continent during the day, and in winter they will not be able to control them at night... There are only three satellites left in orbit." (Maria Kudryavtseva, Novye Izvestia, June 29, 1999, pp. 1-2 )

"...Major General V.Z. Dvorkin commented on the information published in the Washington Post newspaper, but refused to talk about the existing capabilities of the Russian early warning system to register missile launches: "...Speak now or confirm how many hours we see or do not see , I just can’t, because it’s a state secret. If I tell you whether these numbers are good or bad, then you will have my next interview behind bars." (NTV News, edition 22:00, February 10, 1999)

“At present, Russia simply will not see the launch of Trident missiles from submarines located in the Atlantic or Pacific Ocean. Much the same can be said for the Minuteman and MX missiles launched from bases in the continental United States." - False Alarm, Nuclear Danger (by Geoffrey Forden, Pavel Podvig and Theodore A. Postol, IEEE Spectrum, March 2000, V37 , N 3.).

RT-2PM2 "Topol-M" (US and NATO classification - SS-27 Sickle) - Russian missile system strategic purpose from intercontinental ballistic missile 15Zh65, developed in the late 1980s - early 1990s on the basis of the RT-2PM Topol complex. The first ICBM developed in the Russian Federation after the collapse of the USSR.

The 15Zh65 rocket of the RT-2PM2 complex is solid-fuel, three-stage. Maximum range - 11,000 km. Carries one thermonuclear warhead with a power of 550 kt. Based both in silos and on mobile launchers.

The silo-based version was put into service in 2000. Over the next decade, Topol-M may become the basis of the armament of the Russian Strategic Missile Forces.

History of creation

Work on creating the rocket began in the late 1980s. The resolution of the Military-Industrial Commission of September 9, 1989 ordered the creation of two missile systems (stationary and mobile) and a universal solid-fuel three-stage intercontinental ballistic missile for them on the basis of the RT-2PM complex. The development program was named “Universal”, the complex being developed was designated RT-2PM2, the rocket was assigned the index 15Zh65. The development of the complex was carried out jointly by the Moscow Institute of Thermal Engineering and the Dnepropetrovsk Yuzhnoye Design Bureau.

In March 1992, it was decided to develop the Topol-M complex based on developments under the Universal program (in April, Yuzhnoye ceased its participation in work on the complex). By decree of Boris Yeltsin of February 27, 1993, MIT became the lead enterprise for the development of Topol-M. The control system was developed at NPO Automation and Instrument Making, the combat unit was developed at the Sarov VNIIEF. The production of missiles was launched at the Votkinsk Machine-Building Plant.

Testing of the rocket began in 1994. The first launch was carried out from a silo launcher at the Plesetsk cosmodrome on December 20, 1994. In 1997, after four successful launches, serial production of these missiles began. The act on the adoption of the Topol-M intercontinental ballistic missile into service by the Strategic Missile Forces of the Russian Federation was approved by the State Commission on April 28, 2000, and the Decree of the President of the Russian Federation on the adoption of the DBK into service was signed by Vladimir Putin in the summer of 2000, after which the mobile ground-based missile system entered flight tests (PGRK) based on the eight-axle chassis MZKT-79221. The first launch from a mobile launcher was carried out on September 27, 2000.

Technologies developed at Topol-M are used in the new sea-based ICBM Bulava.

Accommodation

The placement of the first missiles in modified silos used for UR-100N missiles (15A30, RS-18, SS-19 Stiletto) began in 1997.
On December 25, 1997, the first two 15Zh65 missiles (launch minimum) of the first regiment in the Strategic Missile Forces armed with the 15P065-35 missile system were delivered to experimental combat duty in the 60th Missile Division (Tatishchevo township). And on December 30, 1998, in the same place in the Taman missile division, the first missile regiment (commander - Lieutenant Colonel Yu. S. Petrovsky) of 10 silo launchers with silo-based Topol-M ICBMs took up combat duty. Four more regiments with silo-based Topol-M ICBMs entered combat duty on December 10, 1999, December 26, 2000 (re-equipment from 15P060), December 21, 2003 and December 9, 2005.

The deployment of a mobile-based complex on combat duty began in December 2006 in the 54th Guards Missile Division (Teykovo), the location of which continues to be modernized. At the same time, it became known that President Vladimir Putin had signed a new state weapons program until 2015, which provided for the purchase of 69 Topol-M ICBMs.
In 2008, Nikolai Solovtsov announced the beginning in the near future of equipping Topol-M missiles with multiple warheads (MRV). The Topol-M MIRV will be equipped with in the most important way maintaining Russia's nuclear potential. Topol-M with MIRV will begin entering service in 2010.

In April 2009, the commander of the Strategic Missile Forces, Nikolai Solovtsov, announced that the production of Topol-M mobile ground-based missile systems would be stopped, and more advanced systems would be supplied to the Strategic Missile Forces.
As of January 2010, there were 49 silo-based and 18 mobile-based Topol-M missiles on combat duty. All silo-based missiles are on combat duty in the Taman Missile Division (Svetly).

Characteristics

The RT-2PM2 stationary complex includes 10 15Zh65 intercontinental ballistic missiles mounted in silo launchers 15P765-35 (converted 15P735 and 15P718 silos of 15A35 and 15A18M missiles) or 15P765-60 (converted 15Zh60 missile silos) paragraph 15B222.

The mobile complex consists of one 15Zh65 missile, placed in a high-strength fiberglass TPK, mounted on an eight-axle MZKT-79221 chassis.
The 15Zh65 rocket consists of three stages with solid propellant propulsion engines. Aluminum is used as fuel, ammonium perchlorate acts as an oxidizing agent. The step bodies are made of composites. All three stages are equipped with a rotating nozzle to deflect the thrust vector (there are no lattice aerodynamic rudders).
The launch method is mortar for both options. The rocket's sustaining solid-propellant engine allows it to gain speed much faster than previous types of rockets of a similar class created in Russia and the Soviet Union. This makes it much more difficult for missile defense systems to intercept it during the active phase of the flight.

The missile is equipped with a detachable warhead with one thermonuclear warhead with a capacity of 550 kt of TNT equivalent. The warhead is also equipped with a set of means to overcome missile defense. The missile defense system consists of passive and active decoys, as well as means of distorting the characteristics of the warhead. A few dozens auxiliary engines corrections, instruments and control mechanisms allow the warhead to maneuver along the trajectory, making it difficult to intercept it at the final part of the trajectory. Some sources claim that LCs are indistinguishable from warheads in all ranges of electromagnetic radiation (optical, infrared, radar).

Maximum firing range, km - 11000

Number of steps - 3

Launch weight, t - 47.1 (47.2)

Throwing mass, t - 1.2

Rocket length without warhead, m - 17.5 (17.9)

Rocket length, m - 22.7

Maximum case diameter, m - 1.86

Type of warhead - monoblock (RS-24 "Yars" - with individual target MIRV), nuclear

Warhead equivalent, mt - 0.55

Circular probable deviation, m - 200

TPK diameter (without protruding parts), m - 1.95 (for 15P165 - 2.05)
MZKT-79221 (MAZ-7922)

Wheel formula - 16x16

Turning radius, m - 18

Ground clearance, mm - 475

Weight in running condition, t - 40

Load capacity, t - 80

Maximum speed, km/h - 45

Range, km - 500

Testing and putting into service

February 9, 2000 at 15:59 Moscow time by combat crew Missile Forces strategic purpose of the Russian Federation (Strategic Missile Forces), a successful test launch of the Topol-M intercontinental ballistic missile was carried out from the 1st State Test Cosmodrome "Plesetsk". The Topol-M (RS-12M2) ICBM was launched on the Kura battlefield, located in Kamchatka. The missile hit a training target in a given area.

April 20, 2004 at 21:30 Moscow time by joint combat crews of the Strategic Missile Forces and Space Force Russia from the Plesetsk cosmodrome carried out the next test launch of the Topol-M intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) from a self-propelled launcher according to the flight test plan in the interests of the Strategic Missile Forces. This was the first launch into the water area in the last 15 years. Hawaiian Islands with a range of more than 11 thousand kilometers.

December 24, 2004 A successful test launch of the Topol-M missile was carried out from a mobile launcher. The launch took place at 12:39 Moscow time from the Plesetsk test site. The warhead of the missile reached its designated target at the Kura training ground in Kamchatka at 13:03 Moscow time. The launch was the fourth and final launch of a rocket of a mobile version of the Topol-M complex, carried out as part of testing the complex.

November 1, 2005 from the Kapustin Yar training ground in Astrakhan region A successful test launch of the RS-12M1 Topol-M missile with a maneuvering warhead was carried out. This launch was the sixth as part of testing a system created to overcome the American missile defense. The launch took place at the tenth test site, Balkhash (Priozersk), located in Kazakhstan.

The standard distance along the Earth's surface that intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) cover is 10,000 km. This is enough for old friends the United States and Russia to be able to hit any targets on each other’s territory. It is more difficult for China due to America’s greater distance, although the Celestial Empire’s ability to launch spacecraft allows it to reach any point on the globe with a thermonuclear club. And Russia is just a stone's throw away for a good neighbor.

Image source:http://abyss.uoregon.edu/~js/space/lectures/lec18.html

Optimal in terms of energy consumption are trajectories with an apogee of 1000 - 1500 km. In this case, the flight time is about 30 minutes, and the active part of the trajectory ends at an altitude of 200 - 350 km.The relatively short acceleration section can be ignored when assessing the flight range of the missile warheads. The latter describe long ballistic curves, accelerating up to 7 km/sec in sections of descent towards the target. Let us model them numerically using the following equations of the dynamics of a material point:

The center of the Earth is at the origin, and when falling onto its surface, the following occurs:

Let us assume that at time t = 0 the deployment platform (bus) is at an altitude h km and has a speed v km/sec directed at a certain angle to the horizontal (pitch angle). Neglecting the fact that in the disengagement area the trajectory of each warhead changes slightly, we summarize the calculation results for different initial data in a table:

The table shows that a slight decrease in flight range, which is not significant for SLBMs, leads to a sharp decrease in flight time. The time factor can be critical in a situation where the attacking side launches a preemptive strike on the enemy’s control centers and nuclear forces.The first escape velocity at an altitude of h = 100 km is 7.843 km/sec, and at an altitude of h = 200 km - 7.783 km/sec. It can be seen that with the intercontinental flight range of the so-called. flat trajectories are possible only in the case when, in the active phase, the rocket accelerates to a speed significantly exceeding 7 km/sec and approaching the first cosmic speed.

Who are you, Mr. Topol M?

The most modern of Russian ICBMs, which is a minor modification of a still Soviet product, is the 15Zh65 rocket, also known as “Topol-M”. The propaganda myth that there is no effective missile defense against Topol became very popular in the 2000s. Let's consider this subject national pride closer.

Length 22.5 m, maximum diameter 1.9 m, take-off weight 47 tons. It has 3 stages with solid propellant engines and a warhead weighing 1.2 tons, which is equipped with a warhead with a capacity of 0.55 Mt. In addition to this, Topol’s payload includes dozens of decoys + electronic means of countering missile defense: both radar and infrared methods of target selection. According to information from http://rbase.new-factoria.ru/missile/wobb/topol_m/topol_m.shtml, the first stage engines create a thrust of 91 tons. Circular Probability Deviation (CPD) expresses the radius of the circle into which the warhead has a probability of at least 50%. The CEP indicator is critical in terms of strikes against missile silos and underground control centers. A vague estimate of 200 - 350 m is given for it. It is possible that in this Topol-M is not inferior to the veteran Minuteman-3, which has been the main American ICBM for more than 30 years.

There is no reliable information about Topol-M flight data. It is stated that the range reaches 11,000 km and there is an estimate of the speed of 7.3 km/sec that the warhead has when entering the ballistic part of the trajectory. Numerical simulation leads to various options. For example it is possible that combat unit separates at 300 km with a pitch angle of 6 degrees and, rising to maximum height 550 km (apogee), in 27 minutes covers a distance of 11,000 km along the surface globe. However, such a flight profile is not adequate to popular ideas about the low, flat trajectory of the Topol-M. The scenario looks very realistic, according to which the monoblock separates at an altitude of 200 km with an initial pitch of 5 degrees, ultimately flying 8,800 km in 21 minutes and reaching an apogee of 350 km. This range is quite sufficient for shelling US territory from various directions, and the flight time is significantly less than that typical for ICBMs at a distance of 10,000 km (~30 minutes). This creates additional difficulties for the missile defense system, which must have time to select the warhead among the decoys. It is clear that the reduced flight time is more important factor with a preemptive strike rather than a retaliatory strike.

In order to somehow understand the “exceptional” capabilities of the Topol-M, it is useful to compare it with its American counterpart LGM-30 Minutemen-3. Length 18.2 m, maximum diameter 1.67 m, take-off weight 36 tons. It has 3 stages with solid propellant engines and a warhead of unknown mass. Which is currently equipped with a W62 warhead with a yield of 170 kilotons, and also carries decoys along with small metal debris that impedes radar detection. Minuteman-3 CEP is estimated at 150 - 200 m. According to data from http://www.af.mil/information/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=113 , the starting thrust of the first stage reaches 92 tons, and when entering the ballistic section, the warhead has a speed of about 6.7 km/sec. Moreover, the ICBM has a range of 9,600 km and an apogee1,120 km. This “classical” flight profile corresponds to an initial pitch angle of 15.5 degrees and an altitude of 450 km when entering the ballistic phase. The Minuteman's flight time is 28 minutes. With such modest speed characteristics, a flat trajectory of intercontinental flight is out of the question. This contrasts with the Minuteman-3's thrust-to-weight ratio, which is 1.3 times that of the Topol-M. In the video of the launches, he doesn’t look like a particularly fast sprinter.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VHuFh_PNc68&feature=related , and the relic Minuteman-I took off no worse even without a “kick” from the mortar launchhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mrnfRfawtI0&feature=related . Let's try to explain this discrepancy.

Available information about the flight data of Minuteman-3 relates to its modification, which was equipped with three W78 335 Kt warheads, with individual targeting. But the same missile is capable of accelerating a relatively lightweight monoblock to a higher speed than the stated 24,000 km/h in order to throw it over a longer range and along a flatter trajectory. This is indirectly confirmed by the fact that there is information about Miniman’s maximum range of 15,000 km. For the USA, such a distance is relevant due to the growing military power China, which is quite far from America. The high thrust-to-weight ratio of Minuteman 3 could also be important in a three-warhead configuration, providing a more energetic launch and escape of the missile from the affected area. nuclear strike according to the area where the launch mines are located.

Horror flying on the wings of the night?

Thus, Topol's outstanding abilities in terms of the ability to quickly gain speed and reach a flat trajectory are greatly exaggerated.But if the Topol-M warhead flies along a flat trajectory, then this means the following. At the end of the active section, the monoblock practically enters a circular orbit, having an unlimited flight range. In this case, the trajectory can be very low (see lines 7, 8 in the table), although this circumstance is a dubious advantage, given the capabilities of missile defense interceptorsoperate at altitudes up to 200 km. ABOUTit is also obvious that the new generation of class anti-missiles Standard-3 will reach great heights. In addition, a monoblock flying along a flat trajectory, as a target for interception, differs little from a conventional satellite. But shooting down a satellite in low orbit has not been a problem for a long time. In this case, you won’t be able to go too low, because... atmospheric resistance comes into its own - already atat an altitude of 120 km, the Shuttles used aerodynamic maneuvering instead of rocket engines ( new article about the problems of flat trajectory) .

This can be objected to by other popular property of Topol-M, which supposedly consists in the ability of a monoblock to perform maneuvers using special mini-engines in the ballistic section of the trajectory. This ability is partly mythological in nature, because in many sources it is written only that Poplar May be equipped with such monoblocks. Enthusiastic reports about the elusive for interceptors and really the existing monoblock is not confirmed by serious sources, while frivolous sources have added that there are combat units with ramjet engines that fly and maneuver like hypersonic aircraft.

Orbital maneuvers of warheads have poor reverse side, about which propaganda is modestly silent. Namely, during any maneuver of the monoblock, the surrounding, shielding cloud of false targets, sources of interference and any metallized debris will remain aside, continuing to move along ballistic trajectory. The warhead will seem to emerge from under the protective blanket and remain naked, which will immediately remove the selection task for the missile defense system. After the first maneuver, the monoblock will be clearly visible on radars. At the same time, he will not have enough fuel and time to scour from side to side for a long time, given the not very large reserve payload Topol-M and the need for targeting.

Thus it is doubtful that good ICBM"Topol-M" is significantly superior to "Minuteman-3" in any way, except for the use of a mobile launcher. However, the number of such deployed installations, according to various estimates, is 20 - 25, so they are not the main part Russian forces nuclear deterrence. Interestingly, China also loves mobile ICBMs and has no less of them.

Dmitry Zotiev

Articles about flat trajectories, hypersonic warheads and other missile defense nightmares:

"Heat of the Stratosphere"

"Space slalom".

The entry was published by the author in the section. Add to bookmarks.

The development of the Topol 15Zh58 (RS-12M) strategic mobile complex with a three-stage intercontinental ballistic missile suitable for placement on a self-propelled vehicle chassis (based on the RT-2P solid-fuel ICBM) was started at the Moscow Institute of Thermal Engineering under the leadership of Alexander Nadiradze in 1975. The government decree on the development of the complex was issued on July 19, 1977. After the death of A. Nadiradze, work was continued under the leadership of Boris Lagutin. The mobile Topol was supposed to be a response to increasing the accuracy of American ICBMs. It was necessary to create a complex with increased survivability, achieved not by building reliable shelters, but by creating vague ideas among the enemy about the location of the missile.

By the end of autumn 1983, a pilot series of new missiles, designated RT-2PM, was built. On December 23, 1983, flight development tests began at the Plesetsk training ground. During the entire period of their implementation, only one launch was unsuccessful. In general, the rocket showed high reliability. Combat units of the entire DBK were also tested there. In December 1984, the main series of tests was completed. However, there was a delay in the development of some elements of the complex that are not directly related to the rocket. The entire test program was successfully completed in December 1988.

The decision to begin mass production of the complexes was made in December 1984. Serial production began in 1985.

In 1984, the construction of stationary structures and the equipment of combat patrol routes for Topol mobile missile systems began. The construction objects were located in the position areas of the RT-2P and UR-100 intercontinental ballistic missiles being removed from duty and located in the OS silos. Later, the arrangement of position areas of the complexes removed from service under the INF Treaty began medium range"Pioneer".

In order to gain experience in operating the new complex in military units, in 1985 it was decided to deploy the first missile regiment in Yoshkar-Ola, without waiting for the full completion of the joint testing program. On July 23, 1985, the first regiment of mobile Topols took up combat duty near Yoshkar-Ola at the site of the deployment of RT-2P missiles. Later, the Topols entered service with the division stationed near Teykovo, which was previously armed with the UR-100 (8K84) ICBM.

On April 28, 1987, a missile regiment armed with Topol complexes with a Barrier mobile command post took up combat duty near Nizhny Tagil. PKP "Barrier" has a multiple protected redundant radio command system. The mobile launcher of the Barrier PKP carries a combat control missile. After the missile is launched, its transmitter gives the command to launch the ICBM.

On December 1, 1988, the new missile system was officially adopted by the USSR Strategic Missile Forces. In the same year, the full-scale deployment of missile regiments with the Topol complex began and the simultaneous removal of obsolete ICBMs from combat duty. On May 27, 1988, the first regiment of the Topol ICBM with the improved Granit PKP and automated system management.

By mid-1991, 288 missiles of this type were deployed. In 1999, the Strategic Missile Forces were armed with 360 launchers of the Topol missile systems. They were on duty in ten position areas. Four to five regiments are based in each district. Each regiment is armed with nine autonomous launchers and a mobile command post.

The Topol missile divisions were deployed near the cities of Barnaul, Verkhnyaya Salda (Nizhny Tagil), Vypolzovo (Bologoe), Yoshkar-Ola, Teykovo, Yurya, Novosibirsk, Kansk, Irkutsk, as well as near the village of Drovyanaya in the Chita region. Nine regiments (81 launcher) were deployed in missile divisions on the territory of Belarus - near the cities of Lida, Mozyr and Postavy. After the collapse of the USSR, some of the Topols remained outside Russia, on the territory of Belarus. On August 13, 1993, the withdrawal of the Topol Strategic Missile Forces group from Belarus began and was completed on November 27, 1996.

In the west, the complex received the designation SS-25 "Sickle".

Compound

The RT-2PM missile is designed according to a design with three sustainer and combat stages. To ensure high energy-mass perfection and increase the firing range, a new high-density fuel with a specific impulse increased by several units was used in all sustainer stages compared to the fillers of previously created engines, and the housings of the upper stages were for the first time made of continuous winding from organoplastic according to the “cocoon” pattern ". The most difficult technical task turned out to be the placement on the front bottom of the body of the upper stage of the thrust cut-off unit with eight reversible bells and “windows”, cut through by detonating elongated charge (DUS) in an organoplastic power structure.

The first stage of the rocket consists of a sustainer solid propellant rocket engine and a tail section, on the outer surface of which aerodynamic rudders and stabilizers are located. The main engine has one fixed nozzle. The second stage structurally consists of a connecting compartment and a main solid propellant rocket engine. The third stage has almost the same design, but it additionally includes a transition compartment to which the head part is attached.

An autonomous, inertial control system was developed at NPO Automation and Instrumentation under the leadership of Vladimir Lapygin. The aiming system was developed under the leadership of the chief designer of the Kyiv Arsenal plant, Seraphim Parnyakov. The inertial control system has its own digital computer, which made it possible to achieve high shooting accuracy. According to domestic sources, the circular probable deviation (CPD) when firing at the maximum range is 400m, according to Western sources - 150-200m. The control system provides missile flight control, routine maintenance on the missile and launcher, pre-launch preparation and launch of the missile without turning the launcher. All pre-launch preparation and launch operations are fully automated.

"Topol" is equipped with a set of means to overcome missile defense. The rocket's flight is controlled by rotary gas-jet and lattice aerodynamic rudders. New nozzle devices for solid fuel engines have been created. To ensure secrecy, camouflage, decoy systems, and camouflage means have been developed. Like previous mobile complexes of the Moscow Institute of Thermal Engineering, Topol can be launched both from a combat patrol route and while parked in garage shelters with a retractable roof. To do this, the launcher is hung on jacks. Combat readiness from the moment the order was received until the missile was launched was brought to two minutes. For the new complexes, a mobile and stationary command posts The mobile command post for combat control of the Topol ICBM is located on the basis of a four-axle MAZ-543M vehicle. To control the fire, mobile command posts "Barrier" and "Granit" were also used, equipped with a missile, with a transmitter instead of a combat load, which, after launching the missile, duplicated the start command for the launchers located in positional areas.

During operation, the missile is located in a transport and launch container installed on a mobile launcher. It is mounted on the basis of a seven-axle chassis of a MAZ heavy-duty vehicle. The rocket is launched from a vertical position using a powder pressure accumulator placed in a transport and launch container.

The launcher (see diagram) was developed at the Volgograd Central Design Bureau "Titan" under the leadership of Valerian Sobolev and Viktor Shurygin. The launcher is mounted on the chassis of a seven-axle tractor MAZ-7912 (later MAZ-7917 with a 14x12 wheel arrangement. This vehicle from the 80s is equipped with a 710 hp diesel engine) from the Minsk Automobile Plant with an engine from the Yaroslavl Motor Plant. Chief designer of the rocket carrier Vladimir Tsvyalev. Solid propellant engine charges were developed at the Lyubertsy NPO Soyuz under the leadership of Boris Zhukov (later the association was headed by Zinovy ​​Pak). Composite materials and the container were developed and manufactured at the Central Research Institute of Special Engineering under the leadership of Viktor Protasov. The steering hydraulic drives of the rocket and the hydraulic drives of the self-propelled launcher were developed at the Moscow Central Research Institute of Automation and Hydraulics. Nuclear warhead created at the All-Union Research Institute experimental physics under the leadership of chief designer Samvel Kocharyants.

Initially, the warranty period for the rocket's operation was set at 10 years. Later the warranty period was extended to 15 years. The mobile command post for combat control of the Topol ICBM was located on the chassis of a four-axle MAZ-543M vehicle. To control the fire, mobile command posts "Barrier" and "Granit" were also used, equipped with a missile, with a transmitter instead of a combat load, which, after launching the missile, duplicated the start command for the launchers located in positional areas.

Performance characteristics

Maximum firing range, km	10 000
Rocket length, m	21,5
Launch weight, t	45
Head mass, t	1
Curb weight first rocket stages, t	27,8
Length of the first stage, m	8,1
Second stage length, m	4,6
Length of the third stage, m	3,9
Head length, m	2,1
Diameter of the first stage body, m	1,8
Diameter of the second stage body, m	1,55
Diameter of the third stage body, m	1,34
Diameter of transport and launch container, m	2
Area of ​​the complex's combat patrol area, km 2	125 000

Testing and operation

The Topol PGRK entered testing in February 1983. The first launch took place on February 8 at the Plesetsk test site. This and two subsequent launches were made from converted silos of stationary RT-2P missiles. One launch ended unsuccessfully.

Each year, one control launch of the Topol rocket is carried out from the Plesetsk test site. The high reliability of the complex is evidenced by the fact that during its testing and operation, about fifty control and test launches of missiles were carried out. All of them went without a hitch.

November 29, 2005 A combat training launch of the mobile-based RS-12M Topol ICBM was carried out from the Plesetsk cosmodrome in the direction of the Kura training ground in Kamchatka. A training missile warhead hit a simulated target at a training ground on the Kamchatka Peninsula with specified accuracy. The main purpose of the launch is to check the reliability of the equipment. The missile remained on combat duty for 20 years. This is the first time in the practice of not only domestic, but also global rocket science - a solid-fuel rocket that has been in operation for so many years has been successfully launched.

A conversion space launch vehicle "Start" was developed on the basis of the Topol ICBM. Launches of Start rockets are carried out from the Plesetsk and Svobodny cosmodromes.

July 23, 2010 marks 25 years since the day when ground mobile vehicles were put on combat duty intercontinental missiles"Poplar".

RT-2PM "Topol" (index of the Main Missile and Artillery Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation (GRAU) - 15Zh58, START code RS-12M, according to NATO classification - "Sickle", SS-25 "Sickle") - a strategic mobile complex with a three-stage solid fuel intercontinental ballistic missile RT-2PM, the first Soviet mobile system with an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM).

The development of a project for a strategic mobile complex with a three-stage intercontinental ballistic missile suitable for placement on a self-propelled vehicle chassis (based on the RT-2P solid-fuel ICBM) was started at the Moscow Institute of Thermal Engineering under the leadership of Alexander Nadiradze in 1975. The government decree on the development of the complex was issued on July 19, 1977. After Nadiradze's death, work was continued under the leadership of Boris Lagutin.

The mobile complex was supposed to be a response to increasing the accuracy of American ICBMs. It was necessary to create a missile that was achieved not by building reliable shelters, but by creating vague ideas among the enemy about the location of the missile.

The conditions for modernization were strictly limited by the provisions of the SALT-2 Treaty, which determined a modest improvement in the basic combat characteristics of the missile. The first test launch of the missile, designated RT-2PM, took place at the Plesetsk test site on February 8, 1983. The launch was carried out from a converted RT-2P stationary missile silo.

By the end of autumn 1983, an experimental series of new missiles was built. On December 23, 1983, flight development tests began at the Plesetsk training ground. During the entire period of their implementation, only one launch was unsuccessful. In general, the rocket showed high reliability. The combat units of the entire combat missile system (BMK) were also tested there. In December 1984, the main series of tests was completed and a decision was made to begin mass production of the complexes. However, the full testing of the mobile complex, called “Topol”, ended only in December 1988.

Without waiting for the full completion of the joint testing program, in order to gain experience in operating the new complex in military units, on July 23, 1985, near the city of Yoshkar-Ola, the first regiment of mobile Topols was deployed at the site of the deployment of RT-2P missiles.

The RT-2PM missile is designed according to a design with three sustainer and combat stages. To ensure high energy-mass perfection and increase the firing range, a new high-density fuel with a specific impulse increased by several units was used in all sustainer stages compared to the fillers of previously created engines, and the housings of the upper stages were for the first time made of continuous winding from organoplastic according to the “cocoon” pattern ".

The first stage of the rocket consists of a propulsion rocket engine on solid fuel (solid propellant rocket engine) and the tail section. The mass of the fully equipped stage is 27.8 tons. Its length is 8.1 m and its diameter is 1.8 m. The first stage propulsion solid propellant rocket engine has one fixed, centrally located nozzle. The tail section is cylindrical in shape, on the outer surface of which aerodynamic control surfaces and stabilizers are located.

The rocket flight control in the first stage operation area is carried out using rotary gas-jet and aerodynamic rudders.

The second stage consists of a conical-shaped connecting compartment and a sustainer solid propellant rocket engine. The case diameter is 1.55 m.

The third stage includes connecting and transition sections of a conical shape and a sustainer solid propellant rocket engine. Case diameter - 1.34 m.

The head of the rocket consists of one warhead (nuclear) and a compartment with a propulsion system and control system.

The "Topol" control system is of an inertial type, built using an on-board computer, microcircuits with a high degree of integration, a new set of command devices with float sensitive elements. The control system's computer complex makes it possible to implement autonomous combat use self-propelled launcher.

The control system provides missile flight control, routine maintenance on the missile and launcher, pre-launch preparation and launch of the missile, as well as solving other problems.

During operation, the RT-2PM missile is located in a transport and launch container located on a mobile launcher. The container is 22.3 m long and 2.0 m in diameter.

The launcher is mounted on the basis of a seven-axle chassis of a MAZ vehicle and is equipped with units and systems that ensure transportation, maintenance of combat readiness at the established level, preparation and launch of the rocket.

A missile can be launched both when the launcher is located in a stationary shelter with a retractable roof, and from unequipped positions, if the terrain allows it. To launch a rocket, the launcher is hung on jacks and leveled. The rocket is launched after the container is lifted into a vertical position using a powder pressure accumulator placed in the transport and launch container ("mortar launch").

After shooting off the protective cap of the container, the rocket is ejected from it by powder starting engines several meters upward, where the first-stage propulsion engine is turned on.

The maximum firing range is 10,500 km. Rocket length - 21.5 m. Launch weight 45.1 tons. Weight of the warhead - 1 ton. Nuclear warhead power - 0.55 Mt. Firing accuracy (maximum deviation) - 0.9 km. The combat patrol area of ​​the complex is 125 thousand square meters. km.

The mass of the launcher with the missile is about 100 tons. Despite this, the complex has good mobility and maneuverability.

Combat readiness (time to prepare for launch) from the moment the order was received until the missile was launched was brought to two minutes.

The missile system also includes a mobile combat control command post on a four-axle MAZ-543M chassis. To control the fire, mobile command posts "Granit" and "Barrier" were used, armed with a missile that had a radio transmitter instead of a combat load. After the rocket was launched, he duplicated the launch commands for launchers located at remote positions.

Serial production of the RT-2PM missile began in 1985 at a plant in Votkinsk (Udmurtia), and its mobile launcher was manufactured at the Volgograd Barrikady plant.

On December 1, 1988, the new missile system was officially adopted by the Strategic Missile Forces (Strategic Missile Forces). In the same year, the full-scale deployment of missile regiments with the Topol complex began and the simultaneous removal of obsolete ICBMs from combat duty. By mid-1991, 288 missiles of this type had been deployed.

The Topol missile divisions were deployed near the cities of Barnaul, Verkhnyaya Salda (Nizhny Tagil), Vypolzovo (Bologoe), Yoshkar-Ola, Teykovo, Yurya, Novosibirsk, Kansk, Irkutsk, as well as near the village of Drovyanaya in the Chita region. Nine regiments (81 launchers) were deployed in missile divisions on the territory of Belarus - near the cities of Lida, Mozyr and Postavy. Some of the Topols that remained on the territory of Belarus after the collapse of the USSR were withdrawn from it by November 27, 1996.

Each year, one control launch of the Topol rocket is carried out from the Plesetsk test site. The high reliability of the complex is evidenced by the fact that during its testing and operation, about fifty control and test launches of missiles were carried out. All of them went without a hitch.

On the basis of the Topol ICBM, a conversion space launch vehicle "Start" was developed. Launches of Start rockets are carried out from the Plesetsk and Svobodny cosmodromes.

The material was prepared based on information from open sources