- R-39 (missile)
Infobox Weapon
is_missile=yes
name = R-39
type = StrategicSLBM
vehicle_range = 8,250 km
filling = 10
yield = 200 Kt each
engine = three stage solid-fuel
guidance = Astroinertial
cep = 500 metres (western estimate)
speed =
length = 16 m (8.4 m without warhead)
diameter = 2.4 m
weight = 90 tonnes
payload_capacity = 2,550 kg
manufacturer =Zlatoust Machine-Building Plant
unit_cost =
service= 1983–2004
used_by =Soviet Union / CISThe R-39 was a Russian
submarine launched ballistic missile (SLBM). It had theNATO reporting name of SS-N-20 "Sturgeon" and the bilateral designation RSM-52. It was carried on board submarines of the Typhoon class from1983 until it was withdrawn from service in2004 .The R-39 was an intercontinental missile, it had a three stage solid-fuel (
ammonium perchlorate ) boost design with a liquid-fuel post-boost unit carrying up to tenMIRV warheads. Like other SLBMs the initial launch was powered by a gas generator in the bottom of the firing tube, during the missile's passage through the water additional motors produce a gaseous wall around the missile, reducing hydrodynamic resistance. The launch system was designated D-19.The missiles had
GRAU indices of 3M65, 3M20, and 3R65.Development work began at NII Mashinostroyeniya in
1971 and the design gained official approval in1973 . Initial test flights from1979 found problems in the solid-fuel boost engines, over half of the early flights failed. Later tests aboard a modifiedTyphoon class submarine were more successful and deployment began in May1983 , with 20 missiles in each submarine. At full deployment, 120 missiles were deployed with 1,200 total warheads.Under the terms of the
Start I and Start II treaties, from1996 a number of R-39 missiles were destroyed. Throughout the 1990s, Typhoon class submarines and the R-39 missiles they carried were gradually withdrawn from service. All the missiles were decommissioned by2004 and all the Typhoon class submarines have been retired, except for one which is to be used as a test platform for the next generationBulava missile .A successor design,
R-39M Grom ( _ru. Гром, Thunder)/RSM-52V/SS-N-28 for D-19UTTKh launch system, suffered a succession of testing failures and was cancelled.Operators
;USSR
*Soviet Navy ;RUS
*Russian Navy See also
*
List of missiles External links
* [http://www.thebulletin.org/article_nn.php?art_ofn=ma05norris Russian nuclear forces 2005]
* [http://www.globalsecurity.org/wmd/world/russia/r39.htm GlobalSecurity.org data on R-39]
* [http://www.globalsecurity.org/wmd/world/russia/r39m.htm GlobalSecurity.org data on R-39M]
* [http://www.globalsecurity.org/wmd/world/russia/941.htm GlobalSecurity.org data on Typhoon submarines]
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