RT-2UTTH Topol M

Infobox Weapon
is_missile=yes
name=РТ-2УТТХ Тополь-М
RT-2UTTKh Topol-M


type= Intercontinental ballistic missile
caption=
origin=Russia
type=
used_by=
manufacturer=Moscow Institute of Thermal Technology
unit_cost=
propellant=
production_date=December 20, 1994
service=December 1997
engine=3-stage solid propellant
engine_power=
weight=47,200 kg (104,000 lb)
length=22.7 m (74.47 ft)
height=
diameter=1.95 m (6.4 ft)
wingspan=
speed=
vehicle_range=11,000 km (6,900 mi)
ceiling=
altitude=
filling=Nuclear 550 kT
(six 550 kT MIRV warheads possible)
guidance=Inertial with GLONASS
detonation=
launch_platform=Silo
Mobile launcher vehicle

The RT-2UTTKh «Topol-M» ( _ru. РТ-2УТТХ «Тополь-М») 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," Raketa Tverdotoplivnaya ("solid fuel rocket"), while УТТХ - for "улучшенные тактико-технические характеристики," uluchshenniye taktiko-tekhicheskie kharahteristiki ("improved tactical and technical characteristics"). It has been assigned the NATO reporting name STALIN/DIA: 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. [ [http://www.fas.org/nuke/guide/russia/icbm/rt-2pmu.htm RT-2PMU? - Topol-M SS-27 - Russian / Soviet Nuclear Forces ] ] [ [http://www.aeronautics.ru/archive/wmd/ballistic/ballistic/ss27-01.htm Land-Based Ballistic Missiles ] ]

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. Some of the Russian launchers will be upgraded starting in 2007. Its range is estimated to be 11,000 km (6,900 mi). It has three solid rocket stages with inertial, autonomous flight control. [http://en.rian.ru/russia/20061215/56980585.html]

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 1997 in modified SS-19 silos. The 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.

In December 12, 2006 the first three mobile Topol-M missile systems entered duty with a missile unit stationed near the town of Teykovo. [Strategic Missile Forces spokesman Col. Alexander Vovk, quoted by "ITAR TASS".]

As of January 2008, Russia operated 48 silo based and six mobile Topol-M missile systems, and plans to purchase 69 more by 2015.

In September 2008, General Nikolai Solovtsov, the commander of the Strategic Rocket Forces announced that two silo based and nine mobile Topol-M missiles would be deployed by the end of the year, bringing the total number of missiles up to 65. [http://www.redstar.ru/2008/09/11_09/3_01.html]

Current Strategic Rocket Forces Order of Battle lists the following sites with Topol-M missiles: [http://russianforces.org/missiles/]
*27th Guards Missile Army (HQ: Vladimir)
**60th missile Division at Tatishchevo with 48 silo-based Topol-M
**54th Guards Missile Division at Teykovo with 6 mobile Topol-M

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 U.S. 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 explosions at distances over 500 meters, and is designed to survive a hit from any laser technology. Fact|date=October 2008

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. [http://www.washtimes.com/national/20051120-115514-2217r.htm] 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 15 December 2006 Moscow reported that the Topol-M soon would be re-equipped with multiple re-entry vehicles. The recently tested RS-24 was confirmed by Yuri Solomonov to be this "MIRVed" Topol-M.The message that Topol-M would soon appear in MIRV modification was repeated in December 2007. [http://en.rian.ru/russia/20071219/93134926.html]

Operator

;RUS: As of 2008, the only operator of the Topol-M is Russia's Strategic Rocket Forces, with 54 missiles deployed.

ee also

*List of missiles
*Bulava (missile) - the submarine-based version of the Topol M

References

External links

* [http://russianforces.org/blog/2007/12/three_more_mobile_topolms.shtml/ Three more mobile Topol-M systems]
* [http://en.rian.ru/russia/20070508/65086382.html Russia to Deploys fixed site Topol]
* [http://www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=viewArticle&code=20061210&articleId=4112 Russia Deploys new ICBM regiment]
* [http://en.rian.ru/photolents/20061215/56964720_1.html TOPOL M pictures - RIA NOVOSTI]
* [http://www.russianforces.org/eng/missiles/ Russian Strategic Nuclear Forces Webpage]
* [http://www.fas.org/nuke/guide/russia/icbm/rt-2pmu.htm Federation of American Scientists]
* [http://www.missilethreat.com/missilesoftheworld/id.145/missile_detail.asp Missile Threat page]
* [http://www.i-ru.cz/foto1/Topol-M_zima1211x1290.jpgpicture]
* [http://www.globalsecurity.org/wmd/world/russia/rt-2pmu-specs.htm GlobalSecurity.org on the RT-2UTTH Topol-M (SS-27)]
* [http://www.defesanet.com.br/russia/topol_m.htm Russia Breaks US Missile Defense]
* [http://www.janes.com/defence/news/jdw/jdw060428_1_n.shtml Extract from April 2006 article on Russian nuclear deterrent]
* [http://www.russianspaceweb.com/rockets_icbm.html Russian ICBMs by generation]

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