| Country: |
Russian Federation |
| Alternate Name: |
Scunner, R-1 |
| Class: |
SRBM |
| Basing: |
Surface based |
| Length: |
14.65 m |
| Diameter: |
1.65 m |
| Launch Weight: |
13400 kg |
| Payload: |
Single warhead, 1,075 kg |
| Warhead: |
785 kg; HE |
| Propulsion: |
Single-stage liquid |
| Range: |
270 km |
| Status: |
Obsolete |
| In Service: |
1950-1953 |
Details
Russian Designation: R-1
The SS-1A was a short-ranged, surface-based, liquid propellant ballistic missile. It was essentially a Russian version on the V-2 rocket. Yet although its body was very similar to the WWII German missile, the SS-1A featured several improvements.
The range and accuracy of the SS-1A missile was such that it could only be used for short-range general bombardment of an area, similar to the manner in which the Germans used the V-2. Though less accurate and shorter-ranged than aircraft, ballistic missiles of the time period were invulnerable to anti-air defenses and considered worth researching. In addition, the missile design used a primitive radio-command guidance system allowing the missile to be targeted by a commander on the ground.
The SS-1A had a maximum range of 270 km (168 miles) and a payload of 1,075 kg, carrying a 785 kg high explosive device. The accuracy of the missile was a limited at 1,500 m CEP, almost ten times better than that of the original V-2. It is presumed that the weight of the primitive guidance system in the SS-1A decreased the payload and range relative to the V-2, but significantly increased the accuracy. The missile had a launch weight of 13,400 kg. It used a single-stage liquid propellant engine and was 14.65 m long with a width of 1.65 m.
Development of the SS-1A began in 1945 with the study and copying of captured German V-2 missiles. The first successful test launch took place in 1948. The SS-1A missiles were in service in the Soviet Union from 1950 to 1952, prior to being replaced by the more advanced SS-2 and SS-3 designs. The missile also served as Russia’s first space launch vehicle.(1)
Footnotes
- Duncan Lennox, Jane’s Strategic Weapons Systems 46 (Surrey: Jane’s Information Group, January 2007), 561-562.
Iran Tests Solid-Fuel Missile Engine
May 31, 2005 :: New York Times :: News
In what constitutes a major development for its missile program, Iran has reported success in its test of a solid-fueled ballistic missile engine which is probably designed for a newer version of the Shahab missile family. The range of the solid fuel motor is purported to exceed the stated 2,000 km range of the existing, but gradually upgraded, Shahab-3. Such a reach could give Iran the capability to target all of Israel, Turkey, much of India, parts of Germany and China, and U.S. forces stationed in Iraq, Afghanistan, and the Persian Gulf. According to Iranian Defense Minister Ali Shamkhani, the test was “100 percent successful.”
If the Iranian claims are accurate, the test represents a significant breakthrough for Iranian missile technology. Solid fuel offers abundant advantages over liquid fuel. It provides its missiles with greater accuracy, faster mobility, quicker deployment, and a longer shelf life. Iran seems likely to arm these missiles with nuclear warheads. Al-Jazeera quoted one Western diplomat as noting, “Why develop a Rolls Royce to only deliver a pizza?” (Article, Link)
» More stories on: Iran, Testing - Foreign
» Missile details: Shahab-6, Small ICBM, SS-1A
