November 21, 2008

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SS-7

Country:  Russian Federation
Alternate Name:  Saddler, R-16
Class:  ICBM
Basing:  Surface based
Length:  30.40 m
Diameter:  3.00 m
Launch Weight:  140600 kg
Payload:  Single warhead, 1475 to 2200 kg
Warhead:  Nuclear 3 MT, 5-6 MT
Propulsion:  2-stage liquid
Range:  11000 km
Status:  Obsolete
In Service:  1961-1979

Details

Russian Designation: R-16

The SS-7 was an intercontinental-range, surface-based, liquid propellant ballistic missile. It was the first Russian ICBM to be deployed in quantity. Little was known about the missile for some time, as it was one of the few Russian missiles not displayed during Moscow parades. It was often confused with the SS-8 until 1976. The prime reason for its development was to resolve major issues with the SS-6, and its development resulted in improved combat readiness and reduced maintenance issues.

 

The SS-7 was 30.4 m in length and 3.0 m in diameter. It had a range of 11,000 km (6835 miles) for the original design or 13,000 km (8078 miles) for a longer-ranged version. Both versions carried a single payload of 1,475 to 2,200 kg with either a 3 MT or 5-6 MT yield, with an accuracy limitation of 2,700 m CEP. The ground launched version of the SS-7 had a launch weight of 140,600 kg while the longer-ranged silo version was 148,000 kg. Both designs used a second-stage liquid propellant, which allowed for rapid launch, easier maintenance, longer range, and improved accuracy. Its second-stage engine used the tandem design typical of modern rockets. The SS-7 used an inertial guidance system with radio control to allow for trajectory corrections.

 

The Soviets designed three different warheads for the SS-7, as well as a silo-based version, which led NATO to believe a total of four different versions existed. The silo version had an increased range and, from within the silo, could survive most nuclear strikes. From bases within the Soviet Union, all major strategic targets within the U.S. were within striking distance if the Soviets launched the missiles over the North Pole. Like most missiles of the time period, it could only be used to destroy soft targets, as its accuracy was insufficient to destroy a hardened site. From hardened silos, it made an effective nuclear deterrent.

 

The SS-7 started development in 1956. Firing tests began in 1960 and flight tests began the following year. The SS-7 entered service in the Soviet Union in 1961 and had a peak deployment of 186 missiles by the end of 1965. Initially, the missile could only be launched from an above-ground missile complex. When the effort to design silo-based versions started for the SS-4 and SS-5 in 1960, similar projects were started for the SS-7. In 1976, the number started to be reduced and all were retired by 1979 to make room for new Submarine-Launched Ballistic Missiles (SLBM) deployments, in accordance with the first Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty (SALT I).(1)

 

 

Footnotes

 

  1. Duncan Lennox, Jane’s Strategic Weapons Systems 46 (Surrey: Jane’s Information Group, January 2007), 567.

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