| Country: |
Russian Federation |
| Alternate Name: |
Satan, RS-20B |
| Class: |
ICBM |
| Basing: |
Silo based |
| Length: |
34.30 m |
| Diameter: |
3.00 m |
| Launch Weight: |
211,100 kg |
| Payload: |
10 MIRV warheads |
| Warhead: |
Nuclear 500 kT (x10 MIRV) |
| Propulsion: |
2-stage liquid |
| Range: |
11,000 km |
| Status: |
Terminated |
| In Service: |
1980-? |
Details
Russian Designation: RS-20B
The SS-18 is an intercontinental-range, silo-based, liquid propellant ballistic missile deployed by the Soviet Union. It is the largest of the fourth generation Soviet intercontinental-range missile and the only ‘heavy’ missile allowed under the second Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty (SALT II). A total of six versions are known to have been developed and deployed. The SS-18 was extremely similar in design to its predecessor, the SS-9.
The SS-18 Mod 3 is an extremely powerful strategic weapon. It carries Multiple Independent Reentry Vehicle (MIRV) warheads, each with a nuclear yield greater than that of many contemporary missiles. It has range such that all major targets within the continental United States could be attacked. The SS-18 Mod 3 provides the 10 MIRV capability of the Mod 1 with larger warheads and greater accuracy. With an accuracy of 650 m CEP and a 500 kT nuclear yield warhead, the missile could be effective against hardened targets. As the missile's 10 MIRV warheads could easily be used to destroy a number of population centers, the SS-18 Mod 3 is a viable counter-value asset as well.
The SS-18 Mod 3 and Mod 4 have the same missile design; their only difference was MIRV accuracy. Whether the Mod 4 brought accuracy to 650 m CEP or improved upon this accuracy is unclear. The missile uses an inertial navigation system with digital computer guidance and control. The missile is a massive 211,100 kg, with a length of 34.3 m and a 3.0 m diameter. It uses a two-stage liquid propellant engine.
The SS-18 entered development in 1969 as a replacement for the SS-9 missile. It was essentially a redesigned, modernized SS-9. The flight tests started in 1973 and the Mod 1 version of the missile was first deployed operationally in 1975 within converted SS-9 missile silos and launch complexes. The SS-18 Mod 2 entered service in 1978, with the Mod 3 and Mod 4 entering service in 1980 and 1982 respectively. By 1991, there were 308 SS-18 missiles in silos grouped among six major launch sites.
The first Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START I) required the number of SS-18 missiles to be reduced to 154 by 2003. As a result, the early versions of the SS-18 were removed from service to maintain the more advanced models; all Mod 1 missiles were removed by 1994 while the Mod 2 missiles were removed by 2001. The requirement of the START I has been fulfilled, as only 145 SS-18 missiles remained in service by the end of 2002. There were believed to be about 122 Mod 3 missiles still in service in 2001. It is believed that only 70 SS-18 missiles (of all six versions) remained in July 2008. The Mod 3 has probably been mostly replaced by the later Mod 5 and Mod 6 versions, which will remain in service until 2020.(1)
Footnotes
- Jane’s Strategic Weapons Systems, Issue 50, ed. Duncan Lennox, (Surrey: Jane’s Information Group, January 2009), 167-69.
New RS-24 Missiles to Replace Older Russian Systems
June 12, 2007 :: Interfax :: News
At a press conference, Commander Colonel-General Nikolai Solovtsov confirmed that Russia's new RS-24 intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) will replace older missiles as they are retired over the coming years, Interfax-AVN reported on June 12. Specifically, the RS-24s will replace the RS-18s (SS-19, Stiletto) and the RS-20s (SS-18, Satan), which carry six and ten warheads respectively. (Article, Link)
» More stories on: Russia
» Missile details: SS-18 Mod 3, SS-18 Mod 4, SS-19 Mod 2
Russia Tests SS-18
December 22, 2004 :: Itar-Tass :: News
Russia today tested its SS-18 intercontinental ballistic missile, which it test fired from the Dombarovsky missile base in the Odenberg region of Russia, traveling some 6,000km to the Kura testing ground on the far eastern Kamchatka peninsula. This was the first test of a missile being launched from within Russia proper since 1991, reports Interfax—most test launches of the SS-18 take place from Kazakhstan.
The missile in question was described as the RS-20V (R-36M2) Voyevoda, which has been in service for some 16 years, and which will remain in service for another ten or 15 years. It is known as the SS-18 or as “Satan” in the West. Of the two versions or “modifications” of SS-18s currently deployed, this was probably the SS-18 Mod 4. Russia reportedly has about 40-50 of these missiles currently in service.
Russia is expected to test one more missile in 2004, the Topol-M, this Friday, December 24. (More »»»)
» RIA Novosti on SS-18, upcoming Topol-M, tests
» Podvig on SS-18 launch
» More stories on: Russia, Testing - Foreign
» Missile details: SS-18 Mod 3, SS-18 Mod 4
