| Country: |
Russian Federation |
| Alternate Name: |
Satan, RS-20V |
| Class: |
ICBM |
| Basing: |
Silo Based |
| Length: |
34.30 m |
| Diameter: |
3.00 m |
| Launch Weight: |
217000 kg |
| Payload: |
10 MIRV warheads |
| Warhead: |
Nuclear 500 to 750 kT |
| Propulsion: |
2-stage liquid |
| Range: |
15000 km |
| Status: |
Operational |
| In Service: |
1988 |
Details
Russian Designation: RS-20V
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 four versions are known to exist, though it is believed that the fifth and sixth version may have existed as well. The SS-18 was extremely similar in design to its predecessor, the SS-9.
The SS-18 Mod 4 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 had range such that all major targets within the continental United States could be attacked. The SS-18 Mod 3 sacrifices the significantly more powerful MIRV warheads of the Mod 1 in exchange for the ability to strike an extra two targets and the Mod 4 is simply an upgraded version. The reported capabilities of the Mod 3 are insufficient for an effective anti-silo system, but the reported upgrades for the Mod 4 compensate for this difference. A SS-18 Mod 4 warhead has a decent chance at destroying a US silo and the probability of a successful strike can be significantly increased by doubling up on the silos. The SS-18, while not a perfect silo killer, definitely has some capacity in that area. The MIRV warheads could also be used to destroy population centers, making the SS-18 Mod 4 a viable asset for counter-value targets.
The SS-18 Mod 3 and 4 have the exact same general design; the only difference is the warhead. The SS-18 Mod 3 can deploy its 10 MIRV warheads up to a range of 15,000 km (9,321 miles). Each MIRV warhead has a yield of 500-750 kT. The missile uses an inertial navigation system with digital computer guidance and control, providing a realistic accuracy of 500 m CEP. This value is reasonable for the time period and results in a functional counterforce missile. The missile is a massive 217,000 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 1988 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. This was accomplished by destroying or converting the missiles into satellite launch vehicles. There are approximately 58 Mod 4 missiles still in service. It is believed that the total number of SS-18 missiles was reduced to 85 in 2006.
The Mod 5 and 6 missiles were first launched in 1986. These models have improved accuracy, a similar first and second stage motor, similar accuracy and a similar payload. Due to an extended life program they will be in service until 2020.(1)
Footnotes
- Duncan Lennox, Jane’s Strategic Weapons Systems 46 (Surrey: Jane’s Information Group, January 2007), 130-132.
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’s Strategic Missile Troops Holding War Game
March 16, 2006 :: RIA-Novosti :: News
Russia’s Strategic Missile Troops are conducting wargames that include the deployment of mobile ground-based missile systems, according to Russian news sources. Over 2,000 troops and 400 pieces of equipment are taking part in the exercise, which will include the deployment of SS-25 Sickle missile systems and SS-18 Satan heavy missiles. According to the SMT, the purpose of the exercise is to improve cooperation between command and control elements while fighting off an enemy attack. The wargames will run from March 14 through 18. (Article, Link)
» More stories on: Russia
» Missile details: SS-18 Mod 4, SS-N-5
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
Two More Russian Missile Tests in 2004
November 9, 2004 :: Interfax :: News
Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov announced today, during a meeting with Russian President Putin, that Russia will conduct an additional two launches of ballistic missiles in 2004, of the silo-launched SS-18 (RS-20) heavy missile, and of the mobile Topol-M, the last test of the Topol-M before it is more fully adopted for service.
At the meeting, Ivanov apparently referred to the SS-18 by its Western name, “Satan,” prompting Putin to call the missiles by the Russian name, saying, “Please use our own names, there is no need to say Satan and the like,” and “Let those people over there who have objections use the NATO terminology,” according to press reports. (Article, Link)
» More stories on: Russia
» Missile details: SS-18 Mod 4, SS-27
Status of Russian Strategic Forces
October 20, 2004 :: News
Pavel Podvig, editor of Russian Strategic Nuclear Forces, reports that exchange data under the START Treaty was released earlier this month, updating the number and type of Russia’s deployed ballistic missiles and nuclear warheads. Currently, Russia is said to have some 874 “delivery platforms,” fielding some 3885 large, strategic, nuclear warheads.
Some 315 SS-25 (Topol) road-mobile missiles are now deployed, though their numbers will be diminishing. Some 15 SS-24 rail-mobile missiles are said to have been decommissioned in the past year, as well as a few “heavy” SS-18s.
While the older missiles are phased out, newer ones replace them. Most importantly the new and advanced SS-27 (Topol-M) missiles continue to be deployed in silos. Four SS-27s are expected to be deployed in December 2004, and an additional ten in 2005-2006. (Article, Link)
» More stories on: Russia
» Missile details: SS-18 Mod 4, SS-24, SS-25, SS-27
Russia Tests SS-N-23 and SS-18 Ballistic Missiles
June 29, 2004 :: Express India :: News
Russia today successfully tested a submarine launched RSM-54 (SS-N-23 or “Skiff”) ballistic missile from the Yekaterinburg Delta IV-class missile submarine submerged in the Barents Sea. The missile traveled some 7,000 km before reaching its target, the Kura testing ground on the Kamchatka Peninsula, located on Russia’s Pacific coast. The missile’s flight across Russia lasted only some 28 minutes. The SS-N-23 missile tested today was the same type as those which failed to launch during naval exercises attended by Russian President Vladimir Putin in February.
In addition, Russia also launched an SS-18, or RS-20, intercontinental ballistic missile. The SS-18 or “Satan” missile was launched from the Baikonur cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. (Article, Link)
» More stories on: Russia, Testing - Foreign
» Missile details: SS-18 Mod 4, SS-N-23
Russia Extending Life of ICBMs
May 6, 2004 :: Itar-Tass :: News
Speaking to journalists, Russian Strategic Missile Troops commander Col.-Gen. Nikolay Solovtsov said that the service life of Russian ICBMs would be extended an additional 10-15 years, for a total of 25-30 years, reports ITAR TASS.
Though Solovtsov did not specify which missiles were being extended, he was likely referring to SS-18 and SS-19s. He attributed the extension of the missile’s usability to “good maintenance.” Equally relevant, however, is the cash-strapped nature of the advanced Topol-M (SS-27) missile deployment, which continues to proceed but is currently behind schedule in producing replacing older ICBMs.
Solovtsov seemed to indicate that the Topol-M deployments would be largely complete in 10 years: “After 2015, the mainstay of the SMT group will be the Topol-M missile systems, both silo-based and mobiles ones, with various armaments.” (Article, Link)
» More stories on: Russia
» Missile details: SS-18 Mod 4, SS-19 Mod 2, SS-27
