| Country: |
Russian Federation |
| Alternate Name: |
Stiletto, RS-18, UR-100 |
| Class: |
ICBM |
| Basing: |
Silo based |
| Length: |
24.00 m |
| Diameter: |
2.50 m |
| Launch Weight: |
92700 kg |
| Payload: |
6 MIRV warheads |
| Warhead: |
Nuclear 500 kT |
| Propulsion: |
2-stage liquid |
| Range: |
9000 km |
| Status: |
Terminated |
| In Service: |
1975-1983 |
Details
Russian Designation: RS-18, UR-100
The SS-19 is an intercontinental-range, silo-based, liquid propellant ballistic missile system deployed by the Soviet Union. It was designed at the same time as the SS-17, with which it shares many features. Both missiles are similar to the US Minuteman design, and the simultaneous development of the two missiles is considered evidence of a Soviet desire to ensure that at least one of the two ‘light’ ICBMs entered service. The SS-17 and SS-19 were the first Soviet missiles to be equipped with true Multiple Independent Reentry Vehicle (MIRV) warheads with separate guidance and targeting systems. The old MRV systems were not independent and simply saturated a target area with warheads.
The SS-19 Mod 1 was designed as a strategic asset for use against population centers. It is possible that MIRV warheads could have been deployed by the missile against hardened silos, but this would have been something of a gamble. The missile was not exceptionally accurate nor did it have a powerful enough warhead to compensate for this, so its odds of success against a missile silo would be far from optimal. The accuracy and payload was easily sufficient to inflict tremendous casualties on population centers, making the SS-19 Mod 1 an effective counter-value weapon. This is especially true given the lower per unit cost compared with larger missiles.
The SS-19 Mod 1 could deliver its 6 MIRV warheads up to a range of 9,000 km (5,592 miles). Each warhead had a nuclear yield in the area of 500 kT. A digital guidance and control system was used with an inertial guidance system, resulting in a reported accuracy of 550 m CEP, but this was likely an early (and erroneous) estimate—the SS-19 Mod 2 had an upgraded guidance system with a reported accuracy of 900 m CEP. Assuming that the Mod 2 value is true, the SS-19 Mod 1 should be less accurate and be in the range of 1000-1200 m CEP. The missile had a length of 24.0 m, a width of 2.5 m and a launch weight of 92700 kg. It used a two-stage liquid propellant engine.
An alternate version of the Mod 1 offered increased targeting opportunities. It had an increased range of 10,750 km (6,680 miles), allowing missile silos placed further within Russia to be used against targets in the United States. The side effect of this was a decrease in accuracy and a wider dispersal pattern with MIRV warheads. This effectively eliminates the possibility of using the weapon for destroying hardened targets, but would still allow for attacking soft targets such as military bases or cities.
An additional modification version is believed to have been made by using a single larger warhead. This likely was developed to increase the accuracy and payload on the SS-19 missile to the area where it could be used against hardened targets. The warhead probably had a yield in the area of 2-3 MT, which would have allowed for successful deployment against silos. The second Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (SALT II) would have required Russia to convert a number of its SS-19 MIRV missiles to single warhead missiles and it is likely that this was carried out for at least part of the Russian missile force.
The SS-19 entered development in 1968 with the first flight test of the Mod 1 taking place in April 1973. The missile entered service in 1975 as the last of the fourth generation Soviet land-based missiles, and was initially deployed in heavily modified SS-11 silos. The SS-19 Mod 2 was first flight tested in 1977 and entered service in 1980. A peak deployment of 360 SS-19 missiles occurred in 1982, though production continued as late as 1990. The SS-19 Mod 1 series has been retired and was completely replaced by the Mod 2 by 1983. It is estimated that 100 SS-19 Mod 2 missiles were operational in July 2008, and a number will be withdrawn to accommodate the SS-27 Topol M system. By 2010 it is expected that the number will be reduced to 50, and by 2018 that number should be reduced to zero.
Some of the remaining SS-19 missiles have been converted into satellite-launch vehicles. There are two SLV versions, the 'Eurokot' and the 'Strela.' The 'Eurokot' adds a third liquid stage to the SS-19 frame in order to send payloads weighing up to 1,850 kg into low Earth. The 'Strela' uses a modified payload bus as a third stage engine, presumably to launch lighter satellites than the 'Eurokot.' The 'Strela' was tested in 2003, but there have been no reported launches since the initial test. The 'Eurokot' was tested for the 11th time in July 2006.(1)
Footnotes
- Jane’s Strategic Weapons Systems, Issue 50, ed. Duncan Lennox, (Surrey: Jane’s Information Group, January 2009), 165-166.
Russia Tests SS-19 Missile
October 29, 2007 :: Spacewar.com :: News
Russia test fired an RS-18 (SS-19) intercontinental ballistic missile October 29 from the Baikonur cosmodrome in neighboring Kazakhstan, Russian news agencies reported. The missile's warhead successfully traveled eastward to the missile testing ground on the Kamchatka peninsula. The test was intended to check the continued effectiveness of the missile's flight systems. The RS-18s are specially equipped to overcome missile defense systems. The Itar-Tass news agency notes that Russia has some 160 of the SS-19 missile, and that they are equipped with countermeasures to resist American missile defense systems. (Article, Link)
» More stories on: Russia, Testing - Foreign
» Missile details: SS-19 Mod 1, SS-19 Mod 2
Russia Launches SS-19
August 11, 2004 :: Itar-Tass :: News
Russia today tested an RS-18 (SS-19) ICBM, reported by the Russian State news agency Itar-Tass as the 70th test launch of the massive strategic weapon, but by Interfax as having been closer to the 90th. The missile is capable of being armed with six independently targetable nuclear warheads, and has a range of over 10,000km. The successful test launch from the Baikonur cosmodrome was described in the press briefing as having accurately hit its target in the Kamchatka missile range some 6,700km away, located in far eastern Russia.
Interfax notes that this launch was the fifth this year by the Strategic Missile Forces, and cites Strategic Missile Force Commander Colonel General Nikolai Solovtsov as saying that a total of ten missile launches have been scheduled for 2004. This number most likely does not, however, include the three launches thus far this year of the short range but nuclear capable SS-21 Tochka, most recently launched eight days ago, on August 3.
The first test of the SS-19 is said to have taken place at the Baikonur space center in 1973. The SS-19s are reported to be currently in service with the Tatishchevo and the Kozelsk Strategic Missile Forces units.
A report by Interfax seems to indicate that the launch was of the more recently modified version labeled the “RS-18B,” which probably corresponds to the NATO designation SS-19 Mod 2. Moreover, the Interfax description of the characteristics of the SS-19 launched also matches those of the SS-19 Mod 2: “a range of over 10,000 km; a launch weight of 105.6 tons; a length of 24 m; a diameter of 2.5 m; two stages; a MIRV warhead, liquid-state propellant boosters; gas-dynamic launch from a silo.” (Article, Link)
» More stories on: Russia, Testing - Foreign
» Missile details: SS-19 Mod 1, SS-19 Mod 2
Russia Preparing for Another SS-19 Test
July 13, 2004 :: Interfax :: News
Russia will test another SS-19 (RS-18) ICBM in mid-August, the Russian Defense told the Russian Interfax news agency. The test is one in a series to extend the life of the SS-19 missile. Interfax notes that the SS-19 is currently on combat duty at the Tatishchevo and Kozelsk units of the Russian Strategic Missile Forces. (Article, Link)
» More stories on: Russia, Testing - Foreign
» Missile details: SS-19 Mod 1, SS-19 Mod 2
