| Country: |
Russian Federation |
| Alternate Name: |
R-13 |
| Class: |
SLBM |
| Basing: |
Submarine launched |
| Length: |
11.80 m |
| Diameter: |
1.30 m |
| Launch Weight: |
13600 kg |
| Payload: |
Single warhead, 1,598 kg |
| Warhead: |
Nuclear 1 MT |
| Propulsion: |
Single-stage liquid |
| Range: |
560 km |
| Status: |
Obsolete |
| In Service: |
1963-1979 |
Details
Russian Designation: R-13
The SS-N-4 was a short-range, sea-launched, liquid propellant ballistic missile. It was the first Russian ballistic missile designed solely for naval applications. Previous submarine-launched missiles were restricted in range, limiting the number of potential targets and requiring the submarines to face defended seas. In 1955, the Soviet Union government ordered the production of a submarine-launched ballistic missile with a range greater than 300 km (186 miles). The missile was specifically designed to be able to carry a nuclear warhead. It used an inertial guidance system.
The SS-N-4 gave the Soviet Union the ability to launch nuclear strikes against ports and cities several hundred kilometers from the coast. The range of the SS-N-4 was such that it could be launched from outside the range of anti-submarine defenses. The warhead was large enough to compensate for the extremely low accuracy to the point where it could be used against cities or ports, but not against hardened silos. It could only really be used against civilian targets. It also provided a seaborne nuclear deterrent against a US pre-emptive strike.
The SS-N-4 could deliver a 1,598 kg payload to a maximum range of 560 km (348 miles). Its payload was a separating single warhead with a 1 MT yield with an accuracy limitation of 4,000 m CEP. It had a launch weight of 13,600 kg. It used a single-stage liquid propellant engine and was 11.8 m long with a width of 1.3 m.
The development of the SS-N-4 began in 1955, with the flight tests starting in 1959. It entered service aboard Soviet submarines in 1963. It was initially deployed in the ‘Golf’ class and later the ‘Hotel’ class submarines, the first Soviet nuclear ballistic missile submarine. It is reported that between 1962 and 1965, 66 SS-N-4s were deployed. The final missiles were removed from service in 1979. There are unconfirmed reports that the design plans of the SS-N-4 were passed to China in 1959. It is presumed that this is the ultimate basis for China’s Submarine-Launched Ballistic Missile (SLBM) program.(1)
Footnotes
- Duncan Lennox, Jane’s Strategic Weapons Systems 46 (Surrey: Jane’s Information Group, January 2007), 581.
Russia to Phase Out Railcar Missiles by December 2005
June 15, 2005 :: RIA-Novosti :: News
RIA-Novosti reports that Russia plans to remove all nuclear missile trains from combat duty by December 2005. According to one source quoted in the article, “Unfortunately missiles grow old, just like people, and their guaranteed service life runs out.” Each system comprises three launchers of SS-24 Scalpel (RT-23U Molodets) missiles. Previous reports indicate that Russia most recently dismantled missile trains at Kostroma and Bryansk. (Article, Link)
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» Missile details: SS-N-4
Russia Dismantling Railway Missile System
May 31, 2005 :: Interfax :: News
Interfax reports that Russia has dismantled one railway-based missile system at Kostroma, and has started dismantling another at Bryansk. Each system comprises three launchers of SS-24 Scalpel (RT-23U Molodets) missiles, as well as a command post and maintenance cars. Nikolay Solovtsov, commander of the Strategic Missile Troops, has previously stated that Russia will dismantle all railway-based missile launchers before 2006. (Article, Link)
» More stories on: Russia
» Missile details: SS-N-4
