RT-2PM2 Topol-M: Difference between revisions

|name= Topol-M <br /> SS-27 "Sickle B"

|service=December 1997–present2000–present

|weight= 47,200 kg (104,000 lb)

|length={{convert|22.7 |m (74.47 ft)|abbr=on}}

|diameter={{convert|1.993|m|abbr=on}}

|speed={{convert|73207520|m/s|km/h mph Mach}}<ref name="Mputtre.com">{{cite web |url=http://www.mputtre.com/id19.html |title=Topol-M: Missile Defense Penetrator by Michal Fiszer |publisher=Mputtre.com |access-date=2011-05-23 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121230165047/http://www.mputtre.com/id19.html |archive-date=2012-12-30 }}</ref>

|filling= 1 x 1.0 Mt warhead<ref name="sipri.org">[https://global.oup.com/academic/product/sipri-yearbook-online-2011-9780199695522?cc=us&lang=en& SIPRI Yearbook Online 2011]</ref>

The '''RT-2PM2 «Topol-M»''' ({{lang-ru|РТ-2ПМ2 «Тополь-М»}}, [[NATO reporting name]]: '''SS-27 "Sickle B"<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.deagel.com/Ballistic-Missiles/Topol-M_a001014001.aspx |title=SS-27 Sickle B |publisher=Deagel.com |date=2011-03-10 |access-date=2011-05-23}}</ref>''', other designations: '''SS-27 Mod 1''',<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://fas.org/blogs/security/2014/05/russianmodernization/|title=Russian ICBM Force Modernization: Arms Control Please!}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.armscontrolwonk.com/archive/207196/crowdsourcing-russian-icbms/|title=Crowdsourcing Russian ICBMs|website=www.armscontrolwonk.com}}</ref> '''RS-12M1''', '''RS-12M2''', formerly incorrectly '''RT-2UTTKh''')<ref name="janes1">[https://archive.today/20120904131630/http://www.janes.com/extracts/extract/jsws/jsws0463.html RS-12M1/2 Topol-M (SS-27/RT-2PM2) (Russian Federation), Offensive weapons]</ref> is one of the most recent [[intercontinental ballistic missile]]s to be deployed by Russia,<ref>{{Cite web |title=RT-2PM2 Topol-M (seeSS-27 [[RSMod 1 "Sickle B") |url=https://missilethreat.csis.org/missile/ss-2427/ Yars|RSaccess-24]]),date=2022-04-25 |website=Missile Threat |language=en-US}}</ref> and the first to be developed after the dissolution of the [[Soviet Union]]. It was developed from the [[RT-2PM Topol]] mobile [[intercontinental ballistic missile]].

In its Russian designation '''РТ''' stands for "ракета твердотопливная", raketa tverdotoplivnaya ("solid fuel rocket"), while '''УТТХ''' – for "улучшенные тактико-технические характеристики,", uluchshenniye taktiko-tekhnicheskie kharakteristiki ("improved tactical and technical characteristics"). "Topol" (тополь) in Russian means "[[populus alba|white poplar]]". It is designed and produced exclusively by the [[Moscow Institute of Thermal Technology]], and built at the [[Votkinsk Machine Building Plant]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://fas.org/nuke/guide/russia/icbm/rt-2pmu.htm |title=RT-2PMU? – Topol-M SS-27 – Russian / Soviet Nuclear Forces |publisher=Fas.org |access-date=2011-05-23}}</ref><ref>[http://www.aeronautics.ru/archive/wmd/ballistic/ballistic/ss27-01.htm Land-Based Ballistic Missiles]{{dead link|date=May 2011}}</ref>

The Topol-M is a [[Cold launch|cold-launched]], three-stage, solid-propellant, silo-based or road-mobile [[intercontinental ballistic missile]].<ref name="missilethreat.csis.org">{{cite web|url=http://missilethreat.csis.org/missile/ss-25-topol/|title=SS-25 (RS-12M Topol) - Missile Threat}}</ref> The missile's length is 22.7 mmeters and the first stage has a body diameter of 1.9 mmeters. The mass at launch is 47,200&nbsp;kg, including the 1,200&nbsp;kg [[Payload (air and space craft)|payload]]. Topol-M carries a single [[warhead]] with an 800 [[TNT equivalent|ktkiloton]] yield<ref name="sipri.org"/> but the design is compatible with [[MIRV]] warheads. According to chief designer Yury Solomonov, the missile can carry four to six warheads along with decoys.<ref name="missilethreat1">{{cite web |url=http://missilethreat.csis.org/missile/ss-25-topol |title=ArchivedMissile copyThreat &#124; SS-25 (RS-12M Topol) |access-date=2016-11-03 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161104081523/http://missilethreat.csis.org/missile/ss-25-topol/ |archive-date=2016-11-04 }}</ref> Its minimum range is estimated to be 2,000&nbsp;km and the maximum range 10,500&nbsp;km. It has three [[solid rocket]] stages with [[inertial guidance system|inertial]], autonomous flight control utilizing an onboard [[GLONASS]] receiver.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://en.rian.ru/russia/20061215/56980585.html |title=Russia to re-equip its new mobile ICBMs with multiple warheads |publisher=RIA Novosti |date=2006-12-15 |access-date=2011-05-23}}</ref> It is reputedclaimed to have the highest accuracy of any Russian ICBM.<ref name="autogenerated1">{{cite webnews|url=http://www.nti.org/db/nisprofs/russia/weapons/icbms/topovr.htm |title=Russia |publishernewspaper=Nti.orgThe |access-date=2011-05-23}}</ref>Nuclear withThreat a [[Circular error probable|CEP]] of 200m.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.deagel.com/Ballistic-Missiles/Topol-M_a001014001.aspx |title=Topol-M / RS-12M2, RT-2PM2, SS-27 Sickle B, SS-X-27Initiative |publisher=DeagelNti.com |date=2011-03-10org |access-date=2011-05-23}}</ref> The body of the rocket is made by winding carbon fiber.

The Topol-M may be deployed either inside a reinforced [[missile silo]] or from an APU launcher mounted on the [[MZKT-79221 |MZKT-79221 "Universal"]] 16-wheeled [[transporter-erector-launcher]].<ref name="autogenerated1"/> The designation for the silo-based Topol-M missile is believed to be '''RS-12M2''', while the mobile version is '''RS-12M1'''.<ref name="janes1"/>

The development of the missile began in the late 1980s as a response to the American [[Strategic Defense Initiative]].<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Bleek|first=Philipp C.|url=https://www.questia.com/read/1P3-56100141|title=Russia Approves Topol-M, Warns Missile Could Defeat U.S. Defense|date=1 June 2000|journal=Arms Control Today|volume=30|issue=5|page=26|access-date=|url-access= |via=}}{{dldead link|date=July 2021}}</ref> Initially an evolutionary upgrade of the [[RT-2PM Topol]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.janes.com/extracts/extract/jsws/jsws0463.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120904131630/http://www.janes.com/extracts/extract/jsws/jsws0463.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=September 4, 2012 |access-date=October 22, 2008 |title=Defense & Security Intelligence & Analysis: IHS Jane's &#124; IHS }}</ref> the missile was redesigned in 1992.{{Citation needed|date=May 2015}} The missile's principal designer was Yuri Solomonov, who would later oversee the development of the [[RSM-56 Bulava]].<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Champlin|first=Luke|url=https://www.questia.com/read/1P3-1893129611/russia-defends-struggling-missile-program|title=Russia Defends Struggling Missile Program|date=October 2009|journal=Arms Control Today|volume=39|issue=8|page=45|access-date=|url-access= |via=}}{{dl|archive-date=July 20212015-05-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150524023257/https://www.questia.com/read/1P3-1893129611/russia-defends-struggling-missile-program|url-status=dead}}</ref>

The first flight test took place on December 20, 1994, during which the missile, launched from [[Plesetsk]], hit its target {{Convert|4,000|mi|km|order=flip}} away.<ref name="Bulletin">{{Cite journal|last1=Norris|first1=Robert S.|last2=Arkin|first2=William M.|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-63794409.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924161731/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-63794409.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=24 September 2015|title=Russian Nuclear Forces, 2000|date=1 July 2000|journal=Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists|access-date=15 May 2015|url-access=subscription |via=[[HighBeam Research]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-15974595.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924142637/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-15974595.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=24 September 2015|title=Russia tested a prototype for a new intercontinental ballistic missile successfully|date=22 December 1994|journal=Defense Daily|access-date=15 May 2015|url-access=subscription |via=[[HighBeam Research]]}}</ref> Two missiles were put on experimental combat duty in December 1997 at [[Tatishchevo (airbase)|Tatishchevo]].<ref name=Bulletin/> The fifth test flight on 22 October 1998 was unsuccessful as the missile exploded after being launched; the sixth test flight two months later was successful.<ref name=Bulletin/> The 104th Regiment of the Taman Missile Division, based in [[Saratov]], introduced 10 missiles into service on 30 December 1998; another ten entered service with a second regiment in December 1999.<ref name=Bulletin/><ref>{{Cite news|first=David|last=Hoffman|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-688535.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160108195934/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-688535.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=8 January 2016|title=Russia Set To Deploy Topol-M Missiles; Move Comes Amid Dispute on Control|date=27 December 1998|newspaper=Washington Post|access-date=15 May 2015|url-access=subscription |via=[[HighBeam Research]]}}</ref>

On December 12, 2006, the first three mobile Topol-M missile systems entered duty with a missile unit stationed near the town of [[Teykovo]].<ref>Strategic Missile Forces spokesman Col. Alexander Vovk, quoted by ''ITAR TASS''.</ref>

By'''Current theStrategic endRocket ofForces 2010Order theof RussianBattle [[Strategiclists Missilethe Troops]]following operatedsites 70with Topol-M missile systems including 52 silo-based and 18 mobile systems. A further 8 missiles were to join the Forces by 2011–2012.:'''<ref name="autogenerated2">{{citeCite journal|author=Strategic Rocket Forces web|url=http://enrussianforces.rian.ruorg/mlitary_newsmissiles/20101217/161823818.html |title=RussiaStrategic addsRocket 2Forces Topol-M– ballisticRussian missiles tostrategic nuclear deterrentforces |publisherjournal=RIARussian Strategic NovostiNuclear Forces |date=2010 2007-12-17 13|access-date=2011-05-23}}</ref>

According to Russia thethis missile and its various versionsderivatives, [[RS-24 Yars]] (SS-27 Mod 2), [[RS-26 Rubezh]] (another SS-27 version) and [[RSM-56 Bulava]] (SLBM version of SS-27) are designed to counter and evade current or planned United States [[missile defense]] system.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2008-05-27-us-russia_N.htm |title=General says Russia will counter U.S. missile defense plans |work=USA Today |date=2008-05-27 |access-date=2011-05-23}}</ref> It is said to be capable of making [[Maneuverable reentry vehicle|evasive maneuvers]] to avoid a kill by interceptors, and carries targeting countermeasures and [[decoy]]s.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5CyD8dla8oM|title=Así es el Topol-M, el misil ruso que burla el Escudo Antimisiles|last=Confidencial Digital|date=11 March 2014|via=YouTube}}</ref>

According to ''[[The Washington Times]]'', Russia has conducted a successful test of the evasive payload delivery system.<ref>{{cite web|last=Washington |first=The |url=http://www.washtimes.com/national/20051120-115514-2217r.htm |title=Russian warhead alters course midflight in test |work=Washington Times |date=2005-11-20 |access-date=2011-05-23}}</ref> The missile was launched on

;{{RUS}}:

The [[Strategic Missile Troops]] are the only operator of the RT-2PM2 Topol-M. As of March 2020,<ref>{{cite journal|title=Russian nuclear forces, 2020 |journal=Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists |volume=76 |issue=2 |pages=73–84 |last1=Kristensen |first1=Hans M. |last2=Korda |first2=Matt |date=9 March 2020 |doi=10.1080/00963402.2020.1728985 |bibcode=2020BuAtS..76b.102K |doi-access=free }}</ref> 60 silo-based and 18 mobile RT-2PM2 Topol-M missiles are deployed with 2 rocket divisions:

* [[Strategic MissileRocket TroopsForces]]

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