| R-5 |
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The R-5 was the first Soviet missile to be armed with a nuclear warhead, the first for which the new southern facility at Dnepropetrovsk took over full design and production responsibility. The R-5 could deliver a 1425 kg warhead over a range of 1200 km, doubling the performance of the R-2. It was also the end of the road in being the ultimate extrapolation of German V-2 technology. Later missiles of both Yangel and Korolev would use other propellants and engine designs. After reaching a velocity of 3044 m/s at burnout, the missile arced up to a maximum altitude 300 km during a 10.5 minute before impacting in the target area with an accuracy of 6 km in range, 5 km laterally. CEP was 1.4 km. The R-5 was designed primarily for delivery of a radiological weapon. It seems not to have been deployed, in preference to the nuclear-tipped R-5M. The R-5 originated as Theme N-1 of the R-3 3000 kg / 3000 km range IRBM project. This proved too big a leap, but the R-3A subscale technology demonstrator was authorised in 1949, before being cancelled in turn in October 1951. As a replacement, an 20 October 1951 MOP decree authorised work to start on the R-5 and R-11. Due to the extensive work already done under Theme N-1, the 6 volume R-5 draft project was completed by Yangel and delivered on 30 November 1951. An official decree was issued in 1952 formally authorising development of the rocket with a 1000 km range specified. The original missile was planned to be equipped with a Pilyugin gyroscopic guidance system and to be built in several versions:
These lateral warheads were evidently deigned for dispersal of radiological liquids over a wide area in the impact zone. Such radiological warheads were used on the R-2 and R-5 prior to the availability of nuclear warheads. Similar weapons were discussed at Los Alamos during World War II when it seemed that the atomic bomb would not be ready in time or not work. In this case radioactive waste could be dispersed over a wide area, effectively providing the fallout effects of a nuclear bomb without the blast and fire effects. The Generator-S radiological warhead for the R-5 was developed in the early 1950's. In order to handle the warhead OKBT Kirov Factory built the shielded manipulator vehicle Objekt 805, which had a total mass of 72 tonnes. Following a demonstration of 20 May 1954 the system was accepted by the military in 1955. In parallel with warhead development qualification and stand test of the missiles systems were conducted from December 1951 through February 1952. Ten rockets were built in the initial lot, of which two were used for stand tests. Trials of the two test rockets began in 1953 at Filial NII-2 at Zagorsk. A state decree of 13 February 1953 set forth three phases of state trials tests for the missile itself:
Following completion of the trials the missile was accepted for military service. It seems very limited numbers or no R-5's at all actually entered service. The R-5M version with nuclear warhead was deployed instead. Special variants of the R-5 were used until well into the 1970's for test of equipment, scientific research. These included the R-5A, R-5B, R-5V, and Vertikal. The R-5 was generally built of Amr3 aluminium-magnesium alloy. The tail section was initially built of steel, later being changed to D16T aluminium alloy. Spetsmash built the mobile launch system, similar to that for the V-2. It took two hours to prepare an R-5 for launch. Manufacturer: Korolev. Launches: 182. Failures: 11. Success Rate: 93.96%. First Launch Date: 1953-03-15. Last Launch Date: 1983-10-20. Launch data is: incomplete. to a: 1200 km range trajectory. Apogee: 300 km (180 mi). Associated Spacecraft: Suborbital Cabin. Liftoff Thrust: 430.100 kN (96,690 lbf). Total Mass: 28,625 kg (63,107 lb). Core Diameter: 1.65 m (5.42 ft). Total Length: 21.34 m (70.01 ft). Span: 1.68 m (5.51 ft). Standard warhead mass: 1,350 kg (2,970 lb). Maximum range: 1,190 km (730 mi). Number Standard Warheads: 1. Standard warhead CEP: 5.16 km (3.20 mi). Guidance: Command Link. Maximum speed: 10,980 kph (6,820 mph). Ceiling: 299,400 m (982,200 ft).
R-5M.
The R-5M was the first Soviet missile to be armed with a nuclear warhead, and the first to launch a live nuclear warhead in test. The technical characteristics were virtually the same as those of the R-5 basic model, except for an increase in the propellant load. 48 launchers were deployed from 1956 to 1968, tipped with nuclear warheads of 80 kiloton, 300 kiloton, or 1 megaton. The explosion of the RD5-6 400 kiloton warhead at Semiplatinsk on 12 August 1953 proved the design of a lightweight thermonuclear warhead. Korolev began work in 1953 to develop a re-entry vehicle for this warhead. Formal authorisation to begin work on a nuclear-tipped version of the R-5 came in a decree of 10 April 1954. Sadoviy and Kozlov were named to lead the project. Based substantially on the R-5, it used the 8U25 launch portable launch stand. The first phase of flight trials were conducted from 21 January to July 1955. Of the 14 launches, 13 were successful. The second phase in August-November 1955 consisted of 10 successful launches at ranges of 1083 to 1190 km. This cleared the way for a final test series leading to the first rocket-delivered test of a Soviet atomic bomb. The series of 5 launches began on 11 January 1956 with launch of a dummy warhead. The test with a live weapon came on 2 February 1956, with the successful launch of the design for an 80 kt warhead over a 1200 km range - from Kaputsin Yar. Area 4N to a point near Priaralsk Karakum, 150 km north-east of the Aral Sea. It was heavily classified that the prototype warhead was a fizzle when it exploded - planned yield was 70 kt, but actual yield was 300 tonnes. The problem was traced to a failed heating element on the warhead. Some sources give the yield of this test as 300 kt, but this seems to stem from a common Soviet disinformation practice. Even in classified documents, nuclear weapon yields were often given incorrectly by a factor of ten or in different units. The idea was that if you were a spy, you would be deceived, but if you were in the know, you'd recognize the error and the reason for it. Therefore a 300 t fizzled yield might be listed in some official documents as 300 kt. The R-5M was accepted by the military on 21 July 1956. Deployment of the missile began in 1956 in brigades of six launchers. Due to the nuclear warhead, specially trained engineering brigades had to be formed. The launch preparations had to be made meticulously and the final launch procedure was automated. Initially it took 30 hours to prepare the rocket for launch, but this was reduced to 5 to 6 hours after several years of service. The rocket had to be launched quickly after loading the uninsulated liquid oxygen tank. The gyroscopic guidance system was supplemented by radio control of the pitch angle of the missile in flight. To store and install the nuclear warheads special units of the Ministry of Defence were formed. These originated in 1949 as the Sixth Directorate of the Ministry of Military Forces of the USSR. Deployment of the R-5M in 1956 caused the First Military Subdivision, consisting of two brigades, to be formed. The parent organisation was transformed according to a 23 November 1957 decree to the Twelfth General Directorate of the Ministry of Defence, charged with the development, trials, deployment, and security of nuclear warheads. From December 1959 this directorate's activities were limited specifically to safekeeping of the warheads of the RSVN rocket forces. In May 1963, as the number of ballistic missiles deployed increased, a specialised Subdirectorate for Nuclear Operations was formed within the Twelfth Directorate. As of 1965 the warheads were still stored separately form Soviet ballistic missiles. In 1966 the individual nuclear weapons units were made an integrated part of the operational rocket field units. In 1972, as the last open-pad missiles were retired, it was decided to mount all warheads on the silo-based missiles in instant readiness for launch. On 28 November 1974, its operational tasks finished, the 12th Directorate was placed under the Ministry of Defence. In its place the RSVN created a Sixth Directorate for security of nuclear weapons. A total of 48 R-5M launchers were built, and deployed in brigades of six launchers each or regiments of four launchers each. The basic field unit was the division, each division of two batteries, each with a single launcher. The unit histories were as follows:
By the end of 1956 24 launchers were deployed, increasing to the final total of 48 by the end of 1957. Perhaps 200 missiles were built. In 1953 and 1955 the Ministry of Defence studied field deployments of the R-1, R-2, and R-5 to East Germany, but nothing came of these studies. A 26 March 1955 decree of the Communist Party ordered deployment of the 72nd brigade to East Germany, and the 73th to Bulgaria, but these were not carried out. Finally a January 1959 a government decree ordered the 72nd brigade to deploy to East Germany for a test deployment. In 10 May 1959 the first extended field deployment from a field location was undertaken during Army exercises at Simferopol. This was the first field deployment with nuclear weapons in Soviet history and verified the ability of the ballistic missile systems to operate in an integrated manner with the ground forces.. The R-5M was formally accepted into military service in 1960. The missile continued in service until 1968. Three nuclear warheads were used with the R-5M, apparently all of similar 1350 kg mass: a 40 to 80 kt fission warhead; a 300 kiloton boosted fission or fusion warhead; and a 1 megaton fusion warhead. The R-5M had a propellant capacity 1930 kg greater than that of the basic R-5 - 10,010 kg alcohol, and 13,990 kg liquid oxygen. Versions of the R-5M were used for technology tests. The R-5RD or M5RD was flown 10 times from 15 February to 18 August 1956 to test subsystems for the R-7 ICBM. From 24 November to 30 December 1956 R-5M's were launched as targets for the V-1000 anti-ballistic missile system. Launches: 53. Success Rate: 100.00%. First Launch Date: 1955-01-20. Last Launch Date: 1962-10-28. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi). Liftoff Thrust: 420.000 kN (94,410 lbf). Total Mass: 28,610 kg (63,070 lb). Core Diameter: 1.65 m (5.42 ft). Total Length: 20.75 m (68.07 ft). Standard warhead mass: 1,350 kg (2,970 lb). Maximum range: 1,200 km (700 mi). Number Standard Warheads: 1. Standard warhead yield: 1,000 KT. Number Alternate Warheads: 1. Alternate warhead yield: 80 KT.
R-5A.
Vertical launch version of the R-5 missile for geophysical experiments retaining the nose cone of the IRBM, but equipped with a parachute recovery system. Experiments carried included solar ultraviolet spectroscopes, mass spectrometers for atmospheric composition studies, and capsules carrying dogs for zero-gravity biologically research.
Launches: 39. Failures: 1. Success Rate: 97.44%. First Launch Date: 1958-02-21. Last Launch Date: 1965-05-26. Apogee: 300 km (180 mi). Liftoff Thrust: 430.000 kN (96,660 lbf). Total Mass: 24,400 kg (53,700 lb). Core Diameter: 1.66 m (5.44 ft). Total Length: 20.70 m (67.90 ft).
R-5V.
Vertical launch version of the R-5 missile for geophysical experiments under the Vertikal international program, equipped with a spherical re-entry capsule and a parachute recovery system. A wide range of international astrophysics and geophysics instruments were carried.
Launches: 15. First Launch Date: 1959-06-21. Last Launch Date: 1983-10-20. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi). Liftoff Thrust: 430.000 kN (96,660 lbf). Total Mass: 24,400 kg (53,700 lb). Core Diameter: 1.66 m (5.44 ft). Total Length: 21.20 m (69.50 ft).
R-5B.
Launches: 7. First Launch Date: 1962-10-18. Last Launch Date: 1965-10-01. Apogee: 300 km (180 mi). Liftoff Thrust: 430.000 kN (96,660 lbf). Total Mass: 24,400 kg (53,700 lb). Core Diameter: 1.66 m (5.44 ft). Total Length: 20.70 m (67.90 ft).
R-5 VAO.
Vertical launch version of the R-5 missile for geophysical experiments using the High-Altitude Automatic Geophysical Station nose cone originally flown on the R-11, equipped with a parachute recovery system. . Experiments carried in the gyro-stabilised payload included solar ultraviolet spectroscopes and x-ray pinhole cameras.
Launches: 2. Failures: 1. First Launch Date: 1964-09-26. Last Launch Date: 1965-10-13. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi). Liftoff Thrust: 430.000 kN (96,660 lbf). Total Mass: 24,400 kg (53,700 lb). Core Diameter: 1.66 m (5.44 ft). Total Length: 21.20 m (69.50 ft).
R-5 Chronology 1946 October 23 - Groettrup team transported to Soviet Union. In overnight roundup, 20,000 Germans transported to USSR to transfer technology on aerospace and other technical fields. 1949 December 7 - Groettrup G-4 IRBM evaluated against Korolev's R-3. R-3 project reformulated The NTS (Scientific-Technical Soviet) of NII-88 met in plenary session and subjected Korolev's proposal to withering criticism. The G-4 was found to be superior. After heated discussion, the Soviet approved further development of technology for the R-3, but not the missile itself. The decisions were: an R-3A technology demonstrator would be built and flown under Project N-1 (probably to prove G-4 concepts). Under Project N-2 both the RD-110 and D-2 engines would proceed into development test in order to prove Lox/Kerosene propellant technology. Packet rocket and lightweight structure research for use in an ICBM would continue under project N-3 / T-1. Winged intercontinental cruise missile studies would continue under project N-3 / T-2. Neither the G-4 or R-3 ended up in production, but the design concepts of the G-4 led directly to Korolev's R-7 ICBM (essentially a cluster of G-4's or R-3A's) and the N1 superbooster. Work on the G-4 continued through 1952. 1951 October 20 - MOP decree authorised work to start on the R-5 and R-11. The R-3 3000 km range missile and R-3A subscale technology demonstrator were cancelled. As a replacement work was to start on the R-5 and R-11. The missiles originated as Theme N-2 of the R-3 project. This was an alternate approach to delivering nuclear warheads on West European targets - road-mobile or sub-launched missiles of shorter range with lighter warheads that could be launched from forward areas and reach enemy targets. 1951 November 30 - R-5, R-11 draft projects completed. Due to the extensive work already done under the Theme N-2, the 6 volume R-5 and 8 volume R-11 draft projects were delivered in record time. 1952 During the Year - R-5 IRBM qualification and stand test begun Stand test of the missiles systems were conducted through February 1952. Ten rockets were built in the initial lot, of which two were used for stand tests. Trials of the two test rockets began in 1953 at Filial NII-2 at Zagorsk. 1953 February 13 - Authorisation for development of Soviet intermediate and intercontinental range missiles. Council of Soviet Ministers (SM) Decree 'On approval of work on themes T1 and T2, on approval of work on the R-5, R-11, and EKR missiles, and on transferring draft project work for the R-12 from NII-88 to SKB-586' was issued. The decree set forth three phases of state trials tests for the R-5 missile. 1953 March 15 - Kapustin Yar V-2. FAILURE: Failure. Phase I state trials launch Agency: NII-88. Apogee: 0 km ( mi). Unsuccessful. First Phase I trials launch of the 8 remaining rockets of the first production lot were fired, of which 6 reached the target area. The first launch was on 15 March 1953. The first successful flight was on 2 April 1953. The first full range flight came on 19 April 1953. 1953 March 18 - Kapustin Yar V-2. FAILURE: Failure. Phase I state trials launch Agency: NII-88. Apogee: 0 km ( mi). 1953 April 1 - Kapustin Yar V-2. Phase I state trials launch Agency: NII-88. Apogee: 300 km (180 mi). Of the 8 rockets of the first production lot fired, 6 reached the target area. 1953 April 2 - Kapustin Yar V-2. Phase I state trials launch Agency: NII-88. Apogee: 300 km (180 mi). 1953 April 8 - Kapustin Yar V-2. FAILURE: Failure. Phase I state trials launch Agency: NII-88. Apogee: 0 km ( mi). 1953 May 1 - Kapustin Yar V-2. Phase I state trials launch Agency: NII-88. Apogee: 300 km (180 mi). 1953 May 1 - Kapustin Yar V-2. Phase I state trials launch Agency: NII-88. Apogee: 300 km (180 mi). Range achieved 270 km. First test launch of R-5. 1953 May 23 - Kapustin Yar V-2. Phase I state trials launch Agency: NII-88. Apogee: 300 km (180 mi). Completion of first series of 8 R-5 flight tests. 2 achieved 270 km range, 5, 1200 km range, and one, 550 km range. 1953 August 12 - Test of 400 kiloton lightweight thermonuclear warhead The explosion of the RD5-6 400 kiloton warhead at Semiplatinsk proved the design of a lightweight thermonuclear warhead. Korolev began work in 1953 to develop a re-entry vehicle for this warhead. 1953 October 30 - Kapustin Yar V-2. State trials Phase 2 launch Agency: NII-88. Apogee: 300 km (180 mi). Through December 1953 there were 7 Phase II launches, one of which was unsuccessful. A maximum range of 1185 km was reached. 1953 November 1 - Kapustin Yar V-2. Phase 2 state trials launch Agency: NII-88. Apogee: 300 km (180 mi). 1953 November 1 - Kapustin Yar V-2. Phase 2 state trials launch Agency: NII-88. Apogee: 300 km (180 mi). 1953 November 1 - Kapustin Yar V-2. Phase 2 state trials launch Agency: NII-88. Apogee: 300 km (180 mi). 1953 November 1 - Kapustin Yar V-2. Phase 2 state trials launch Agency: NII-88. Apogee: 300 km (180 mi). 1953 December 1 - Kapustin Yar V-2. Phase 2 state trials launch Agency: NII-88. Apogee: 300 km (180 mi). 1953 December 9 - Kapustin Yar V-2. Phase 2 state trials launch Agency: NII-88. Apogee: 300 km (180 mi). 1954 April 10 - OKB-586 founded and nuclear-tipped R-5M IRBM development authorised. Council of Soviet Ministers (SM) Decree 'On approval of work on the R-5M missile and on establishment of OKB-586 at Dnepropetrovsk Plant No. 586' was issued. Sadoviy and Kozlov were named to lead the project. Based substantially on the R-5, it used the 8U25 launch portable launch stand. 1954 May 20 - R-7 full-scale development authorised. Council of Soviet Ministers (SM) Decree 956-4088s 'On approval of work on the R-7 ICBM, R-5R, and M5RD missiles' was issued. 1954 May 20 - R-5 radiological warhead handling system demonstrated The Generator-S radiological warhead for the R-5 was developed in the early 1950's. In order to handle the warhead OKBT Kirov Factory built the shielded manipulator vehicle Objekt 805, which had a total mass of 72 tonnes. Following the demonstration the system was accepted by the military in 1955. 1954 August 1 - Kapustin Yar V-2. Phase 3 state trials launch Agency: NII-88. Apogee: 300 km (180 mi). Through February 1955 the state acceptance trials for the production missile were conducted. 19 launches were made, 10 of which passed the acceptance criteria, 5 did not, and 4 were used for test of the new radio-correction guidance system. This used the R-5R variant of the missile; one of those four tests was unsuccessful. 1954 August 1 - Kapustin Yar V-2. Phase 3 state trials launch Agency: NII-88. Apogee: 300 km (180 mi). 1954 August 12 - Kapustin Yar V-2. Phase 3 state trials launch Agency: NII-88. Apogee: 300 km (180 mi). 1954 September 1 - Kapustin Yar V-2. Phase 3 state trials launch Agency: NII-88. Apogee: 300 km (180 mi). 1954 September 1 - Kapustin Yar V-2. Phase 3 state trials launch Agency: NII-88. Apogee: 300 km (180 mi). 1954 September 1 - Kapustin Yar V-2. Phase 3 state trials launch Agency: NII-88. Apogee: 300 km (180 mi). 1954 October 1 - Kapustin Yar V-2. Phase 3 state trials launch Agency: NII-88. Apogee: 300 km (180 mi). 1954 October 1 - Kapustin Yar V-2. Phase 3 state trials launch Agency: NII-88. Apogee: 300 km (180 mi). 1954 October 1 - Kapustin Yar V-2. Phase 3 state trials launch Agency: NII-88. Apogee: 300 km (180 mi). 1954 November 1 - Kapustin Yar V-2. Phase 3 state trials launch Agency: NII-88. Apogee: 300 km (180 mi). 1954 November 1 - Kapustin Yar V-2. Phase 3 state trials launch Agency: NII-88. Apogee: 300 km (180 mi). 1954 November 1 - Kapustin Yar V-2. Phase 3 state trials launch Agency: NII-88. Apogee: 300 km (180 mi). 1954 December 1 - Kapustin Yar V-2. Phase 3 state trials launch Agency: NII-88. Apogee: 300 km (180 mi). 1954 December 1 - Kapustin Yar V-2. Phase 3 state trials launch Agency: NII-88. Apogee: 300 km (180 mi). 1954 December 1 - Kapustin Yar V-2. Phase 3 state trials launch Agency: NII-88. Apogee: 300 km (180 mi). 1955 January 1 - Kapustin Yar V-2. State trials Phase III launch Agency: NII-88. Apogee: 300 km (180 mi). The second phase in August-November 1955 consisted of 10 successful launches at ranges of 1083 to 1190 km. This cleared the way for a final test series leading to the first rocket-delivered test of a Soviet atomic bomb. 1955 January 1 - Kapustin Yar V-2. State trials Phase III launch Agency: NII-88. Apogee: 300 km (180 mi). 1955 January 1 - Kapustin Yar V-2. State trials Phase III launch Agency: NII-88. Apogee: 300 km (180 mi). 1955 January 20 - Kapustin Yar V-2. ZI test Agency: NII-88. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi). 1955 February 1 - Kapustin Yar V-2. ZI test launch Agency: NII-88. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi). The first phase of flight trials were conducted from 21 January to July 1955. Of the 14 launches, 13 were successful. 1955 February 1 - Kapustin Yar V-2. ZI test Agency: NII-88. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi). 1955 February 7 - Kapustin Yar V-2. Phase 3 state trials launch Agency: NII-88. Apogee: 300 km (180 mi). 1955 March 1 - Kapustin Yar V-2. ZI test Agency: NII-88. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi). 1955 March 1 - Kapustin Yar V-2. ZI test Agency: NII-88. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi). 1955 April 1 - Kapustin Yar V-2. ZI test Agency: NII-88. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi). 1955 April 1 - Kapustin Yar V-2. ZI test Agency: NII-88. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi). 1955 May 1 - Kapustin Yar V-2. State trials missile test Agency: NII-88. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi). 1955 May 1 - Kapustin Yar V-2. State trials missile test Agency: NII-88. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi). 1955 June 6 - Kapustin Yar V-2. State trials missile test Agency: NII-88. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi). 1955 June 22 - Kapustin Yar V-2. State trials missile test Agency: NII-88. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi). 1955 June 23 - Kapustin Yar V-2. State trials missile test Agency: NII-88. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi). 1955 July 1 - Kapustin Yar V-2. State trials missile test Agency: NII-88. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi). 1955 July 9 - Kapustin Yar V-2. State trials missile test Agency: NII-88. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi). 1955 August 1 - Kapustin Yar V-2. PI state trials launch Agency: NII-88. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi). 1955 August 9 - Kapustin Yar V-2. PI state trials launch Agency: NII-88. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi). 1955 September 1 - Kapustin Yar V-2. Test mission Agency: NII-88. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi). 1955 September 1 - Kapustin Yar V-2. PI state trials launch Agency: NII-88. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi). 1955 September 1 - Kapustin Yar V-2. Test mission Agency: NII-88. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi). 1955 October 1 - Kapustin Yar V-2. Test mission Agency: NII-88. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi). 1955 October 1 - Kapustin Yar V-2. Test mission Agency: NII-88. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi). 1955 November 1 - Kapustin Yar V-2. Test mission Agency: NII-88. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi). 1955 November 1 - Kapustin Yar V-2. Test mission Agency: NII-88. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi). 1955 November 19 - Kapustin Yar V-2. Test mission Agency: NII-88. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi). 1956 January 1 - Kapustin Yar V-2. Certification test Agency: NII-88. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi). 1956 January 1 - Kapustin Yar V-2. Certification test Agency: NII-88. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi). 1956 January 1 - Kapustin Yar V-2. Certification test Agency: NII-88. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi). The series of 5 launches began on 11 January 1956 with launch of a dummy warhead. 1956 January 1 - Kapustin Yar V-2. Certification test Agency: NII-88. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi). 1956 February 1 - Kapustin Yar V-2. R-5M M-5RD R-7 component test Agency: MVS. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi). 1956 February 2 - Kapustin Yar V-2. BAYKAL Nuclear test Agency: MVS. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi). The R-5M successfully launched an 80 kiloton (300 kiloton according to some sources) warhead over a 1200 km range - from Kaputsin Yar Area 4N to a point near Priaralsk Karakum, 150 km north-east of the Aral Sea. 1956 February 16 - Kapustin Yar V-2. R-5M M-5RD R-7 component test Agency: MVS. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi). The R-5RD or M5RD was flown to test subsystems for the R-7 ICBM. 1956 February 27 - Soviet Leadership tours Korolev's design bureau Khrushchev, Molotov, Bulganin, and other leaders are given a tour of Korolev’s OKB-1 in Kaliningrad. They are shown the R-1, R-2 and R-5 missiles as well as a mock-up of the R-7 and are awed. Ustinov reports that only five warheads would be needed to destroy Britain, and seven to nine for France. The need for the R-12 was discussed - the longer range was essential so that the missiles could be based farther from NATO’s borders (the experience of the German invasion and quick destruction of forward-based units and equipment was on everyone’s minds). 1956 March 1 - Kapustin Yar V-2. R-5M M-5RD R-7 component test Agency: MVS. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi). 1956 March 1 - Kapustin Yar V-2. R-5M M-5RD R-7 component test Agency: MVS. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi). 1956 March 23 - Kapustin Yar V-2. R-5M M-5RD R-7 component test Agency: MVS. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi). 1956 May 15 - Kapustin Yar V-2. R-5M R-5R Radio guidance test Agency: MVS. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi). 1956 June 1 - Kapustin Yar V-2. R-5M R-5R Radio guidance test Agency: MVS. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi). 1956 June 15 - Kapustin Yar V-2. R-5M R-5R Radio guidance test Agency: MVS. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi). 1956 June 20 - Sounding rocket variants of R-2 and R-5 authorised. Decree 'MOP On production of the R-5A and R-2A scientific missiles at Plant No. 586' was issued. 1956 June 21 - R-5M - the first nuclear Soviet ballistic missile - is accepted into military service. Decree 'On adoption of the R-5M into armaments' was issued. Deployment of the missile began in 1956 in brigades of six launchers. Initially it took 30 hours to prepare the rocket for launch, but this was reduced to 5 to 6 hours after several years of service. 1956 July 1 - Kapustin Yar V-2. R-5M M-5RD R-7 component test Agency: MVS. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi). 1956 July 20 - Kapustin Yar V-2. R-5M M-5RD R-7 component test Agency: MVS. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi). 1956 August 1 - Kapustin Yar V-2. R-5M M-5RD R-7 component test Agency: MVS. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi). 1956 August 1 - Kapustin Yar V-2. R-5M M-5RD R-7 component test Agency: MVS. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi). 1956 August 18 - Kapustin Yar V-2. R-5M M-5RD R-7 component test Agency: MVS. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi). The R-5RD or M5RD was flown 10 times to test subsystems for the R-7 ICBM. 1956 November 24 - First R-5 launch as ABM target R-5M's launched as targets for the V-1000 anti-ballistic missile system. 1956 December 30 - Final R-5 launch as ABM target R-5M's launched as targets for the V-1000 anti-ballistic missile system. 1957 January 19 - Kapustin Yar V-2. Nuclear test Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi). 1957 November 23 - Special units formed to handle ICBM/IRBM nuclear warheads Deployment of the R-5M in 1956 caused the Sixth Directorate of the Ministry of Military Forces of the USSR's First Military Subdivision, consisting of two brigades, to be formed. The need for a new arrangement for safeguarding nuclear weapons deployed with field units led to a decree replacing the Sixth Directorate with a Twelfth General Directorate of the Ministry of Defence, charged with the development, trials, deployment, and security of nuclear warheads. 1958 February 21 - 07:40 GMT - Kapustin Yar V-2. Ionosphere / biology mission Agency: AN SSSR. Apogee: 470 km (290 mi). 1958 February 21 - 08:42 GMT - Kapustin Yar V-2. Aeronomy / ionosphere mission Agency: AN SSSR. Apogee: 400 km (240 mi). Some reports say that one of the four launches this day carried the dogs Palma and Pushok. The dogs were said to have died due to cabin decompression. Rumors of the death of a 'cosmonaut Shiborin' can perhaps be attributed to this incident, if indeed it did occur. 1958 February 21 - 15:20 GMT - Kapustin Yar V-2. Ionosphere / solar ultraviolet / meteorites mission Agency: AN SSSR. Apogee: 473 km (293 mi). 1958 August 27 - 06:05 GMT - Kapustin Yar V-2. Infrared atmosphere Aeronomy / ionosphere / biology mission Agency: AN SSSR. Apogee: 450 km (270 mi). 1958 August 27 - 12:40 GMT - Kapustin Yar V-2. Aeronomy / ionosphere / fields / mission Agency: AN SSSR. Apogee: 450 km (270 mi). Carried dogs Belyanka and Pestraya to 450 km altitude. 1958 September 19 - 00:48 GMT - Kapustin Yar V-2. E-1 Sodium test Aeronomy/Ionosphere/Meteorite mission Agency: AN SSSR. Apogee: 430 km (260 mi). Carried dogs to 430 km altitude. 1958 October 31 - 11:54 GMT - Kapustin Yar V-2. Infrared atmosphere Ionosphere / solar / biology mission Agency: AN SSSR. Apogee: 410 km (250 mi). Carried dogs to 415 km altitude. 1958 November 1 - Kapustin Yar V-2. Nuclear test Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi). 1958 November 3 - Kapustin Yar V-2. Nuclear test Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi). 1958 November 3 - Chelkar -. NIIP-A Target Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi). 1958 November 4 - Chelkar -. NIIP-A Target Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi). 1958 November 5 - Chelkar -. NIIP-A Target Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi). 1958 November 21 - 06:08 GMT - Kapustin Yar V-2. Ionosphere mission Agency: AN SSSR. Apogee: 460 km (280 mi). 1958 December 11 - Chelkar -. NIIP-A Target Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi). 1958 December 14 - Chelkar -. NIIP-A Target Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi). 1959 February - First deployment to Germany of nuclear-tipped R-5M IRBM's The 72nd Brigade had actually been formed in Germany in 1946, to assist in testing of V-2 technology. It later moved to Kaputsin Yar, where it had conducted the first R-1 trials. In 1955 it was moved to Medved, Novgorod, to form the first R-5 brigade. In January 1959 it was redeployed to Gvardeisk, Kaliningrad. Then two divisions were detached for a test German deployment - one division by train, the control division by airplane to Templin air base. The divisions deployed over a wide area of north-east East Germany. The total deployment consisted of 4 launchers and 12 rockets. In August-September 1959 the divisions returned to Gvardeisk and began conversion to R-12. 1959 May 10 - First extended field deployment of a nuclear Soviet IRBM The first extended field deployment of the R-5M from a field location was undertaken during Army exercises at Simferopol. This was the first field deployment with nuclear weapons in Soviet history and verified the ability of the ballistic missile systems to operate in an integrated manner with the ground forces. The R-5M was formally accepted into military service in 1960. The missile continued in service until 1968. 1959 June 21 - Kapustin Yar V-2. Solar x-ray mission Agency: AN SSSR. Apogee: 400 km (240 mi). 1959 December - Twelfth General Directorate of the Ministry of Defence charged only with ballistic missile warhead safekeeping This directorate's activities were limited specifically to safekeeping of the warheads of the RSVN rocket forces. 1959 December 1 - Chelkar -. NIIP-A Target Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi). 1959 December 26 - Chelkar -. NIIP-A Target Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi). 1960 June 10 - Chelkar -. NIIP-A Target Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi). 1960 July 1 - Chelkar -. NIIP-A Target Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi). 1960 July 20 - Chelkar -. NIIP-A Target Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi). 1960 November 5 - Chelkar -. R-5 V-1000 target FAILURE: Failure. Target mission Agency: OKB-30. Apogee: 300 km (180 mi). 1960 November 17 - Chelkar -. NIIP-A Target Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi). 1960 November 24 - Chelkar -. FAILURE: Failure. NIIP-A Target Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 0 km ( mi). 1960 December 8 - Chelkar -. R-5 V-1000 target FAILURE: Failure. Target mission Agency: OKB-30. Apogee: 300 km (180 mi). 1960 December 10 - Chelkar -. R-5 V-1000 target Target mission Agency: OKB-30. Apogee: 300 km (180 mi). 1960 December 17 - Chelkar -. R-5 V-1000 target Target mission Agency: OKB-30. Apogee: 300 km (180 mi). 1960 December 22 - Chelkar -. R-5 V-1000 target Target mission Agency: OKB-30. Apogee: 300 km (180 mi). 1960 December 23 - Chelkar -. R-5 V-1000 target Target mission Agency: OKB-30. Apogee: 300 km (180 mi). 1960 December 24 - Chelkar -. R-5 V-1000 target Target mission Agency: OKB-30. Apogee: 300 km (180 mi). 1960 December 31 - Chelkar -. R-5 V-1000 target Target mission Agency: OKB-30. Apogee: 300 km (180 mi). 1961 January 13 - Kapustin Yar V-2. R-5 V-1000 target Target mission Agency: OKB-30. Apogee: 300 km (180 mi). 1961 January 14 - Kapustin Yar V-2. R-5 V-1000 target Target mission Agency: OKB-30. Apogee: 300 km (180 mi). 1961 February 18 - Kapustin Yar V-2. R-5 V-1000 target Target mission Agency: OKB-30. Apogee: 300 km (180 mi). 1961 February 22 - Kapustin Yar V-2. R-5 V-1000 target Target mission Agency: OKB-30. Apogee: 300 km (180 mi). 1961 March 26 - Kapustin Yar V-2. R-5 V-1000 target Target mission Agency: OKB-30. Apogee: 300 km (180 mi). 1961 July 19 - Kapustin Yar -. R-5 UNK D04B Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi). 1961 July 19 - Kapustin Yar -. R-5 UNK D04B Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi). 1961 August 11 - Kapustin Yar -. R-5 UNK D04B Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi). 1961 August 11 - Kapustin Yar -. R-5 UNK D04B Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi). 1961 August 17 - Kapustin Yar -. R-5 UNK FAILURE: Failure. D04B Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi). 1961 August 17 - Kapustin Yar -. R-5 UNK D04B Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi). 1961 August 22 - Kapustin Yar -. R-5 UNK D04B Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi). 1961 August 22 - Kapustin Yar -. R-5 UNK FAILURE: Failure. D04B Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi). 1961 August 24 - Kapustin Yar -. R-5 UNK D04B Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi). 1961 August 25 - Kapustin Yar -. R-5 UNK D04B Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi). 1961 August 25 - Kapustin Yar -. R-5 UNK D04B Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi). 1961 September 6 - Kapustin Yar V-2. Nuclear test Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi). 1961 October 4 - Chelkar -. NIIP-A Target Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi). 1961 October 6 - Kapustin Yar V-2. Nuclear test Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi). 1961 October 21 - Kapustin Yar V-2. Aeronomy mission Agency: AN SSSR. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi). 1961 October 21 - Kapustin Yar V-2. Aeronomy mission Agency: AN SSSR. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi). 1961 October 22 - Kapustin Yar -. R-5 UNK D04B Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi). 1961 October 23 - Chelkar -. NIIP-A Target Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi). 1961 October 24 - Kapustin Yar -. R-5 UNK D04B Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi). 1961 October 25 - Kapustin Yar -. R-5 UNK FAILURE: Failure. D04B Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi). 1961 October 26 - Kapustin Yar -. R-5 UNK FAILURE: Failure. D04B Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi). 1961 October 27 - Kapustin Yar V-2. Nuclear Test K-2 Nuclear test Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 180 km (110 mi). Two R-12's (other sources say R-5M's or an R-12 and an R-5M) were salvo fired, at least one with a live nuclear warhead, to Sary Shagan to support ABM-related research on the effects of nuclear explosions on rocket systems. 1961 October 27 - Kapustin Yar V-2. Nuclear Test K-1 Nuclear test Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 300 km (180 mi). Two R-12's (other sources say R-5M's or an R-12 and an R-5M) were salvo fired, at least one with a live nuclear warhead, to Sary Shagan to support ABM-related research on the effects of nuclear explosions on rocket systems. 1961 October 28 - Kapustin Yar -. R-5 UNK D04B Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi). 1961 November 15 - 13:00 GMT - Kapustin Yar V-2. Aeronomy / ionosphere / Fields mission Agency: AN SSSR. Apogee: 430 km (260 mi). 1961 December 23 - Chelkar -. NIIP-A Target Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi). 1961 December 26 - Chelkar -. NIIP-A Target Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi). 1961 December 26 - Chelkar -. NIIP-A Target Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi). 1961 December 29 - Chelkar -. NIIP-A Target Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi). 1961 December 29 - Chelkar -. NIIP-A Target Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi). 1961 December 30 - Chelkar -. NIIP-A Target Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi). 1962 March 28 - Chelkar -. NIIP-A Target Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi). 1962 April 8 - Chelkar -. NIIP-A Target Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi). 1962 April 11 - Chelkar -. NIIP-A Target Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi). 1962 April 12 - Chelkar -. NIIP-A Target Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi). 1962 October 18 - Kapustin Yar V-2. Ionosphere mission Agency: AN SSSR. Apogee: 508 km (315 mi). 1962 October 22 - Kapustin Yar V-2. Aeronomy mission Agency: AN SSSR. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi). 1962 October 22 - Kapustin Yar -. Nuclear test K-3 Nuclear test Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi). The R-12 (other sources say an R-5M) launched a live thermonuclear warheads toward Sary Shagan which was detonated at an altitude of 300 km. High altitude tests designed to test electromagnetic pulse effects on electronics, especially ABM system radars. 1962 October 28 - Kapustin Yar -. Nuclear test K-4 Nuclear test Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi). In a test of nuclear fratricide and ABM effectiveness, an R-5M (some sources say an R-12) launched a live thermonuclear warhead toward Semipalitinsk/Sary Shagan which was detonated at an altitude of 150 km. Two R-9 ICBM's were launched minutes earlier, timed to pass through the zone of the explosion. Both missiles guided to the planned impact zone without apparent ill-effect. This high altitude test was designed to test electromagnetic pulse effects on electronics, especially ABM system radars and incoming 'friendly' ICBM's. 1963 May - Subdirectorate for Nuclear Operations was formed within the Twelfth Directorate As the number of ballistic missiles deployed increased, a specialised Subdirectorate for Nuclear Operations was formed within the Twelfth Directorate. 1963 June 6 - 00:30 GMT - Kapustin Yar V-2. VAO Ionosphere / plasma mission Agency: AN SSSR. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi). 1963 June 18 - 00:30 GMT - Kapustin Yar V-2. VAO Aeronomy / ionosphere mission Agency: AN SSSR. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi). 1963 July 6 - 00:36 GMT - Kapustin Yar V-2. Aeronomy mission Agency: AN SSSR. Apogee: 400 km (240 mi). 1963 October 25 - Kapustin Yar V-2. VAO Aeronomy mission Agency: AN SSSR. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi). 1963 December 24 - Kapustin Yar V-2. VAO Aeronomy mission Agency: AN SSSR. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi). 1964 September 26 - 03:50 GMT - Kapustin Yar LC84. FAILURE: Failure. VAO Ionosphere mission Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi). 1965 April 22 - Kapustin Yar V-2. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi). 1965 April 24 - Kapustin Yar V-2. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi). 1965 April 26 - 14:13 GMT - Kapustin Yar V-2. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi). 1965 May 25 - Kapustin Yar V-2. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi). 1965 May 26 - Kapustin Yar V-2. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi). 1965 September 20 - 03:27 GMT - Kapustin Yar V-2. Test / ionosphere / solar x-ray mission Agency: AN SSSR. Apogee: 480 km (290 mi). 1965 October 1 - 03:57 GMT - Kapustin Yar V-2. Ionosphere / solar x-rays mission Agency: AN SSSR. Apogee: 480 km (290 mi). 1965 October 13 - Kapustin Yar V-2. VAO Ionosphere mission Agency: AN SSSR. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi). 1966 - Twelfth Directorate nuclear weapons units an integrated part operational rocket field units Up to 1965 the warheads were still stored separately form Soviet ballistic missiles. This was changed so that the individual nuclear weapons units were made an integrated part of the operational rocket field units. 1966 October 13 - Kapustin Yar V-2. Yantar'-1 Technology / ionosphere mission Agency: AN SSSR. Apogee: 400 km (240 mi). 1970 April 27 - Kapustin Yar V-2. RAO Solar mission Agency: AN SSSR. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi). 1970 May 16 - Kapustin Yar V-2. RAO Solar mission Agency: AN SSSR. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi). 1970 October 3 - 04:20 GMT - Kapustin Yar V-2. RAO K-2 Solar x-ray mission Agency: AN SSSR. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi). 1970 November 28 - 05:30 GMT - Kapustin Yar V-2. Vertikal-1 Aeronomy / ionosphere / solar mission Agency: AN SSSR. Apogee: 468 km (290 mi). 1971 August 20 - 04:00 GMT - Kapustin Yar V-2. Vertikal-2 Solar Ultraviolet/Solar X-ray mission Agency: AN SSSR. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi). 1971 September 24 - Kapustin Yar V-2. Ionosphere mission Agency: AN SSSR. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi). 1971 October 9 - Kapustin Yar V-2. Ionosphere mission Agency: AN SSSR. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi). 1974 November 28 - Ballistic missile warheads no longer stored separately from missiles From 1972, as the last open-pad missiles were retired, it was decided to mount all warheads on the silo-based missiles in instant readiness for launch. Its operational tasks finished, the 12th Directorate was placed under the Ministry of Defence. In its place the RSVN created a Sixth Directorate for security of nuclear weapons. 1975 July 15 - 03:35 GMT - Kapustin Yar V-2. Ionosphere mission Agency: AN SSSR. Apogee: 503 km (312 mi). 1975 September 2 - 05:40 GMT - Kapustin Yar V-2. Vertikal-3 Solar Ultraviolet/Solar X-ray mission Agency: AN SSSR. Apogee: 502 km (311 mi). 1977 August 30 - Kapustin Yar V-2. Vertikal-5 Solar Ultraviolet/Solar X-ray mission Agency: AN SSSR. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi). 1979 September 26 - 03:20 GMT - Kapustin Yar V-2. Vertikal-8 Solar Ultraviolet/Solar X-ray mission Agency: AN SSSR. Apogee: 505 km (313 mi). 1981 August 28 - Kapustin Yar V-2. Vertikal-9 Solar Ultraviolet/Solar X-ray mission Agency: AN SSSR. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi). 1983 October 20 - Kapustin Yar V-2. Vertikal-11 Solar Ultraviolet/Solar X-ray mission Agency: AN SSSR. Apogee: 500 km (310 mi). Bibliography:
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