RT-23 15Zh52

Ukrainian intercontinental ballistic missile. A draft project of the 15Zh52 MIRV train-based version of the RT-23 was completed in June 1980. The system was designed to allow the mobile launchers to conduct long-duration deployments up to 200 km from base.

A Special Trials Unit at Plesetsk began testing of the system on 20 July 1982, with launches beginning a year later. A 10 February 1983 decree ordered development and production of a modernized RT-23UTTKh with MIRV capability and a more economical train system. However the test system had demonstrated three mobile deployments up to 1500 km from base.

The rocket was cold-launched from its transport/storage container by a powdered gas charge. All three stages used single-nozzle monolithic solid motors. Stage one used gas injection for thrust vectoring, stages 2 and 3 used aerodynamic vanes and nose swiveling for control. A post-boost bus with a liquid propellant motor dispensed the warheads.

The 3D65 first stage was taken from that designed by Yuzhnoye for the Makeyev R-39 SLBM. Development had begun in September 1973, with static tests beginning in January 1980. Series production of all stages for both the RT-23 and R-39 were undertaken by the Pavlograd Mechanical Factory with Zhukov at NII-125 providing the solid rocket motors. The guidance was by Vladimir Lapygin of NII AP. The bus could deploy a mix of warheads and countermeasures to confuse enemy defense systems. The ground-based missile control systems were developed by Aksyutin and Leontenkov at TsKB TM. The systems were subject to a unique electromagnetic interference requirement due to the electric railway.

The Soviets were particularly proud to have developed and deployed the RT-23 train-launched ICBM. The Americans had also pursued such a system repeatedly over the years, but never achieved it.

Maximum range: 10,000 km (6,000 mi). Number Standard Warheads: 1. Warhead yield: 1,000 KT. Boost Propulsion: Solid rocket. Initial Operational Capability: 1982.