RT-2PM2 Topol-M
The RT-2PM2 «Topol-M» (Russian: РТ-2ПМ2 «Тополь-М», NATO reporting name: SS-27 "Sickle B"[4], other designations: SS-27 Mod 1,[5][6] RS-12M1, RS-12M2, formerly incorrectly RT-2UTTKh)[7] is one of the most recent intercontinental ballistic missiles to be deployed by Russia,[8] 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.
Topol-M
SS-27 "Sickle B"
Russia
December 2000–present
Russian Strategic Missile Troops
December 1994–2010
47,200 kg (104,000 lb)
22.7 m (74 ft)
1.93 m (6 ft 4 in)
1 x 1.0 Mt [1]
Three-stage Solid-fuel rocket
11,000 km (6,800 mi)
7,520 metres per second (27,100 km/h; 16,800 mph; Mach 22)[2]
Silo, road-mobile TEL
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 "white poplar". It is designed and produced exclusively by the Moscow Institute of Thermal Technology, and built at the Votkinsk Machine Building Plant.[9][10]
The development of the missile began in the late 1980s as a response to the American Strategic Defense Initiative.[14] Initially an evolutionary upgrade of the RT-2PM Topol,[15] the missile was redesigned in 1992. The missile's principal designer was Yuri Solomonov, who would later oversee the development of the RSM-56 Bulava.[16]
The first flight test took place on December 20, 1994, during which the missile, launched from Plesetsk, hit its target 6,400 kilometres (4,000 mi) away.[17][18] Two missiles were put on experimental combat duty in December 1997 at Tatishchevo.[17] 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.[17] 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.[17][19]
Silo launcher Topol-M entered service by presidential decree on 13 July 2000, the third, fourth and fifth regiments entered service in 2000, 2003 and 2005. The last regiment was to arrive in 2012.[20]
On December 12, 2006, the first three mobile Topol-M missile systems entered duty with a missile unit stationed near the town of Teykovo.[21]
Current Strategic Rocket Forces Order of Battle lists the following sites with Topol-M missiles:[22]
The Topol-M missiles have a lifetime between 15 and 20 years.
Missile defense evasion capabilities[edit]
According to Russia this missile and its derivatives, RS-24 Yars, RS-26 Rubezh and RSM-56 Bulava are designed to counter and evade current or planned United States missile defense system.[23] It is said to be capable of making evasive maneuvers to avoid a kill by interceptors, and carries targeting countermeasures and decoys.[24]
One of the Topol-M's most notable features is its short engine burn time following take-off, intended to minimize satellite detection of launches and thereby complicate both early warning and interception by missile defense systems during boost phase. The missile also has a relatively flat ballistic trajectory, complicating defense acquisition and interception.[25]
According to The Washington Times, Russia has conducted a successful test of the evasive payload delivery system.[26] The missile was launched on
1 November 2005 from the Kapustin Yar facility. The warhead changed course after separating from the launcher, making it difficult to predict a re-entry trajectory.
The Strategic Missile Troops are the only operator of the RT-2PM2 Topol-M. As of March 2020,[28] 60 silo-based and 18 mobile RT-2PM2 Topol-M missiles are deployed with 2 rocket divisions:
Silo-based:
Road-mobile:
It is believed that since 2010 no more RT-2PM2 Topol-M missiles have been purchased in favor of the newest RS-24 Yars.