R-36 (missile)
The R-36 (DIA Code: SS -9 NATO reporting name: Scarp ) was a silo -based intercontinental ballistic missile that was developed during the Cold War in the Soviet Union. She was the first of the third generation of Soviet ICBMs, based on the existing R-16 (SS -7 Saddler ) and R -9 (SS -8 Sasin ) built designs. It is believed that it was originally designed to attack large area targets such as cities, later versions, however, were planned for the destruction of U.S. Minuteman silos. Soviet sources confirm only the latter. The range made it possible to reach any destination within the United States and Europe from bases in the Soviet Union. The R-36, used as fuel, the storable liquid propellants UDMH and nitrogen tetroxide.
There were four versions of the R-36:
- Model 1 with a nuclear warhead standard ( GRAU index 8K67 )
- Model 2 with a nuclear fusion warhead of 25 megatons of TNT equivalent, twice the strength of Model 1 This should be able to destroy the launch silos in the United States despite the low accuracy.
- Model 3 - also referred to as R-36 or R -O - 36orb ( GRAU index 8K69 ). This was the first applied (English Fractional Orbital Bombardment System) that allowed the Soviet Union to attack the U.S. over the South Pole, thus bypassing the oriented to the North Pole radar warning chain in North America and Northern Europe, the FOBS system. For this purpose, the warhead was brought to a low Earth orbit, from where he could reach any point on earth. Against the target area, he had to be brought only to leave the orbit through braking rockets.
- Model 4 used three separate warheads (English Multiple Reentry Vehicles, MRV), guided by a common control system in order to avoid the possible missile defense in the final stages.
All versions were two-stage liquid-propellant rockets and were launched from silos. The development of the R-36 began in 1962. Models 1 and 2 were put into service in 1967 and 1968 Model 3 and 4. 1971 were stationed more than 255 rockets of models 1 to 3. From model 4 1973 100 pieces were available. 1979, all missiles were asked to model on three out of service. Model 3 then fell under the SALT II Treaty, the last rocket was removed in February 1983 from the Startsilo. The successor of the SS -9 was later SS -18 Satan.
The R-36 was the basis for the space flight - launcher -type cyclone. The construction was carried out in the design office Mikhail Kuzmich Yangel made the rocket in Dnepropetrovsk in Ukraine.