RT-23 Molodets
The RT -23 Swain ( German: " great guy " ), also known by the NATO reporting name SS -24 Scalpel known, was an intercontinental missile of the Russian armed forces. It was developed and deployed before 1991 in the former Soviet Union.
Construction
The RT- 23 is a three-stage solid-fuel rocket existing with a ten warheads each 550 kt explosive multiple warhead ( MIRV ). The missile exists in two versions, which differ by the type of starting base. The missile can be launched depending on the version of a silo or from a mobile rail car from. Wherein the mobile version of the missile is located in a transport start canister is placed on a railway wagon provided in the vertical position at the start of the missile. The mobile version of the missile is launched by a gas generator with solid fuel.
The first stage of silogestützten version uses a rotating nozzle, while the mobile version has a fixed nozzle, which is partially located in the combustion chamber of the engine. The second and third stage engines use a retractable nozzle during the flight, in order to increase the thrust of the engine, without having to increase the overall dimensions of the rocket. The missile is controlled in the first stage by the pivoting of the nozzle during the flight. The second and third stages use aerodynamic blades to control. In both versions, a computer- coupled inertial navigation system is used for navigation. The ten warheads have a private drive and Lenkungs-/Kontrollsystem respectively. The control of the SS - 24 by means of an inertial navigation platform. With this system a hit accuracy (CEP ) of 150 to 250 meters is reached ( depending on the control distance).
History
The RT- 23 was in the Soviet Union in the Cold War developed with the aim to have a solid ICBM with different start options. It had been planned three variants, of which only the start variant of a missile silo and from the mobile version have been implemented on a railroad car. Another mobile version with a road vehicle as a starting base ( TEL) was not implemented. The mobile version made it possible enemies harder to locate the rocket launch bases and track. The RT -23 was the Soviet counterpart to the U.S. LGM - 118A Peacekeeper.
The RT- 23 was tested from 1982 to 1989 stationed in both versions. A total of 96 rockets were put into service, including 36 mobile and 56 silogestützte units. The stationing locations for the mobile system were Kostroma (12) Berschet (9) and Krasnoyarsk (12 ), all of them in Russia. Silogestützte missiles were in former UR- 100N Silos (SS -19 Stiletto ) stationed in Perwomajsk in Ukraine ( 46) and in Tatischchewo in Russia ( 10). The majority of the production companies involved was located in what is now Ukraine and led after the collapse of the Soviet Union to cease production of this missile type. At the time of the collapse of the Soviet Union were 92 missiles in active service, including 56 in missile silos and the remaining railroad supported. Ukraine has all nuclear weapons, including the RT -23 out of service until 1996. It was planned to remove the RT -23 as part of the START II (Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty ) from active service. START II, however, was not ratified, so the RT -23 for some time remained in Russian service. In 2005, the last active missiles were decommissioned. The destruction of the missile turns out to be harder than just out-of- service centers, since it is through the burning of rocket stages on the ground. In April 2008, the last stage of a RT -23 were destroyed in a plant in Perm.