UR-100N

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UR-100N
Type ICBM
Service history
In service 1982–present
Used by Soviet Union / CIS
Production history
Manufacturer Khrunichev Machine-Building Plant
Specifications
Weight 105.6 tonnes
Length 27 metres
Diameter 2.5 m

Warhead 1 under START II - was 6
Blast yield 550 Kt

Engine two-stage liquid fuel
Operational
range
10,000 km
Guidance
system
inertial

The UR-100N is an intercontinental ballistic missile in service with Russia. The missile was given the NATO reporting name SS-19 Stiletto and carries the industry designation 15A30. Russia has 126 missiles still on services, and they plan to keep them until 2030. [1] At present (2007) the missiles are deployed in Deraznja, Kozelsk and Pervomajsk y Tatiscevo.[2]

Contents

[edit] Development

Development of the UR-100N began at OKB-52 in 1970 and flight tests were carried out from 1973 through 1975. In 1976, the improved UR-100NUTTH version entered development with flight tests in the later half of the decade.

[edit] Description

The UR-100N is a fourth-generation silo-launched liquid-propellant ICBM similar to the UR-100 but with much increased dimensions, weights, performance, and payload. The missile was not designed to use existing UR-100 silos, and therefore had new silos constructed for it.

[edit] Operational history

The UR-100N reached initial operating capability in 1974, and by 1978 an inventory of 180 launchers were reached. In 1979, the UR-100UTTH became operational and by 1983 had replaced many older missiles and reached maximum inventory of 360 launchers. This had fallen to 300 by 1991, and with the dissolution of the Soviet Union, many in Ukraine became property of that nation. 170 remained in Russia, although treaty obligations required the rearming of the missiles with single warheads. Russia retains some UR-100UTTHs in its inventory with the potential to retain as many as fifty by the end of the decade. Recent political developments have led to plans to rearm the missiles again with MIRV warheads as a response to American deployment of a National Missile Defense system.

The units previously held by the Ukraine have been returned to Russia or decommissioned.

The UR-100N forms the basis of the Rockot space launch system, which was used in several successful launches in the 1990s and early 2000s, and one failed launch of the ESA CryoSat satellite in 2005. After the failure, Rockot launches were suspended. Once the cause was unambiguously identified and corrective measures implemented, Rockot returned to active service on 28 July 2006, with the successful launch of an earth observation satellite for South Korea.

[edit] See also

[edit] External links