RT-2


The RT-2 was an intercontinental ballistic missile deployed by the Soviet Union, which was in service from December 1968 until 1976. It was assigned the NATO reporting name SS-13 Savage and carried the GRAU index 8K98. Designed by OKB-1, about 60 were built by 1972.

History

The RT-2 was the first solid-propellant ICBM in Soviet service, and was a development of the earlier RT-1 series. It was a three-stage inertially-guided missile comparable to the American Minuteman missile. It was armed with a single 600 kiloton warhead and was silo-launched, although a rail-based version was contemplated by Soviet planners. It was deployed in the Yoshkar-Ola missile field.
The Soviets used the two upper stages of the RT-2 to develop the RT-15 mobile IRBM system. The RT-2PM Topol is supposedly a modernized version of the '''RT-2'''

Operations

The RT-2 was capable of delivering a class payload to a maximum operational range of approximately 10,000 km

Command and Control

A single launch control center monitored numbers of launchers. The hardened and dispersed silo concept increased system survivability and provided steady environmental controls from the solid-propellant motors. Headquarters RVSN exercised normal control of the RT-2 missile force, through an intermediate RVSN Army and launch complex headquarters. A launch complex consisted of an HCC and several LCCs, monitoring numerous underground launchers.

General Characteristics

[Image:SS-13 Savage.jpg|right|thumb|350px|An RT-2]
  • Length: 20,000 mm
  • Diameter: 1,700 mm
  • Launch Weight: 34,000 kg
  • Guidance: inertial guidance
  • Propulsion: solid, three-stage
  • Warhead: 600kt nuclear
  • Range:

Operators

; : The Strategic Rocket Forces were the only operator of the RT-2.

Photo gallery


File:RT-2 maximum range coverage of United States.PNG|RT-2 coverage of United States
File:RT-2 possible launch facility configuration.PNG|RT-2 launch facility configuration
File:RT-2 typical deployment complex.PNG|RT-2 missile complex configuration