|
The Topol (SS-25 in Western designation) is a Russian single-warhead ICBM. It was designed to be road mobile and mounted on a heavy truck (MAZ-7310 or MAZ-7917), although some models can be fired from a silo. The system became operational in 1985. The missile is transported fuelled and launch preparations take approximately two minutes. It carries a single warhead that weighs about one ton. The missile is equiped with a variety of features designed to defeat a potential enemy's ABM systems. The complex is fully automated from preparation for launch to in-flight control.
Before the collapse of the Soviet Union 81 launchers were deployed in Belarus. They were all returned to Russia by November 27, 1996.
A commercial space launch vehicle called "Start" was developed, based on the Topol ICBM.
External links
|
