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The Topol-M or SS-27 is the newest of the Russian Strategic Rocket Forces' ICBMs. As of July 2004, 36 have been deployed.
They are 21 m long and have a diameter of 2 m. The mass at launch is approximately 40 t. This figure includes its 1000 ~ 1200 kilogram payload. It carries a single warhead.
Its range is roughly 10 000 kilometers. It has three solid rocket stages with inertial, autonomous flight control.
The first flight test took place in December 1994.
First deployment took place on December of 1997.
The Topol-M may be deployed either inside a reinforced missile silo or from a self-propelled mobile launcher, capable of moving through roadless terrain, and launching a missile from any point along its route.
It is designed and produced exclusively by the Moscow Institute of Thermal Technology, and built at the Votkinsk Machine-Building Plant.
Development
There has been work on new propulsion systems for the Topol-M which may enable it to evade kinetic anti-ballistic missile defenses, however no such system has been seen or demonstrated to date.
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