In
1984 Strategic missile forces of the Soviet Union received new RS-22 (also
known as RT-23 "Molodets") intercontinental ballistic missile,
designated as SS-24 "Scalpel" with NATO forces. This solid fuel
missile was developed by "Juzhnoje" design bureau. It was
developed in two variants of launching. One missile is based on a
rail-mobile launcher, while the other variant is an ordinary silo launched
missile. Missile has a launching weight in 100 tons and features 10
individualy guided warheads. Weight of the main warhead - 4 tons. The
RS-22 intercontinental ballistic missile features deflection from target
in less than 200 meters.
Rail-mobile laucher externaly is simmilar to a train carrying
refrigerating van or passenger carriage. Each rail-mobile complex is
intended to carry out a long-term authonomy patrol. It is able to fire
missiles form any point of it's route. Railway train with vans or
carriages are 26 meters long and 3 meters wide and carry 21.25 meters long
launching container with the SS-24 "Scalpel" missile. In 1990 in
the Soviet Union 6 such trains carried 18 missiles. In 1991 there was made
a decission to stop production of the rail based RS-22 intercontinental
ballistic missiles.
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