Russia Announces Successful Topol Ballistic Missile Test

"With this test launch the service life of Topol systems has been extended to 21 years," the official said.

by Staff Writers
Moscow (RIA Novosti) Oct 22, 2007
Russia has successfully test-fired an RS-12 Topol intercontinental ballistic missile from the Plesetsk space center, a spokesman for the Strategic Missile Forces announced on Thursday. The RS-12 (NATO reporting name SS-25 Sickle) has been in service since 1988. It is a road-mobile single-warhead ICBM, similar in size and shape to the U.S. Minuteman ICBM.

"A mock warhead hit a designated target at testing grounds on the Kamchatka Peninsula [in Russia's Far East]," the spokesman said.

He said the launch from the space center in north Russia had been conducted to assess the possibility of extending the service life of Topol missiles whose technical specifications stipulate a 10-year service term.

"With this test launch the service life of Topol systems has been extended to 21 years," the official said.

The missile will be progressively retired over the next decade. It is being replaced by a mobile version of the Topol-M (SS-27) missile, which can carry up to six nuclear warheads.

Source: RIA Novosti

Community
Email This Article
Comment On This Article

Related Links
Learn about missile defense at SpaceWar.com
All about missiles at SpaceWar.com

MISSILE NEWS

Russian Military Chief Says No Need To Give Up INF Treaty

Solnechnogorsk, Russia (RIA Novosti) Oct 18, 2007
Relinquishing the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty could spur the use of weapons of mass destruction, Russia's top military official said on Wednesday. President Vladimir Putin last week said Russia could pull out of the U.S.-Russian arms reductions treaty, unless it was expanded to impose restrictions on other countries as well. "Breaking this treaty could lead to irreversible consequences, when a large number of countries will equip missiles with high-precision warheads and more exotic types of WMD," said Army General Yury Baluyevsky, chief of Russia's General Staff.

SUPERPOWERS Putin boast of 'grandiose' military plans no cause for alarm: Gates USS Fort McHenry Mission To Set Tone For US Africa Command Walker's World: Inflating Russian reality Analysis: China's unique assets	NUKEWARS India, Pakistan talk to ease nuclear tensions Olmert Wants To Know All About Ahmadinejad Iran Warns It Can Fire 11,000 Rockets In One Minute If Attacked Friction between EU, Egypt over nuclear-free Middle East
MISSILE NEWS Russia Announces Successful Topol Ballistic Missile Test Russian Military Chief Says No Need To Give Up INF Treaty Pentagon confirms accidental Patriot launch Cruise Missile Sector Facing Supersonic Challenge	MISSILE DEFENSE US heeding Russia's concerns on missile defence: Putin BMD Focus: The toll of the Qassams US could change missile shield plan if Iranian threat subsides Barak, Gates discuss joint US-Israel anti-missile system
AEROSPACE Airbus US boss demands end to WTO "histrionics" MEPs seek limits on aircraft emissions by 2010 New Delft Material Concept For Aircraft Wings Could Save Billions Aircraft And Automobiles Thrive In Hurricane-Force Winds At Lockheed Martin	UAV NEWS BAE Systems Led UCAV Programme Breaks New Ground Reaper Aids Commanders On Battlefield UAS Video Terminal Connects Boots On The Ground To Eyes In The Sky Unmanned Aerial Vehicles Increase In Numbers
IRAQ WARS Iraqi President Says Large-Scale Turkish Incursion Impossible Turkish campaign against Kurds faces many pitfalls No Turkish hostages held by Kurdish rebels: defence minister Pentagon announces Iraq deployments	MILTECH Taiwan to develop 'blackout bomb': report GPS Operators Unveil New Early-Orbit, Anomaly Resolution System Thompson Files: C-130 lessons -- Part 1 LockMart Unveils Operational Prototype EQ-36 Counterfire Target Acquisition Radar

The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2006 - SpaceDaily.AFP and UPI Wire Stories are copyright Agence France-Presse and United Press International. ESA PortalReports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additionalcopyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement,agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by SpaceDaily on any Web page published or hosted by SpaceDaily. Privacy Statement