Jericho II and III, Israeli Ballistic Missile

Jericho is a general designation given to the Israeli ballistic missiles. The name is taken from the first development contract signed between Israel and Dassault in 1963, with the codename as a reference to the Biblical city of Jericho. Like much connected to the nuclear weapons program of Israel, exact details are difficult to find.

Jericho II

The Jericho II is a solid fuel, two-stage medium-range ballistic missile system. There was a series of test launches into the Mediterranean from 1987 to 1992, the longest at around 1,300 km, mostly from the facility at Palmachim, south of Tel Aviv. Jane's reports that a test launch of 1,400 km is believed to have taken place from South Africa's Overberg Test Range in June 1989.

The Jericho II is 14.0 m long and 1.56 m wide, with a reported launch weight of 26,000 kg (although an alternative launch weight of 21,935 kg has been suggested). It has a 1,000 kg payload, capable of carrying a considerable amount of high explosives or a 1 MT yield nuclear warhead. It uses a two-stage solid propellant engine with a separating warhead. The missile can be launched from a silo, a railroad flat truck, or a mobile vehicle. This gives it the ability to be hidden, moved quickly, or kept in a hardened silo, ensuring survival against any attack.

The Jericho II forms the basis of the three-stage, 23 ton Shavit NEXT satellite launcher, first launched in 1988 from Palmachim. From the performance of Shavit it has been estimated that as a ballistic missile it has a maximum range of about 7,800 km with a 500 kg payload.

Jericho III

It is estimated that the Jericho III entered service by 2008. The Jericho III is believed to have a three-stage solid propellant and a payload of 1,000 to 1,300 kg. It is possible for the missile to be equipped with a single 750 kg nuclear warhead or two or three low yield MIRV warheads. It has an estimated launch weight of 30,000 kg and a length of 15.5 m with a width of 1.56 m. It likely is similar to an upgraded Shavit space launch vehicle. It probably has longer first and second-stage motors. It is estimated that it has a range of 4,800 to 11,500 km (2,982 to 7,180 miles), and probably significantly greater with a smaller payload of 350 kg (the size of one smaller Israeli nuclear warhead). It is believed that the Jericho 3 is inertial guided with a radar guided warhead and silo-based with mobile vehicle and railcar capabilities.

According to an official report which was submitted to the American congress in 2004, it may be that with a payload of 1,000 kg the Jericho 3 gives Israel nuclear strike capabilities within the entire Middle East, Africa, Europe, Asia and almost all parts of North America, as well as within large parts of South America and North Oceania. The range of the Jericho 3 also provides an extremely high impact speed for nearby targets, enabling it to avoid any ballistic missile defenses that may develop in the immediate region. On 17 January 2008 Israel test fired a multi-stage ballistic missile believed to be of the Jericho III type reportedly capable of carrying "conventional or non conventional warheads."

M51 SLBM, French Navy submarine-launched ballistic missile

The M51 SLBM is a submarine-launched ballistic missile, built by EADS Astrium Space Transportation, and deployed with the French Navy. Designed to replace the M45 SLBM (In French terminology the MSBS - Mer-Sol-Balistique-Stratégique “Sea-ground-Strategic ballistic”, it was first deployed in 2010.

Each missile carries six to ten independently targetable TN 75 thermonuclear warheads.

The three-stage engine of the M51 is directly derived from the solid propellant boosters of Ariane 5.

The missiles are a compromise over the M5 SLBM design, which is to have a range of 11,000 km (6,200 miles) and carry 10 TNO MIRV of the new generation (Tête Nucléaire Océanique, “Oceanic nuclear warhead”). The M51 will enter service in 2010.

The M51 performed its first flight test (unarmed) on 9 November 2006 from the French missile flight test centre in Biscarrosse (Landes). The target was reached twenty minutes later, in the north-west of the Atlantic Ocean.

A second and third successful test were carried out on 21 June 2007 and 13 November 2008.

On 27 January 2010, at 9h25, a missile was launched underwater by the Terrible, from Audierne Bay. The missile reached its target 2000 kilometres off South Carolina; the 4500 kilometre flight took about 20 minutes.

The 10 July 2010 test validated the Triomphant class submarine capacity to launch a M51 in operational conditions.

M51 SLBM
Type	SLBM
Service history
In service	27 september 2010
Production history
Manufacturer	EADS Astrium Space Transportation
Unit cost	4 billion Euro for the programme
Specifications
Weight	52,000 kg
Length	12.0 m
Diameter	2.3 m
Warhead	M51.1 = 6 to 10 TN 75 MIRV using the 100 kt of TNT (420 TJ), with penetration aids. M51.2 (2015) = using the new Tête Nucléaire Océanique
Engine	three stage solid propellant
Operational range	>10000 km
Speed	Mach 25
Guidance system	Inertial & star positioning
Launch platform	Triomphant class submarines

M45 SLBM. French Navy's submarine ballistic missile

The M45 SLBM is the current standard French Navy's submarine launched ballistic missile (In French terminology the MSBS - Mer-Sol-Ballistique-Stratégique (Sea-ground-Strategic ballistic missile). Forty-eight M45 are in commission in the Force océanique stratégique, the submarine nuclear deterrent component of the French Navy.

The missiles, derived from the M4, are produced by Aerospatiale (now EADS SPACE Transportation). Initially, an ICBM land-based version was considered but these plans were discarded in 1996 to favour an all-naval deployment.

The M45 differs from its predecessor by its increased range (6,000 km vs. 4,000 km), its increased accuracy and penetration capabilities and its new TN-75 warheads. Each missile carries six MIRVs, each armed with a thermonuclear warhead of 100 kt.

The M45 has a reported accuracy of 350 m CEP using an inertial guidance system coupled with computer payload control. It will be succeeded by the M51 SLBM.

In March 1986, a M-4 missile was launched and covered 6,000 km to its target; this flight is rumoured to have been the first test flight for the M-45.

On the night of the 1-2 June 2004, the Triomphant class submarine Vigilant fired a version of the M45 from the southern part of Brittany; the missile hit its target near French Guiana.

M45 SLBM
Type	ICBM
Service history
In service	1996
Production history
Manufacturer	EADS SPACE Transportation
Specifications
Weight	35 t
Length	11.05 m
Diameter	1.93 m
Warhead	6 x 100 kt TN 75
Engine	3-stage solid
Operational range	6,000 km
Guidance system	Inertial plus computer payload control
Launch platform	Triomphant class submarines

Dongfeng-41 (DF-41), Chinese Intercontinental Ballistic Missile

The Dongfeng-41 (DF-41) ("East Wind" 41), is a Chinese nuclear solid-fueled intercontinental ballistic missile currently under service with the Second Artillery Corps.

It has an estimated operational range of 15,000 km, is capable of MIRV delivery (up to 12), and can cover any position on the planet. The project started in the 1980s, and is now quite likely coupled with the JL-2 program.

Military experts had expected that it could be unveiled at the 2009 National Parade. However, rehearsals of the military parade so far have not featured this missile. It is anticipated that the DF-41 will be delivered to the Second Artillery around the year 2010.

DF-41
Type	ICBM
Service history
In service	present
Used by	People's Republic of China
Production history
Manufacturer	China Academy of Launch Vehicle
Specifications
Diameter	2.0 m (6 ft 7 in)
Warhead	nuclear 12 MIRVs
Engine	Three-stage solid propellant
Operational range	~15,000 kms (~9,320 miles)
Guidance system	Inertial with COMPASS
Launch platform	Silo, road-mobile TEL

UR-100N, SS-19 Stiletto

The UR-100N (NATO reporting name SS-19 Stiletto) is an intercontinental ballistic missile in service with Soviet and Russian Strategic Rocket Forces. Russia has 136 missiles still in service, and plans to keep them in their arsenal until 2030. At present (2007) the missiles are deployed in Deraznja, Kozelsk, Pervomajsk and Tatiscevo.

The UR-100N is a fourth-generation silo-launched liquid-propellant ICBM similar to the UR-100 but with much increased dimensions, weights, performance, and payload. The missile was not designed to use existing UR-100 silos, and therefore had new silos constructed for it.

UR-100N
Type	ICBM
Service history
In service	1982–present
Used by	Soviet Union / CIS
Production history
Manufacturer	Khrunichev Machine-Building Plant
Specifications
Weight	105.6 tonnes
Length	27 metres
Diameter	2.5 m
Warhead	up to 6 (1 as per START II
Blast yield	550 KT (Mod 3), 5 MT (Mod 2)
Engine	two-stage liquid fuel
Operational range	10,000 km
Guidance system	inertial

The UR-100N reached initial operating capability in 1974, and by 1978 an inventory of 190 launchers were reached. In 1979, the UR-100UTTH became operational and by 1983 had replaced many older missiles and reached maximum inventory of 360 launchers. This had fallen to 300 by 1991, and with the dissolution of the Soviet Union, many in Ukraine became property of that nation. 170 remained in Russia, although treaty obligations required the rearming of the missiles with single warheads. Russia retains some UR-100UTTHs in its inventory with the potential to retain as many as fifty by the end of the decade. Recent political developments have led to plans to rearm the missiles again with MIRV warheads.

The units previously held by Ukraine have been returned to Russia or decommissioned.

In December 2008 Strategic rocket forces had 126 UR-100NUTTH operational missiles. This does not, however, make them the most numerous ICBMs in the Russian arsenal; that distinction belongs to SS-25 ICBMs.

The UR-100N forms the basis of the Rockot space launch system, which was used in several successful launches in the 1990s and early 2000s, and one failed launch of the ESA CryoSat satellite in 2005. After the failure, Rockot launches were suspended. Once the cause was unambiguously identified and corrective measures implemented, Rockot returned to active service on 28 July 2006, with the successful launch of an earth observation satellite for South Korea.

RT-2PM Topol, SS-25 Sickle, Russian Ballistic Missile

The RT-2PM Topol (NATO reporting name SS-25 Sickle) is a mobile intercontinental ballistic missile designed in the Soviet Union and in service with Russia's Strategic Rocket Forces.

RT-2PM Topol SS-25 Sickle
Type	Intercontinental ballistic missile
Place of origin	Soviet Union
Service history
In service	1988-present
Used by	Russian Strategic Rocket Forces
Production history
Designer	Moscow Institute of Thermal Technology
Manufacturer	Votkinsk Machine Building Plant
Specifications
Weight	45,100 kg (99,000 lb)
Length	21.5 m (71 ft)
Diameter	1.8 m (5 ft 11 in)
Warhead	Single 550 kt warhead
Engine	Three-stage solid propellant
Operational range	10,500 km (6,500 mi)
Speed	approx. 7 km/s
Guidance system	Inertial, autonomous
Accuracy	200 m CEP
Launch platform	Road-mobile TEL

RT-2PM Topol Design

The RT-2PM ICBM was designed to be road mobile and is mounted on a heavy truck (MAZ-7310 or MAZ-7917). Development began in 1977, flight tests of the missile were conducted between 1983 and 1987. After the first series of tests, the first missiles became operational in 1985. Full deployment of 360 missiles was achieved in 1996, and in 2005 300 remained on duty. As of January 2008 the figure had dropped to 201 active missiles. In December 2008 Russian rocket forces had 189 RT-2PM operational missiles. With 276 ICBMs of other types (including 75 R-36 missiles and 75 Topol-M missiles), that gives Russia an ICBM arsenal of 465 missiles - larger than US ICBM arsenal of 450 LGM-30 Minuteman rockets.

The RT-2 is a road mobile 3-stage, single warhead ICBM. Its 29.5 meter length and 1.7 meter diameter are approximately the same size and shape as the U.S. Minuteman ICBM. It has a throw-weight of 1000 kg and carries a single warhead with a yield of 550 kt and accuracy (CEP) of 900 m according to Russian sources [as opposed to 300m according to Western sources]. Its road mobile capability gave the RT-2PM Topol an extremely high probability of survival. It can fire from field deployment sites or through sliding roof garage bases. The RT-2PM Topol joined operational Soviet SRF regiments in 1985. A total area of approximately 190,000 square kilometers could be required to deploy a force consisting of 500 road-mobile Topol ICBMs. Mobile units require a much higher number of personnel for maintenance and operation than fixed systems. Consequently, the RT-2PM Topol was significantly more costly to maintain and operate than silo launched systems.

All three stages are made of composite materials. During first stage operation the flight control is implemented through four aerodynamic and four jet vanes. Four similar trellised aerodynamic surfaces serve for stabilization. During the second and third stage of flight gas is injected into the diverging part of the nozzle for flight control.

The missile is deployed in a Transporter Erector Launcher (TEL) canister mounted on cross-country 7-axle chassis on a mobile launch vehicle. The chassis incorporates jacks, gas and hydraulic drives and cylinders, with a power of several hundred tons, for jacking and leveling of the launcher, speeding up (combat) and slowing down (maintaining) elevation of the container with the missile in the vertical position. The TEL is accompanied by a Mobile command post, carrying support facilities mounted on cross-country 4-axle chassis with unified vans. The complex is equipped with an onboard inertial navigation system which gives the TEL group the capability to conduct the launch independently from its field deployment sites. This topo-geodesic support and navigation subsystem, created by the “Signal” Research Institute, provides a quick and highly precise tie-in of the launcher in a field position and enables its crew to carry out missile launches from any combat patrol route point. The launch can also be carried out at regimental bases from the aforementioned garrison garage.

RT-2UTTKh Topol M, Russian Ballictic Missile

The RT-2UTTKh Topol-M (NATO reporting name: SS-27 Sickle B, other designations: RS-12M1, RS-12M2, RT-2PM2) is one of the most recent intercontinental ballistic missiles to be deployed by Russia (see RS-24), and the first to be developed after the dissolution of the Soviet Union.

In its Russian designation РТ stands for "ракета твердотопливная," Raketa Tverdotoplivnaya ("solid fuel rocket"), while УТТХ - for "улучшенные тактико-технические характеристики," uluchshenniye taktiko-tekhnicheskie kharakteristiki ("improved tactical and technical characteristics"). "Topol" (тополь) in Russian means "poplar". It is designed and produced exclusively by the Moscow Institute of Thermal Technology, and built at the Votkinsk Machine Building Plant.

RT-2UTTKh Topol-M SS-27 Sickle B
Type	Intercontinental ballistic missile
Place of origin	Russia
Service history
In service	December 1997
Used by	Russian Strategic Rocket Forces
Production history
Designer	Moscow Institute of Thermal Technology
Manufacturer	Votkinsk Machine Building Plant
Produced	December 20, 1994
Specifications
Weight	47,200 kg (104,000 lb)
Length	22.7 m (74.47 ft)
Diameter	1.9 m (6 ft 3 in)
Warhead	Single 550 kt warhead
Engine	Three-stage solid propellant
Operational range	11,000 km (6,800 mi)
Speed	10,800 mph (17,400 km/h)
Guidance system	Inertial with GLONASS
Accuracy	200 m CEP
Launch platform	Silo, road-mobile TEL

Missile defense evasion capabilities

According to Russia the missile is designed to be immune to any current or planned U.S. missile defence system. It is claimed to be capable of making evasive maneuvers to avoid a kill by terminal phase interceptors, and carries targeting countermeasures and decoys. It is shielded against radiation, EMP, nuclear explosions at distances over 500 meters, and is designed to survive a hit from any laser technology.

One of the Topol-M's most notable features is its short engine burn time following take-off, intended to minimize satellite detection of launches and thereby complicate both early warning and interception by missile defense systems during boost phase. The missile also has a relatively flat ballistic trajectory, complicating defense acquisition and interception.

According to The Washington Times, Russia has conducted a successful test of the evasive payload delivery system. The missile was launched on November 1, 2005 from the Kapustin Yar facility. The warhead changed course after separating from the launcher, making it difficult to predict a re-entry trajectory.

RS-24 Yarsm, Russian ICBM

The RS-24 Yars is a Russian MIRV-equipped, thermonuclear intercontinental ballistic missile first tested on May 29, 2007 after a secret military R&D project, to replace the older R-36 and UR-100N that have been already used almost for 50 years. RS-24 Yars is a missile that is heavier than Topol M, created in response to the missile shield that the United States was planning to deploy in Europe,^[5] which can carry up to 10 independently targetable warheads.

In June 2008 the chief designer of the Moscow Institute of Thermal Technology, Yuri Solomonov, announced that the RS-24 is an enhanced, MIRVed development of the Topol-M missile that would finish all testing in 2008 and most likely be deployed in 2009. According to General Nikolai Solovtsov, the commander of the Strategic Rocket Forces (SRF), the first RS-24 missiles will be deployed in Teykovo in 2009.

On March 17, 2009 General Solovtsov announced that the first regiment of RS-24 ICBMs will be put in to service in December 2009 when START-1 is set to expire. He later repeated that statement on May 7. According to the Russian rocket forces the first six RS-24 missiles will be mobile.

Further on October 10, 2009, on ITAR-TASS, General Andrei Shvaichenko, the new SRF commander, confirmed the December 2009 deployment of the RS-24 which will support the existing Topol-M (RS-12М2) Missile Complex.

Testing for the new-generation ICBM was completed in mid-July 2010, and the first missiles were deployed shortly after on July 19.

In December 2010 the missile division in Teykovo received its second delivery of RS-24 missile systems. In total 6 missiles are deployed by the end of 2010.

RS-24 Yars
Type	Intercontinental ballistic missile
Place of origin	Russia
Service history
In service	July 2010
Used by	Russia
Production history
Designer	Moscow Institute of Thermal Technology
Manufacturer	Votkinsk Machine Building Plant
Specifications
Length	approx. 23 m
Diameter	approx. 2 m
Warhead	MIRVed, not less than 4, 550 kt warheads
Engine	solid propellant
Speed	Mach 13+
Guidance system	Inertial
Launch platform	Mobile launcher (MAZ-7917)