Russia's "asymmetric response" to the US
missile defense system, the test flight of which took place on
Wednesday from Plesetsk spaceport, was an analogue of the sea-based
intercontinental ballistic missile Bulava. Sources from the Russian
rocket industry told the Kommesant newspaper that the two
missiles were identical in their construction. They weigh nearly 36
tons, and are 12 meters in length. The two rockets also have the same
amount of stages.
The new missile needs to be developed
further. However, if all goes well, then Russia may have the new
state-of-the-art strategic complex of highest, previously unachievable
performance.
Colonel Vadim Koval, an official
spokesman for Russia's Strategic Missile Forces, told reporters, without
giving any details, that Russia conducted the first test flight of the
prototype of the new ICBM. The launch was conducted from a mobile
platform, the official said.
However, a source from the rocket industry told Interfax
that it became the second launch for the missile. The first flight went
unsuccessfully, although an official confirmation to that could not be
found. Experts concluded that it goes about the little-known Avangard - a
deeply modernized variant of the new Yars missile system.
Also read: Russia works on 100-ton monster ballistic missile
The new, yet still mysterious missile
complex, can be a ground-based analogue of the Bulava system. The Moscow
Institute of Thermal Technology started testing Bulava after a series
of failed launches.
The performance of the missiles hold
perfect prospects for the new weapons in the struggle with the US
missile defense system, the elements of which are going to be deployed
in Europe. NATO officials stated during the recent summit in Chicago
(which Russia ignored) that the first stage of the European missile
defense system was practically ready. It is worthy of note that in May,
Nikolai Makarov, the chief of Russia's General Staff, announced a
possibility of pre-emptive blow against European military objects in
case of deployment of the European missile defense system.
Sources from the rocket industry of
Russia said in connection with the above-mentioned launch that there was
new fuel used for the new missile. The fuel reduces the time required
for the work of the engines during the boost phase of the flight. This
is the phase, when the missile is most vulnerable to air defense
systems.
"As a result, the most complicated boost
phase of the flight goes so quickly that the enemy does not have time
to calculate its trajectory. The enemy will thus be unable to destroy
it. In other words, we can say that our opportunities in overcoming
missile defense will increase considerably," an official with the rocket
industry told the Moskovsky Komsomolets newspaper.
Owing to the new fuel, the missile will
be able to carry more warheads - up to ten. Nowadays, this can only be
carried by super heavy (weighing more than 200 tons) silo-based
liquid-fuel ICBMs RS-20 (SS-18). The missiles were developed in Ukraine.
Russia still has them, but their resource is about to reach the limit
after many prolongations.
The term - "asymmetric response" to the
US missile defense system - was coined by Vladimir Putin during his
second term as president in 2007. He referred to the lexicon of the
Soviet times at an annual press conference and said that all responses
to the deployment of the US missile defense system in Europe would be
"asymmetrical, and yet highly effective."
sumber: Pravda
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