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Russia Tests ICBM, Submarine-Launched Missiles
From Wednesday, January 2, 2008 issue.
Russia last week completed successful tests of a multiple-warhead ICBM and a submarine-launched ballistic missile, the Financial Times reported (see GSN, Dec. 17, 2007). The military fired the RS-24 ICBM from a mobile launcher at the Plesetsk space center in northern Russia. The missile deployed several test warheads that hit their targets on the Kura test range, located on the Kamchatka Peninsula in far eastern Russia. The second test of the ICBM followed a test in May. The RS-24 is based on the Topol-M, a single-warhead Russian ICBM with a range of 6,000 miles. The new missile is being developed as a replacement for older Soviet weapons such as the SS-19 Stiletto and the SS-18 Satan. “The RS-24 will form the backbone of the Strategic Missile Forces and safely ensure the security of Russia and its allies through the midcentury,” the forces said. Russia also test-fired its submarine-launched RSM-54 ballistic missile at the same time, hitting an additional target on the Kamchatka Peninsula, the Russian Defense Ministry said. Also called the Sineva hybrid ballistic missile, the RSM-54 becomes a cruise missile during its final stage of flight. Two tests of the missile were completed within one week (Neil Buckley, Financial Times, Dec. 26). Top Russian military officials said the new missiles are capable of penetrating any missile defense shield, Reuters reported. Moscow has vehemently opposed U.S. efforts to place missile defense elements in Europe (see GSN, Dec. 20, 2007). Russian President Vladimir Putin praised the missile tests as “pleasant and spectacular holiday fireworks” (Dmitry Solovyov, Reuters, Dec. 26).
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2008 by National Journal Group, Inc. The material in this section is produced independently for NTI by National Journal Group, Inc. Any reproduction or retransmission, in whole or in part, is a violation of federal law and is strictly prohibited without the consent of the National Journal Group, Inc. All rights reserved.
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