RT-2

The RT-2 was an intercontinental ballistic missile deployed by the Soviet Union, which was in service from December 1968^[1] until 1976.^[2] It was assigned the NATO reporting name SS-13 Savage and carried the GRAU index 8K98. Designed by OKB-1,^[1] about 60 were built by 1972.

RT-2 SS-13 Savage
Type	Intercontinental ballistic missile
Place of origin	Soviet Union
Service history
In service	1968-1976
Used by	Soviet Strategic Rocket Forces
Specifications
Mass	45,100 kg (99,400 lb)
Length	21.5 m (71 ft)
Diameter	1.7 m (5 ft 7 in)
Engine	Three-stage solid propellant
Operational range	10,000 km
Guidance system	autonomous inertial guidance
Accuracy	Maximum error: 4 km, CEP: 1900 m,
Launch platform	silo-based

History

The RT-2 was the first solid-propellant ICBM in Soviet service, and was a development of the earlier RT-1 series. It was a three-stage inertially-guided missile comparable to the American Minuteman missile. It was armed with a single 600 kiloton warhead and was silo-launched, although a rail-based version was contemplated by Soviet planners. It was deployed in the Yoshkar-Ola missile field.

The Soviets used the two upper stages of the RT-2 to develop the RT-15 mobile IRBM system. The RT-2PM Topol is supposedly a modernized version of the RT-2^{[citation needed]}

Operations

The RT-2 was capable of delivering a 540 kg (1,200 lb) class payload to a maximum operational range of approximately 10,000 km (5,500 nautical miles)^[3]

Command and Control

A single launch control center (LCC) monitored numbers of launchers. The hardened and dispersed silo concept increased system survivability and provided steady environmental controls from the solid-propellant motors. Headquarters RVSN exercised normal control of the RT-2 missile force, through an intermediate RVSN Army and launch complex headquarters (HCC). A launch complex consisted of an HCC and several LCCs, monitoring numerous underground launchers.

Flight test history

Test Launches

RT-2 Test Launches
Date	System	Location	Range (NM)	Note
26 Feb 1966	RT-2 Mod	Kapustin Yar

General Characteristics

An RT-2

• Length: 20,000 mm (65.6 ft)
• Diameter: 1,700 mm (5.57 ft)
• Launch Weight: 34,000 kg (33.46 tons)
• Guidance: inertial guidance
• Propulsion: solid, three-stage
• Warhead: 600kt nuclear
• Range: 6,200 mi (10,000 km)

Operators

 Soviet Union

The Strategic Rocket Forces were the only operator of the RT-2.

Photo gallery

• 
  RT-2 coverage of United States
• 
  RT-2 launch facility configuration
• 
  RT-2 missile complex configuration

See also

• RT-2PM Topol
• List of missiles
• List of rockets