The R-36 (NATO designation SS-9 Scarp) was the first model of the whole R-36 family of Soviet intercontinental ballistic missiles. First cold-launch tests were conducted in January 1971. This version, called Mod 1, was able to carry single nuclear warhead with blast yield of 18-25 MT, and it had a range of 11 200 km. Later the R-36 missile evolved into the R-36M (SS-18 Satan), capable of carrying a MIRV payload of 10 warheads. Each with 550-750 kT yield. It could also carry a single warhead of up to 20 MT. Development of this missile began in 1969. The first test launch was made in 1973. First batch of 56 missiles were deployed in 1977, but were later replaced by more modern Mod 3 and Mod 4 variants. All variants of the Satan are silo-launched. Silos are located in dispersed locations. The silo launcher and command point are hardened against a nuclear explosion. This ICBM has two stages. Missile is equipped with liquid rocket engines, using storable propellants. Missile is stored in a tubular storage/launch container. Upon launch the missile is shot out of the container. The main engine is ignited tens of meters above the ground. The SS-18 Satan is a very capable missile, mainly because of its high speed and extremely high throw weight. It can carry up to 10 MIRVs and up to 40 penetration aids. So this missile is hard to intercept. According to Western intelligence data from late '80s, Soviets were able to destroy 70-80 percent of US ICBM silos during first strike, and after that, they would have 1 000+ warheads left to attack other US targets. Some sources report that a single SS-18 missile with MIRVs can completely destroy 3 US states, such as Maryland, Vermont and Rhode Island. Russia is steadily decreasing the number of active Satan missiles. Missiles that age past their designed operational lifetime are being withdrawn. By 2009 only 59 missiles remained in service. These are R-36MUTTKh and R-36M2 variants. About 40 missiles are having their service life extended in order to remain operational until 2019. These missiles are being gradually phased out of service, in favor of more modern systems like MIRV-equipped Topol-M, RS-24 Yars, and RS-26 Rubezh, that is currently being developed. Several missiles have been modified for commercial launch from silos. These carry lightweight satellites.

• published: 15 Aug 2015
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