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15Zh45

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AKA: Pioner;RSD-10;Saber;SS-20 Mod 1;SS-20 Mod 1 and Mod 2. Payload: 1,740 kg (3,830 lb). Gross mass: 35,703 kg (78,711 lb). Height: 16.49 m (54.10 ft). Diameter: 1.79 m (5.87 ft). Span: 1.79 m (5.87 ft).

In the 1970's the late 1960's the Soviet Union found itself threatened by intermediate-range ballistic missiles stationed around its borders by states other than the 'main adversary'. China had developed their Dun-1 (DF-2) IRBM based on drawings and a single example provided to them before the break with Moscow. This missile was accepted by the Chinese military in 1970. In 1971 tests began of their Dun-2 (DF-3), with a range of 4000 km, capable of striking any target in Europe. The French deployed their 3,000 km range SSBS S-1 IRBM in 1971 as well. To counter this threat the Soviet Union had only R-12 and R-14 missiles deployed to fixed locations. A mobile, solid-propellant, multiple-warhead IRBM that could not be taken out by an enemy first strike was needed. The RT-15 and RT-20P mobile IRBM's had been developed in the 1960's but neither was deployed due to operational shortcomings.

Nadiradze had begun basic research on such a missile in 1971. An official decree of 28 April 1973 authorized full scale development. A series of twenty flight tests were conducted at Kapustin Yar from 21 September 1974 to 9 January 1976 and were completely successful. The system was accepted by the military on 11 March 1976. The Votkinsk Factory produced both the pre-production missiles from 1973 and the production missiles from 1976. The first field regiment was deployed to Petrikov in Belarus in August 1976. Further regiments of 9 launchers each were deployed to Barnaul, Irkutsk, and Kansk. The appearance of what was dubbed the 'SS-20' created huge consternation within the United States, as opposed to the 'secondary enemies' at whom they were targeted. They eventually led to the counter-deployment of American Pershing 2's and Gryphon cruise missiles to Europe, huge anti-American demonstrations in Western Europe, and finally, on the eve of the disintegration of the 'Evil Empire', the Intermediate Nuclear Forces Treaty, which eliminated all such weapons from Europe.

The missile was designed on the strict rule of 'no liquids'. The composite solid propellant motors for all three stages were designed and built by Boris Zhukov at LNPO Soyuz. The launcher was by Valerian Sobolev at PO Barrikada and the inertial navigation system and digital control computer were by Pilyugin and Vladimir Lapygin at NII AP. Composite materials for the launch container were by Viktor Protasov at TsNII Spetsmash. All of this new technology gave the missile a two-minute reaction time from the order to launch to the moment it was popped out of its container by a cold-gas charge. The multiple warheads were mounted externally canted on the dispenser bus; there was no fairing. The re-entry vehicles were separated and sent on different trajectories using programmable solid propellant charges.

The missile body was built of glass-fiber wound composite, reinforced by titanium in the booster section, with use of magnesium alloy elsewhere. The first stage would burn to depletion, while the last stage was equipped with a thrust termination system for cut-off on the desired trajectory. Stage 1 used 'grid' aerodynamic stabilizers, while stage 2 was controlled by gas injected into the nozzle for pitch and yaw, and a jet powered by a separate gas generator for roll. The missile was sealed in its container as a 'certified round' for the duration of its operational life. The launcher had a mass of 40.25 metric tons unloaded, or 83.95 metric tons with the rocket in its container. Special open shelters were built for stationing and to protect crew during maintenance of the launcher and external equipment.

In parallel with the Pioner the Temp-2S mobile ICBM was built and deployed in contravention of the SALT-2 Treaty. This the same warhead dispenser bus but used larger and wider motors in the upper stages and had other detailed differences in systems. However apparently the same launcher was used, which led the Soviets to attempt to deceive the Americans as to its existence.

Maximum range: 5,000 km (3,100 mi). Number Standard Warheads: 3. Warhead yield: 150 KT. CEP: 0.55 km (0.34 mi). Alternate warhead: 1,500 kg (3,300 lb). Maximum range with alternate warhead: 5,000 km (3,100 mi). Number Alternate Warheads: 1. Alternate warhead yield: 1,000 KT. Alternate warhead CEP: 0.55 km (0.34 mi). Boost Propulsion: Solid rocket. Minimum range: 600 km (370 mi). Initial Operational Capability: 1976.