Photos taken from here and here.
Category Archives: strategic forces
The Project 667BDRM Delta-4 Strategic Submarine
The Project 667BDRM “Delfin” (Dolphin) strategic submarine, known in the West as the Delta-4, first entered service in 1985. The Delta-4 and its predecessors (the Delta-1, Delta-2, and the Delta-3 submarines) formed the backbone of the Soviet strategic fleet. The Delta-4 is designed to carry out strategic strikes on naval bases and military installations.
The submarine has a double-hull configuration, and is equipped with 16 missile silos specially designed for the R-29RMU (SS-N-23 Skiff) Sineva ballistic missiles. These missiles are equipped with 4-10 warheads and have a range of up to 8,300 km. The Delta-4 can launch these missiles at depths of up to 55 meters and while moving at a speed of up to 6-7 knots. The Delta-4 is also equipped with four 533 mm torpedo tubes that can fire a variety of different torpedoes. The Delta-4 can also fire the RPK-2 Viyuga (SS-N-15 Starfish) anti-ship missiles from its torpedo tubes. The RPK-2 missiles a have a range of up to 45 km. In total, up to 18 torpedoes or missiles can be carried in the torpedo compartment. In 2011, an upgraded version of the R-29RMU Sineva, dubbed the R-29RMU2 Liner, was introduced for the Delta-4. This new missile is more survivable against anti-ballistic missiles than its predecessor.
The Delta-4 has a maximum speed of 24 knots (regardless of whether it’s surfaced or submerged), and an endurance of about 80 days. The Delta-4 can dive to a maximum depth of 400 meters and has special hydroplanes attached to the sail to break through ice. There are currently 7 Delta-4 submarines in service with the Russian navy. Although these submarines are supposed to be replaced by the Borei class submarines, the latter are entering service very slowly, so the Delta-4 submarines remain in service. Four are equipped with upgraded Sineva missiles, one had its missile silo’s removed and is used as a special purpose platform, and one was damaged by a fire on December 29th, 2011, and is expected to be back in service in 2014.
Photos taken from here.
Topol-M Walk-Around
The 9K720 Iskander-M Theatre Ballistic Missile System
The Iskander-M (also known as the SS-26 Stone) was developed in 1996 to replace the SS-23 “Oka”, a long range theatre ballistic missile system that was eliminated by the INF treaty. The Iskander-M entered service with the Russian army in 2006. The Iskander-M system consists of the TEL vehicle, a BAZ-6909 8-wheeled truck, and two 9M723K1 guided missiles. The missiles are controlled up to the point in which they hit the target, and can be re-targeted while in flight. The optically guided warhead of the missiles can be controlled via ERT (encrypted radio transmission) from a UAV or an AWACS. The 9M723K1′s integrated computer is updated with the target’s images, and the missile then locks on the target and engages it at supersonic speeds.
The 9M723K1 missile performs evasive maneuvers while flying towards its target and releases decoys, making it nearly impossible to intercept. The warhead of each missile has a weight of 800 kg, the missiles have a range of 400-480 km, and fly at a speed of Mach 6-7 (2,100-2,600 meters per second). The missiles are capable of pulling 20-30 G maneuvers in order evade intercepting missiles. The Iskander-M can be used to engaged various type of targets, both large and small, stationary and moving, troops and vehicles, command posts, anti-aircraft and anti-missile defense systems, and more. A cruise missile for the system, the Iskander-K, was introduced in 2007, and is rumored to have a range of over 2,000 km.
According to Russian officials, the Iskander-M was used during the 2008 war between Russia and Georgia, where it was reported to have destroyed over 28 tanks. Amid the disagreements between Russia and the US over the proposed NATO missile shield in Europe, Russia has threatened numerous times to field the system in Kaliningrad. Currently, Iskander-M systems are deployed in every Russian defense district, excluding Kaliningrad. Russia operates 24 units in total, and Belarus and Iran have expressed interest in purchasing the system, as well.
Photos taken from here.
The RS-24 “Yars” Mobile ICBM System Participating In Exercises In The Ivanov Region
The RS-24 “Yars” mobile ICBM (inter-continental ballistic missile) system took part in exercises as part of the “Nuclear Shield” program in the Ivanov region. During these exercises, entire districts are closed, so that all procedures can be performed under utmost secrecy. It takes 15 minutes to set the system up or dismantle it. Changing the system’s position is extremely crucial, as it is carrying a missile that has the power of 100 “Little Boys” (the atomic bomb that was dropped on Hiroshima). The RS-24 was introduced to the region a year ago, and since then, testing has been performed monthly. Each time, the entire Teykovsky district is closed. These exercises resemble real military operations, except no firing takes place. The main mission: to ensure that the mobile ballistic missile system is hidden from the enemy. Each column has three sub-columns, and each sub-column consists of a launcher vehicle and a refueling vehicle.
The First Tu-22M3M Upgraded Strategic Bomber Is Showcased To The Public
More information about the Tu-22M3/M3M here.
Russia Plans To Upgrade Over 10 Tu-160 Strategic Bombers By 2020
The MOD has announced that at least 10 Tu-160 White Swan strategic bombers will be modernized by 2020. There are currently 16 of these bombers in service with the Russian strategic bomber fleet, with plans to increase that number to 30. The Tu-160M, as the modernized version will be called, will be able to carry new weapons, and will come equipped with enhanced avionics and electronics, all of which will double the combat effectiveness of the Tu-160. This modernization is part of a bigger plan to modernize 70% of Russia’s armed forces, with particular attention being centered on strategic forces.
More information about the Tu-160 here.
The Project 955 Borei Class Submarine
The Project 955, also known as the Borei class (named after the North wind), is the latest Russian ballistic missile equipped, nuclear powered submarine (4th generation). The Borei class is intended to replace several older Russian submarines of the same class, such as the Delta-3 and Delta-4 submarines, and the Typhoon class submarine. The Yury Dolgoruky was the first submarine of the Borei class and it was laid down in 1996. However, due the to economic problems that Russia faced during the 1990′s, the submarine was not launched until 2007, and completed sea trials in 2010. Yury Dolgoruky was the first strategic submarine launched by Russia since the Soviet Union dissolved. On December 6th, 2010, a second Borei class submarine, the Alexander Nevsky, was launched and began sea trials during the following year.
The Borei class submarine has an estimated cost of 890 million dollars. The Borei class is 560 ft long, 43 ft wide, and has a max speed of 25 knots. The Borei class was specifically designed to carry SS-N-30 Bulava ballistic missiles, and can carry a total of 16 such missiles. The Bulava program had quite a few ups and downs, which left the Project 955 without a main weapon. However, recently the Bulava completed all testing, and the Borei class submarines will now be armed with them. The Borei class is also armed with torpedoes and RPK-2 cruise missiles.
There are currently two completed Borei class submarines, and two more under construction. The fourth one, named Svyatitel Nikolay, is expected to be modernized and renamed to the Project 955U Borei-2 class. One of it’s upgrades will be the ability to carry 20 Bulava missiles (instead of 16). By 2015, the Russian Navy plans to have 8 more Borei Class submarines in service, which will probably be upgraded Project 955U’s.
Tu-160 Blackjack Strategic Bomber Refueling In Mid-Air
Developed in the late 1980′s by the Tupolev bureau, the Tu-160 White Swan (NATO designation: Black Jack), was the last strategic bomber produced by the Soviet Union, and the most modern strategic bomber currently in Russian service. A total of 35 of these aircraft have been built, and 16 are currently in service with Russia’s strategic bomber fleet. The Tu-160 White Swan is the largest combat aircraft in the world, the largest supersonic aircraft in the world, and the largest aircraft with sweeping wings in the world. Excluding transports, no other military aircraft has a heavier takeoff weight than the Tu-160.
The Tu-160 has a speed of Mach 2, and an endurance of 15 hours at cruise speed. It is equipped with 4 Kuznetsov NK-321 after-burning turbofans, which are the most powerful engines ever used on combat aircraft. The Tu-160 has an integrated air-to-air refueling system, but it is rarely used due to the aircraft’s long endurance. Although the Tu-160 is not a stealth bomber, it was designed to have a lower radar signature, like its American counterpart, the B-1B. The Tu-160 is piloted by a crew of 4, and includes a toilet and a rest area for long-range flights. The Tu-160 is equipped with two internal weapon bays, with each capable of carrying up to 20,000 kg of ordnance.
The Tu-160 was developed to carry out long range strikes with conventional and nuclear weapons, in response to America’s B-1 strategic bomber project. It got its name, the White Swan, from its white anti-flash finish and maneuverability. The Russian air-force began modernizing its Tu-160′s in 2006. Some of the new upgrades for the Tu-160 included a new EWS (Electronic Warfare Suite) systems, full steering and cruising support via GLONASS, upgraded and more reliable engines, and new avionics that are resistant to nuclear emissions. The upgrade also allows the bomber to fire Kh-55 satellite-guided cruise missiles and laser-guided bombs. There is also a planned upgrade that will allow the bomber to fire missiles that launch civilian and military satellites.
