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Graphic shows specifications of the RS-28 Sarmat ICBM
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MILITARY

Russia to test Sarmat heavy ICBM

By Jordi Bou

March 6, 2019 - Russia’s new intercontinental-range ballistic missile (ICBM), the super-heavy thermonuclear-armed RS-28 Sarmat, is due to make its first test flight early this year.

The RS-28 Sarmat (NATO designation: SS-X-30 Satan 2), is a replacement for the Voevoda, or SS-18 Satan missile, the biggest and most deadly Soviet-era missile of the Cold War.

The Sarmat can reportedly carry 10 warheads and has practically no range restrictions.

The liquid-fuelled missile, which weighs 200 tonnes, is said to be capable of unleashing ten large thermonuclear warheads with an explosive yield of up to 750 kilotons. The Hiroshima atomic bomb was around 15 kilotons.

The Sarmat can also deliver Russia’s new Avangard hypersonic glide vehicle (HGV), capable of carrying a nuclear payload at 20 times the speed of sound.

Avangard’s high speed, low trajectory and mid-flight manoeuvrability could make it immune to interception by America’s THAAD shield system.

With a range of more than 10,000km, the Sarmat can make a circumterrestrial flight and hit targets on the other side of the planet from unexpected directions within one hour.

Serial production of the RS-28 Sarmat missile is slated to begin in 2020.

Sources
PUBLISHED: 06/03/2019; STORY: Graphic News
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