R-29RMU2 Lajner

The R-29RMU2 Liner is a Russian liquid-fuelled submarine-launched ballistic missile developed by the Makeyev Rocket Design Bureau and produced by the Krasnoyarsk Machine-Building Plant. Although derived from the R-29RMU Sineva SLBM, the Liner can carry twelve nuclear warheads, twice that of the Sineva's. Reportedly capable of piercing anti-ballistic missile defences, the Liner, with its high payload-mass ratio, was described by its developer as the best ballistic missile in existent. It is expected to enter service with the Russian Navy's Delta IV class submarines shortly after a successful test programme that spanned from May to September 2011.

History and design

On 9 August 2011, the Russian Ministry of Defense disclosed the details of the Liner SLBM, the first launch of which occurred on 20 May earlier that year. The authorities originally claimed the launch to be of a Sineva missile, but on 23 May revealed the missile fired was actually the Liner. The successful firing, aimed at the Kura Test Range, was conducted from the submarine K-84 Ekaterinburg.

The second launch of the Liner missile took place on 29 September 2011, from the submarine K-114 Tula in the Barents Sea aimed at the Kura Test Range. Following the second, successful Liner test, the Russian Navy decided to accept the missile into active service to augment the RSM-56 Bulava missile and improve the future viability of the Delta IV class submarines until at least 2030.

The Liner missile is a highly-advanced derivative of the three-stage liquid-propelled R-29RMU Sineva SLBM, which was accepted into service in 2007. While many technical details have not yet been disclosed, it is known that the missile is capable of carrying up to twelve low-yield nuclear warheads called MIRVs capable of striking several targets individually. This is twice the number of warheads the Sineva can carry, and, unlike those of the Sineva, these warheads can be of various yields with less warheads. While it shares flight characteristics with the Sineva, the Liner is equipped with improved systems to overcome anti-ballitic missile shields. Due to its high payload-mass ratio, the missile reportedly outclasses all solid-fueled strategic missiles in the Western Hemisphere and China.