R-29RMU2 Lajner
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The R-29RMU2 Liner is a Russian submarine launched ballistic missile with liquid propellant developed by the Makeyev State Rocket Center 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 shields, the Liner, with its high payload-mass ratio, was described by its developer as the best ballistic missile in existent. The missile is expected to enter service with the Russian Navy's Delta IV class submarines shortly after a test programme that spanned from May to September 2011.
History and design
On 9 August 2011, the Russian Ministry of Defense disclosed the first details of the Liner SLBM, the first launch of occurred on 20 May ealier that year.[1][2] The authorities originally claimed the launch to be of a Sineva missile, but on 23 May revealed the missile fired was actually the Liner.[3][4] The successful firing, aimed at the Kura Test Range, was conducted from the submarine Ekaterinburg.[5][6]
The second launch of the Liner missile took place on 29 September 2011, from the submarine Tula in the Barents Sea aimed at the Kura test range.[7][8] Following the second, successful Liner test, the Russian Navy decided to accept the missile into active service and augment the Bulava missile and improve the future viability of the Delta V class submarines until at least 2030.[9][10]
The Liner missile is a highly-advanced derivative of the three-stage liquid-propelled R-29RMU Sineva SLBM, which was commissioned 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 12 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. 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.
References
- ^ http://lenta.ru/articles/2011/08/10/liner/
- ^ http://www.ocnus.net/artman2/publish/Defence_Arms_13/New-Russian-Missile-Blows-Away-Competition.shtml
- ^ http://russianforces.org/blog/2011/05/what_is_liner_slbm.shtml
- ^ http://lenta.ru/news/2011/08/09/liner/
- ^ http://www.lenta.ru/articles/2011/08/10/liner/
- ^ http://russianforces.org/blog/2011/05/another_sineva_launch_from_eka.shtml
- ^ http://lenta.ru/news/2011/09/29/liner/
- ^ http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/world/2011-09/30/c_131168428.htm
- ^ http://english.ruvr.ru/2011/10/21/59100320.html
- ^ http://rusnavy.com/news/newsofday/index.php?ELEMENT_ID=12673