Delivery of Russian RS-28 Sarmat ICBM missile scheduled for 2020


The delivery of the RS-28 Sarmat (NATO reporting name SS-X-30) fifth-generation intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) to Russia's military is scheduled for 2020, President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin said at the fourth, closing in the current session, meeting with top military authorities and defense industry.


Delivery of Russian RS 28 Sarmat ICBM missile scheduled for 2020 925 001
Russian-made  RS-28 Sarmat ICBM InterContinental Ballistic Missile launcher unit (Picture source Video footage Youtube)


"The systems, which will beef up our strategic forces in the foreseeable future, I mean, first of all, the Sarmat system, which is to be delivered to the troops in 2020, the Avangard system, the delivery of which is scheduled for 2019, and other complexes, are being tested within the original schedule," Putin said.

The head of Russia called for saving of reliability, effectiveness, and ease-of-operation of Russian armaments during digitalization. "It is important to retain traditional advantages of Russian weapons, namely, reliability, effectiveness and ease-of-operation, during development and manufacturing of new generations of armaments," he said.

Putin said the current state of military affairs places special emphasis on the introduction of artificial intelligence and robotics. He call Russian specialists for paying specific attention to these very aspects. The head of Russia reminded that several advanced systems are being put into operation, namely, the Kinzhal hypersonic air-launched missile. He also said the newest laser complexes are deployed to the Southern Military District.

The exchange of innovations between civil and military segments of the national economics is pivotal, Putin added. "We shall provide high flows of innovations between civil and military segments of the national economics, considering the fact that recent technological trends are mostly common," the head of Russia concluded.

The RS-28 Sarmat NATO reporting name SS-X-30 is a Russian-made ICBM (InterContinental Ballistic Missile) that will replace the old R-36M missile (SS-18 Satan). The first successful ejection test of the missile was reportedly carried out in late December 2017 at the Plesetsk Cosmodrome. According to the report, the missile flew several dozen kilometers and fell within the test range.

According to Russian military sources, the RS-28 Sarmat will have an approximate operational range of 11,000 km. It can be fitted with various type of warhead. At the maximum reported throw-weight of up 10,000 kg, the missile could deliver a 50 Mt charge (the maximum theoretical yield-to-weight ratio is about 6 megatons of TNT per metric ton, and the maximum achieved ratio was apparently 5.2 megatons of TNT per metric ton in B/Mk-41).