| SS-N-20 Sturgeon (R-39) |
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Country: Russia
Type: SLBM
Introduction: 1984 |
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The R-39 was a Soviet/Russian submarine launched ballistic missile (SLBM). It had the NATO reporting name of SS-N-20 Sturgeon and the bilateral designation RSM-52. It was carried on board submarines of the Typhoon class from 1983 until it was withdrawn from service in 2004.
Development work began in 1971 and the design gained official approval in 1973. Initial test flights from 1979 found problems in the solid-fuel boost engines, over half of the early flights failed. Later tests aboard a modified Typhoon class submarine were more successful and deployment began in May 1983, with 20 missiles in each submarine. At full deployment, 120 missiles were deployed with 1,200 total warheads.
Under the terms of the Start I and Start II treaties, from 1996 a number of R-39 missiles were destroyed. Throughout the 1990s, Typhoon class submarines and the R-39 missiles they carried were gradually withdrawn from service. All the missiles were decommissioned by 2004 and all but one of the Typhoon class submarines have been retired.
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| General Information |
| Developed by |
Russia |
| Deployed by |
Russia |
| Development Year |
1973 |
| Deployment Year |
1984 |
| Platform |
Typhoon class submarines(Project 941)(25,000tonne) with 20 missiles |
| Number deployed |
120(as of 1991),60(as of end of 1998) |
| Design |
Machine-Building Design Bureau(KBM) |
| Manufacturer |
Zlatoust |
| Dimensions and Performance |
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Length |
16.0m |
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Body Diameter |
2.4m(1st. stage), 2.3m(2nd. stage) |
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Launch Weight |
84,000kg(only missile) |
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Range |
8,300km |
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Accuracy |
500m CEP |
| Components |
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Propulsion |
3-stage solid fuel rocket motor with PBV-bus |
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Engine |
Pavlograd 3D65 |
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Payload |
10 RVs(MIRV) 2,250kg |
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Warhead |
100kT nuclear warhead |
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Guidance |
inertial with stellar reference update |
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