The RT-2UTTKh Topol-M (NATO reporting name: SS-27 Sickle B, other designations: RS-12M1, RS-12M2, RT-2PM2) is one of the most recent intercontinental ballistic missiles to be deployed by Russia (see RS-24), and the first to be developed after the dissolution of the Soviet Union.
In its Russian designation РТ stands for "ракета твердотопливная," Raketa Tverdotoplivnaya ("solid fuel rocket"), while УТТХ - for "улучшенные тактико-технические характеристики," uluchshenniye taktiko-tekhnicheskie kharakteristiki ("improved tactical and technical characteristics"). "Topol" (тополь) in Russian means "poplar". It is designed and produced exclusively by the Moscow Institute of Thermal Technology, and built at the Votkinsk Machine Building Plant.| RT-2UTTKh Topol-M SS-27 Sickle B | |
|---|---|
| Type | Intercontinental ballistic missile |
| Place of origin |  Russia |
| Service history | |
| In service | December 1997 |
| Used by | Russian Strategic Rocket Forces |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Moscow Institute of Thermal Technology |
| Manufacturer | Votkinsk Machine Building Plant |
| Produced | December 20, 1994 |
| Specifications | |
| Weight | 47,200 kg (104,000 lb) |
| Length | 22.7 m (74.47 ft) |
| Diameter | 1.9 m (6 ft 3 in) |
| | |
| Warhead | Single 550 kt warhead |
| | |
| Engine | Three-stage solid propellant |
| Operational range | 11,000 km (6,800 mi) |
| Speed | 10,800 mph (17,400 km/h) |
| Guidance system | Inertial with GLONASS |
| Accuracy | 200 m CEP |
| Launch platform | Silo, road-mobile TEL |
Missile defense evasion capabilities
According to Russia the missile is designed to be immune to any current or planned U.S. missile defence system. It is claimed to be capable of making evasive maneuvers to avoid a kill by terminal phase interceptors, and carries targeting countermeasures and decoys. It is shielded against radiation, EMP, nuclear explosions at distances over 500 meters, and is designed to survive a hit from any laser technology.
One of the Topol-M's most notable features is its short engine burn time following take-off, intended to minimize satellite detection of launches and thereby complicate both early warning and interception by missile defense systems during boost phase. The missile also has a relatively flat ballistic trajectory, complicating defense acquisition and interception.
According to The Washington Times, Russia has conducted a successful test of the evasive payload delivery system. The missile was launched on November 1, 2005 from the Kapustin Yar facility. The warhead changed course after separating from the launcher, making it difficult to predict a re-entry trajectory.
