Ten years ago, Russia completed experimental design work (R&D) on the creation of a sea three-stage intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) R-29RMU2.1 "Liner".
The key role in the implementation of the project was played by the specialists of JSC “SRC named after academician V.P.
Makeeva "(Miass, Chelyabinsk region) Yuri Kaverin and Boris Smirnov.
The first test launch of the rocket took place on May 20, 2011 in the Barents Sea from the mine of the Yekaterinburg nuclear submarine.
The Liner warhead successfully hit the target at the Kura training ground in Kamchatka.
The new ICBM was officially adopted by the Navy in January 2014.
The serial production of missiles was deployed at the facilities of the Krasnoyarsk Machine-Building Plant JSC.
"Outperforms all modern naval missiles"
The Liner is a representative of the class of liquid-propellant ICBMs, which were developed as part of the program for the rearmament of Project 667BDRM Dolphin submarine cruisers built in the 1980s.
The goal of this modernization was to extend the operational life of the submarines until 2030.
This type of nuclear-powered submarines is part of the Northern Fleet and still forms the basis of the naval component of Russia's strategic nuclear triad, but in the coming years the role of the main strike force of the Navy should be transferred to the family of the new generation of Project 955 Borey submarines.
Each submarine of the 667BDRM project houses 16 launchers.
The peculiarity of cruisers of this type is the possibility of launching ICBMs in any direction relative to the course of movement.
Under water, rockets, as a rule, fly out at depths of up to 55 m at a speed of 6-7 knots (11.1-12.9 km / h).
If necessary, ammunition can be launched in one salvo.
R-29RMU2.1 was created on the basis of R-29RMU2 "Sineva", on which work took place from 1998 to 2007.
The firing range of this missile exceeds 11.5 thousand km.
The ICBM received warheads of the middle class of power, anti-missile defense equipment, a satellite navigation system and a computer complex "Malakhit-3".
"The fundamental difference between this machine (" Sineva ". -
RT
) from its predecessor (R-29RM. -
RT
) is that it has changed the size of the steps, installed ten nuclear units for individual guidance, increased the security of the complex from the action of an electromagnetic pulse, a system for overcoming the enemy's missile defense has been installed, ”the materials of the RF Ministry of Defense say.
As reported earlier in an interview to the Interfax news agency, the general designer of the SRC im.
Makeeva Vladimir Degtyar, "Sineva" has significant modernization potential.
The proof of this, as the scientist emphasized, is the development of the Liner.
In a commentary on RT, the founder of the Military Russia portal, Dmitry Kornev, noted that the R-29RMU2.1 is unified with the Sineva for most of its components, but it compares favorably with it by the ability to install warheads of various capacities and more advanced missile defense systems.
Submarine project 667BDRM
RIA News
© Pavel Lvov
In the SRC them.
Makeeva argue that the "Liner" is not inferior to the American UGM-133A Trident II ICBM in terms of combat equipment, and "in terms of energy perfection (technical level) it surpasses all modern sea missiles of Great Britain, China, the United States and France."
"The multivariance of the combat equipment of Russian missiles will allow to adequately respond to changes in the foreign policy situation associated with the deployment of an anti-missile defense system or treaty restrictions on the number of warheads," the developer's website explains.
Depending on the assigned tasks, the Liner can be equipped with three types of weapons: ten small-power warheads with anti-missile defense systems, eight of the same class with enhanced anti-missile defense capabilities, or four middle-class ones with complexes to break through enemy defense systems.
Liner missiles can carry a mixed configuration of warheads of different power classes.
The operation of any combination of missiles and their combat equipment on submarines of the 667BDRM project is ensured by the modernized shipborne digital computer system "Arbat-U2.1"
Makeeva.
The developer does not disclose the tactical and technical characteristics of his brainchild.
However, it follows from Degtyar's words that the Liner's range is equivalent to Sineva (over 11.5 thousand km).
Only approximate information about R-29RMU2.1 has been disseminated in the media.
According to open data, the length of the Liner is about 15 m, the hull diameter is 1.9 m, the launch weight is 40.3 tons, the payload (throw weight) is up to 2-2.8 tons, the guaranteed service life is 18- 20 years, circular probable deviation (accuracy indicator) - no more than 250 m.
Degtyar believes that the high technical characteristics of the Liner were achieved thanks to a number of innovations: the increased size of the circular and arbitrary zones for disengagement of warheads, the use of flat trajectories “in the entire range of firing ranges in astro-inertial and astro-radio-inertial (with correction using GLONASS satellites. -
RT
) modes operation of the control system ".
Overcoming missile defense
In an interview with RT, the editor-in-chief of the National Defense magazine Igor Korotchenko noted that the Russian Defense Ministry made an adequate decision by launching a program to re-equip Project 667BDRM cruisers with the placement of Liner-type missiles.
“The creation of this ICBM allowed keeping Project 667BDRM submarines in service and at the same time strengthening the naval component of our nuclear triad.
The modernization was dictated by the need to improve the capabilities of overcoming the missile defense of a potential enemy, ”said Korotchenko.
According to the expert, there is every reason to believe that the Liner is able to cope with the task of breaking through any missile defense system, like the R-30 Bulava naval ICBM, which is part of the arsenal of Project 955 submarine cruisers.
As Dmitry Kornev explained, in terms of energy characteristics, Liner confidently surpasses Bulava.
In practice, this advantage translates into a higher range and a larger payload.
According to the expert, Sineva and Liner are the most powerful and efficient missiles in the world.
“However, it is necessary to understand that liquid and solid-propellant ICBMs are weapons of different classes.
Liquid-propellant rockets a priori have the best energy and mass characteristics.
At the same time, they are not devoid of certain drawbacks, ”says Kornev.
Loading ICBM R-29RMU2.1 "Liner" into the mine of the nuclear submarine cruiser of project 667BDRM
© JSC "State Rocket Center named after Academician V.P.
Makeev "
The main problem with liquid-propellant ICBMs is the less safe (compared to solid-propellant samples) operating conditions.
In addition, Liner is structurally more complex, which naturally makes its production very time consuming, argues Kornev.
“Another disadvantage of liquid-propellant ICBMs when compared with solid-propellant samples is the so-called liquid start.
Before launch, the mine where the missile is located is filled with water, which increases the likelihood of detection by the enemy.
The Bulava has a dry start and a short active (initial -
RT
) flight section, "Kornev noted.
On the whole, according to the expert, Moscow is moving in the right direction, betting on the construction of Boreyevs with an arsenal of relatively simple, lightweight and safe solid-propellant missiles of the Bulava type.
Nevertheless, according to Kornev, liquid ICBMs will play a significant role in the naval component of the Russian nuclear forces for a long time to come.
“The power of liquid-propellant naval ICBMs will definitely be in demand as long as Project 667BDRM submarines are in service.
It cannot be ruled out that the planned date of their decommissioning will shift to the right.
Thus, the Liner will participate in ensuring the nuclear deterrence of the United States and its allies for about 20 years, ”summed up Kornev.