Voivode (rocket): characteristics of an intercontinental ballistic missile

Voevoda is a missile that belongs to intercontinental heavy-class missiles and was developed in Ukraine. The complex was created to defeat different types of targets that are protected by modern missile defense systems, and they are used in any kind of combat.

Missile Forces - Power of Russia

Strategic missile forces are special because they are the main component of the country's strategic nuclear forces . The main objective of the missile systems is to restrain possible aggression and hit the enemy’s strategic targets with various types of attacks. The Russian special forces missile forces include three missile armies and 12 missile formations. The armament of the complexes consists of 6 types of missiles of the 4th and 5th generations, three of which are based in mines, and three are mobile, soil-based.

The most powerful missile system in the world is considered to be the Voyevoda ballistic missile. It is capable of delivering about 10 warheads weighing 8 tons to a distance of 11.5 thousand kilometers. Its technical characteristics are much better than the most powerful American systems.

How were the tests

The first tests of the rocket complex occurred in 1986 - they were carried out at Baikonur. And a couple of years later the complex was put into service, after which it was tested using various types of military equipment. "Voivode" - a missile, which is considered one of the most powerful among intercontinental. The technological equipment of the complex does not find equal among analogues around the world, and the high level of performance characteristics serves as the guarantee that military-strategic parity can be easily maintained with a missile.

It is worth noting that the Voevoda was not easy to test, because of the 43 launches, only 36 were successful. And the very first start ended in an accident: the rocket, leaving the mine, fell back into the barrel, there were no casualties. But subsequent trials were safe and successful, and the Voevoda (aka Satan) was recognized as one of the most reliable in the world. It is planned that the missile will be armed right up to 2022, and then the Voyevoda missile will be replaced with a modern Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missile.

Main goals

During the development, the manufacturers aimed at providing a qualitatively new level of performance characteristics and high combat effectiveness. As a result, the Voevoda intercontinental ballistic missile was developed in the following directions:

1. The survivability of PU and KP increased.
2. The stability of combat control was ensured in any conditions of use of the complex.
3. The operational capabilities for re-aiming missiles expanded, in particular when firing at unplanned target designations. The speed of the Voevoda rocket and the launch time from full combat readiness are striking in terms of performance - no other missile system in the world can compare with them.
4. The flight resistance was ensured in flight to damaging factors from the ground and high-altitude nuclear explosions.
5. The autonomy of the complex increased.
6. The warranty period of a rocket launcher increased .

The Voyevoda complex is a missile that is distinguished by reliable operation and survivability several times more compared to many missile systems.

What are the features?

During testing, the rocket gained greater resistance to various influences. Combat use of the complex has become more effective and efficient due to several factors:

1. The accuracy of the complex was increased by 1.3 times.
2. Charges of greater power began to be used.
3. The area of ​​the breeding zone of warheads increased by 2.3 times.
4. The complex starts from different modes.
5. Voyevoda nuclear missile began to work three times longer in autonomy mode.
6. The time for combat readiness was halved.

Thanks to equipping the complex with advanced technical solutions, he began to possess the best energy capabilities.

Depreciation system

The development of the missile system was carried out on the basis of past achievements using to the maximum available modern engineering structures, communications and systems. As a result, the Voevoda is a missile that is highly efficient, runs on liquid fuel, is fully amputated and designed to destroy critical targets in a different range. The development of the rocket was carried out according to a two-stage scheme, in which steps and systems that parted the main elements of equipment were sequentially located. The energy capabilities of the complex were increased due to several factors:

1. The engine performance was improved, the optimal scheme for turning off the remote control was introduced.
2. A propulsion system of the second stage was performed in the fuel cavity.
3. Improved aerodynamic characteristics.

The propulsion installation is a four-chamber liquid propellant rocket engine, which is equipped with rotary combustion chambers - they are put forward in flight to the working position. The rocket also uses a universal fluid system, which has become the key to quick and high-quality assembly of the complex at the factory.

Management Features

The Voevoda intercontinental ballistic missile has a guided warhead that has the shape of a biconical body and has minimal aerodynamic drag. The missile control system was thought out in such a way that several goals were achieved at once:

1. Efficiency was ensured after the effects of a nuclear explosion in flight.
2. The warheads were divorced as accurately as possible.
3. A direct guidance method was used that did not require the preparation of a special flight mission.
4. Provides remote targeting.

Especially for solving these problems, the rocket is equipped with a powerful on-board computer complex. The Voivode missile, the characteristics of which inspired fear, is distinguished by unique combat and operational performance. All characteristics of the complex are confirmed by numerous tests in the air and on the ground. The missile launches showed that it is reliable.

The most powerful in the world

“Voevoda” is a missile system, which entered combat duty in the last century. In 1979, General Designer Utkin V.F. proposed a new technical solution for the missile system. In 1992, about 88 launchers were deployed, with the missile remaining the most powerful and heaviest in the world. Its weight is more than 200 tons, and the total volley of one missile division in power is 13,000 atomic bombs.

The R-36M2 Voyevoda missile is equipped with a perfect and modernized set of means capable of overcoming missile defense and breaking through the SDI system. There are 10 warheads in the rocket, which are covered by a fairing that is thrown in flight - they are placed on a special frame in two rows. The rocket engine is a 4-chamber liquid propellant rocket engine, which has rotary combustion chambers - they are put into operation during flight.

The main differences

1. The missile is highly resistant to damaging factors due to a nuclear explosion.
2. It can be launched even after the enemy struck at the positions of the missile system.
3. A special dark heat-shielding coating facilitates the passage of a rocket through a cloud of dust that forms after a nuclear explosion. Such a coating provides survivability of the missile system.
4. The rocket is equipped with special sensors that measure neutron and gamma radiation, registering a dangerous level. When the rocket passes the nuclear "mushroom", the control system turns off, but the engines continue to work.
5. To create the missile body, high-strength materials were used - aluminum-magnesium cured (hardened) alloy.
6. The Voevoda intercontinental ballistic missile has a well-thought-out control system, which is hidden in the sealed enclosure of the instrument compartment. The system remains stable until the rocket leaves the danger zone. After that, the automation is turned on, and the control system corrects the trajectory of the complex.
7. The pneumohydraulic system of the rocket is simple, it has quite a few automatic elements. Accordingly, there is no need for preventive maintenance.

The missile system is fueled by aggressive components of liquid fuel, but at the same time it has been on alert for about 25 years. The rocket engines are adapted to difficult combat conditions: they increased their thrust, made the main systems and elements of the complex more stable.

Features of the "Governor"

The missile "Satan" ("Voivode") is multi-purpose and is designed to hit a variety of targets. The features of the complex include the following:

1. Start is carried out from the mine.
2. The missile is two-stage and operates on high-boiling fuel components.
3. Management of the complex is automatic, based on the on-board computer.
4. Different types of military equipment (warheads) can be used.
5. The know-how embodied only in this missile is a mortar launch.

Modifications

There are several modifications of the "Governor". The first is the R-36M UTTH, which is a third-generation missile system. He is able to hit up to 10 targets with one missile, including especially large or small targets on the square. This complex is characterized by increased firing accuracy, an increase in the number of warheads.

Dnepr is a rocket created on the basis of the Voevoda complex. The photo shows that we have a modified missile in which additional orientation and stabilization engines, a control system, and an elongated head fairing were modified.

Key Perspectives

Initially, the Voevoda missile combat duty limit was set for 2018, and now we are talking about 2026. Experts say that already now the missile system has exceeded the warranty period of operation, while the duration of its combat duty is already about 24 years. At the moment, work is underway to increase the life of the rocket to 30 years, so it is planned to maintain this complex in the combat structure of strategic missile forces until 2022.

Experts believe that it is possible to increase the maximum possible life of Voyevoda missiles because they are distinguished by technical excellence, which is expressed in the design and technological solutions of the complexes. It was also noted that the Voevoda RS-20V will be in the combat structure of the Russian missile forces until 2026.

conclusions

The Voyevoda missile system is unique: first launched back in 1986, it caused a lot of controversy and disagreement. What cost only unsuccessful launches that could put an end to these complexes ... But the timely modernization and use of modern technology led to the Voevoda rocket eventually becoming the most powerful and heavy in the world, falling into the Book of Records for these indicators Guinness. Thanks to the well-thought-out design and perfect systems that the missile is equipped with, it has been in service on alert for a quarter of a century.

The Voyevoda missile system (Satan) is good because it is invulnerable to missile defense, since the complex's warheads in flight accompany false blocks. At the same time, their dispersion area and plasma traces are the same as that of real warheads, which confuses the enemy. In addition, it is a very protected weapon located in mines inaccessible to enemy attacks. And most importantly: the complex can stand in a mothballed state for about 10 years and start in just 30 seconds.