As it turns out, the R-29RM Sineva - a modification of the old R-29RM (SS-N-23) sea-launched missile, which recently completed flight tests from the "Ekaterinburg" submarine, now carries new warheads. The new warheads were developed by the Makeyev Design Bureau together with VNIITF/Chelyabinsk-70 (which probably indicates that they have new nuclear charge as well).
It is possible that the modification also involved changing the number of warheads that R-29RM can carry. A year ago, the defense minister, commenting on the successful launch of the R-29RM missile, mentioned that it carried three warheads, not the four that are listed in the START Treaty.
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On a related subject. A converted R-29 is supposed to launch a commercial payload any time soon. One website says that it might happen on the 27th of September. The payload was first to be launched a few days after that of the failed Volga launch with the solar sail, (june the 21st), but because of the first failure the second launch was postponed
Do you have any clue when this launch will now go ahead. The payload of this flight is supposed to be the new re-entry technique demonstrator, flown earlier on a converted R-29M
any input would be appreciated :)
There are two sea-based launches listed in the September-November plan - a "Demonstrator" R-29R/RSM-50 launch, which was scheduled on September 15, and a "Kompas-2" R-29RM/RSM-54 launch, scheduled on November 15. As we can see, the first one was postponed. I'll try to find more information about the launches.
Thanks in advance!
I guess the demonstrator is the new inflatable heat shield, developed by a german company, although their website hasn't been updated in ages. I believe the exact name of the payload is IRDT-2R: http://www.2r2s.com/demo_missions.html
The Kompas-2 is a project of Izmiran, but I can't really find what its task is going to be. Do you got a clue on what kind of the mission the second might be?
Kompas-2 is some kind earth-monitoring mission. As I understand, it's similar to the Tatiana, launched in January. However, it is a different spacecraft.