On June 7, 2012 the Strategic Rocket Forces carried out a successful test launch of a Topol/SS-25 ICBM. The launch took place at 21:39 MSK (17:39 UTC) toward the Sary-Shagan test site.
According to a Rocket Forces representative, the launch was used to confirm the characteristics of the Topol missile, to test various measurement systems, and to further test new combat payload of ICBMs.
Normally, in test flights from Kapustin Yar to Sary Shagan Russia tests new warheads and various missile defense countermeasures. The most recent test of this kind took place in September 2011.
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the launch happened from LC107 - there they have build a sliding roof garage for Topol launches
see http://desmond.imageshack.us/Himg259/scaled.php?server=259&filename=kapustinyarlc107topolla.jpg&res=landing
This launcher was filmed by various people over the ME, some thought it was a UFO. Some still believe it's a UFO after being told it was a Russian missile. I noticed it was a plain Topol, does anybody know how old it was or what warhead was tested?
Hi,
I have an OT question again: What happens to the TEL truck of phased out Topol systems? Do they go straight to the scrapyard or do they get a second civil life as special purposes vehicle of some kind?
Martin
In START, there was an elimination procedure. There must be one in the New START as well. As far as I remember, they could still be used for something, but these are very specialized vehicles.
START allowed further use of the 7-axial chassis, but only not as the carrier fot mobile ICBM:
http://www.pircenter.org/WebHelp/Dss_omu/_____283.htm
Here in such cut option:
http://русская-сила.рф/guide/army/tr/maz7917-5.jpg
But it had no commercial demand. At least I don't know about civil buyers.
Pavel/Alexander: Thanks for the information, somewhat a pitty that those trucks don't find another purpose in life. I worked on an exploration project last year in Australia where we had a former PershingII or GLCM missile carrier (modified MAN gl 8x8) as a water truck. Did a great job.
I saw some draws about the prospective mobile X-band radar (MARS) mounted on a chassis like the one of the Topol. There were just speculations.
Only very small amount of the 6-axial SS-20 TEL (MAZ-547A) found the second life as the chassis for cranes (loading capacity of 80, 100 or 120 tons):
http://www.techstory.ru/krans/avto/maz_kran_ks7571.htm
http://www.techstory.ru/krans/avto/maz_kran_ks8561.htm
http://www.techstory.ru/krans/avto/maz_kran_ks8571.htm
But for civil use these chassis possessed a number of negative properties:
-- very big dimensions and weight;
-- high noise level of the engine (tank diesel);
-- big fuel consumption and small speed on roads;
-- high оperation and service cost.
Therefore civil buyers prefer the chassis which have been specially developed for civil commercial tasks.