RT-2PM Topol

RT-2PM Topol SS-25 Sickle
A Topol on a MAZ-7917 mobile launcher at a Victory Day Anniversary Parade Rehearsal in Moscow, 2008.
Type	Intercontinental ballistic missile
Place of origin	Soviet Union
Service history
In service	1985–present
Used by	Russian Strategic Missile Troops
Production history
Designer	Alexander Nadiradze (Moscow Institute of Thermal Technology), continued after his death by Boris N. Lapygin.
Manufacturer	Votkinsk Machine Building Plant
Produced	1985
Specifications
Weight	45,100 kg (99,400 lb)
Length	29.5 m (97 ft)
Diameter	1.8 m (5 ft 11 in)
Warhead	Single 800 kt warhead
Engine	Three-stage Solid-fuel rocket
Operational range	10,000 km (6,200 mi)
Speed	approx. 7 kilometres per second (25,000 km/h; 16,000 mph; Mach 21)
Guidance system	Inertial, autonomous
Accuracy	200 m CEP
Launch platform	Road-mobile TEL

The RT-2PM Topol (Russian: РТ-2ПМ Тополь ("Poplar"); NATO reporting name SS-25 Sickle; GRAU designation: 15Ж58 ("15Zh58"); other designations: RS-12M Topol) is a mobile intercontinental ballistic missile designed in the Soviet Union and in service with Russia's Strategic Missile Troops.

The three stage solid propellant RT-2PM Topol is an improved mobile ICBM which replaced earlier outdated missile complexes. It emerged from the same line of development as mobile missiles such as the RT-21 Temp 2S and the RSD-10 Pioneer, and was deployed as a replacement for the widely deployed UR-100. The United States considered developing their own road-mobile ICBM called the Midgetman, but the program was canceled with the end of the Cold War.

Development of the RT-2PM was approved on July 19, 1977 and carried out by the Moscow Institute of Thermal Technology headed by A. D. Nadiradze. Flight tests were conducted on the Plesetsk test site from February through December 1985. The main problem that had to be overcome during this period was the development of battle management system. After the first test series was successfully conducted in April 1985, with the first regiment with Topol missiles put on alert in July 1985. Throughout this time work continued on improving the battle management system. The test missile firings were finally completed in December 1987. The first regiment of "Topol" missiles employing a modernized mobile command center (in the area of Irkutsk) were put on alert on May 27, 1988. After Nadiradze's death in 1988 Boris N. Lapygin continued his work on the Topol missile.

The RT-2PM ICBM was designed to be road mobile and is mounted on a heavy truck (MAZ-7310 or MAZ-7917).