July 23, 2015 marks the 30th anniversary since the RT-2PM2 Topol-M intercontinental ballistic missile became operational in the Russian Armed Forces. The missile considered among the most lethal and reliable weapons in the world.
The Topol-M is a fourth-generation missile complex built to hit all types of strategic targets in any combat condition.
Above: Russian soldiers stand near a Topol-M ICBM while participating in a rehearsal for the nation's Victory Day parade outside Moscow in Alabino on April 22, 2008.
Above: Russian soldiers stand near a Topol-M ICBM while participating in a rehearsal for the nation's Victory Day parade outside Moscow in Alabino on April 22, 2008.
The development of a new mobile missile system based on the RT-2P silo-based solid-fuel ICBM began in 1975 at the Moscow Institute of Thermal Technology. The development took into account the provision of the SALT II Treaty (Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty) between the USSR and US.
Above: A Topol-M missile is seen during Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to a missile unit in the Ivanovo region, some 250 km northeast of Moscow, December 14, 2006.
Above: A Topol-M missile is seen during Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to a missile unit in the Ivanovo region, some 250 km northeast of Moscow, December 14, 2006.
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© AP Photo
The missile was first test launched at the Plesetsk range on February 8, 1993. Tests continued until December 1987 in two stages. On July 23, 1985 a division version of the Topol ICBM entered service in the city of Ioshkar-Ola.
Above: Russian high ranking military officials look into an opened silo of a Russian intercontinental ballistic Topol-M missile at undisclosed location.
Above: Russian high ranking military officials look into an opened silo of a Russian intercontinental ballistic Topol-M missile at undisclosed location.
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The RT-2PM is a three-stage missile. All three stages are equipped with solid-fuel rocket engines with a fixed jet pipe. The missile has inertial autonomous flight control which utilizes an onboard GLONASS receiver.
Above: In this 2001 file photo a Topol-M intercontinental ballistic missile blasts off from an undisclosed location in Russia.
Above: In this 2001 file photo a Topol-M intercontinental ballistic missile blasts off from an undisclosed location in Russia.
The propelling system was developed by the Soyuz Federal Center for Dual-Use Technologies. It gives the missile a much higher acceleration than other ICBM types. They enable the missile to accelerate to the speed of 7,320 m/s (26,400 kmh).
Above: Sergei Ivanov, then-Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister, and Russian President Vladimir Putin (left to right) inspecting a Topol-M ICBM system while on a visit to a division of the Strategic Missile Forces deployed in Teikovo, Ivanovo Region.
Above: Sergei Ivanov, then-Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister, and Russian President Vladimir Putin (left to right) inspecting a Topol-M ICBM system while on a visit to a division of the Strategic Missile Forces deployed in Teikovo, Ivanovo Region.
As a solid propelled missile, the Topol-M can be maintained on alert for prolonged periods of time and can launch within minutes of being given the order.
Above: Topol-M intercontinental ballistic missiles during a parade marking the 69th anniversary of the victory in the Great Patriotic War, on Moscow's Red Square.
Above: Topol-M intercontinental ballistic missiles during a parade marking the 69th anniversary of the victory in the Great Patriotic War, on Moscow's Red Square.
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© AP Photo / Ivan Sekretarev
The missile length is 22.7 meters and the first stage has a body diameter of 1.9 meters. The body of the rocket is made by winding carbon fiber. The mass at launch is 47,200 kilograms, including the 1,200-kilogram payload.
Above: An officer looks out of his armored vehicle with a Topol-M intercontinental ballistic missile launcher seen right before the parade rehearsal in Moscow, Russia, May 7, 2014.
Above: An officer looks out of his armored vehicle with a Topol-M intercontinental ballistic missile launcher seen right before the parade rehearsal in Moscow, Russia, May 7, 2014.
The minimum range of the Topol-M is about 2,000 kilometers and the maximum range 10,500 kilometers. It is considered to have the highest accuracy of any Russian ICBM, with a CEP (circular error probable) of 200 meters.
Above: People look at a Topol-M ICBM passing by during a rehearsal for the Victory Day parade in Moscow on May 5, 2008.
Above: People look at a Topol-M ICBM passing by during a rehearsal for the Victory Day parade in Moscow on May 5, 2008.
The Topol-M carries a single warhead with a 550-kiloton yield.
Above: Topol-M intercontinental ballistic missiles drive through Red Square during the Victory Day parade in Moscow on May 9, 2010.
Above: Topol-M intercontinental ballistic missiles drive through Red Square during the Victory Day parade in Moscow on May 9, 2010.
The Topol-M may be deployed either inside a reinforced missile silo or from an APU launcher mounted on the MZKT-79221 16-wheeled transporter-erector-launcher. This mobile launcher is capable of launching a missile from any point along its route.
Above: Triumf S-400 anti-aircraft missile systems and Topol-M intercontinental ballistic missiles during a parade marking the 69th anniversary of the victory in the Great Patriotic War, on Moscow's Red Square.
Above: Triumf S-400 anti-aircraft missile systems and Topol-M intercontinental ballistic missiles during a parade marking the 69th anniversary of the victory in the Great Patriotic War, on Moscow's Red Square.
The missile was designed to be immune to any current or planned US missile defense system. It is capable of performing evasive maneuvers to avoid being hit by an interceptor. It also carries targeting countermeasures and decoys.
Above: An employee cleans a Topol-M ICBM launcher at an open-air military exhibition in Moscow on April 29, 2015.
Above: An employee cleans a Topol-M ICBM launcher at an open-air military exhibition in Moscow on April 29, 2015.
The Topol-M is the most popular mobile missile system in operation. Currently, it is the backbone of the mobile force of the Russian Strategic Missile troops. In 2014, the exploitation of the Topol-M was extended for 26 years.
Above: Russian Topol-M ballistic missiles drive through Red Square during a Victory Day parade rehearsal in Moscow on May 6, 2010.
Above: Russian Topol-M ballistic missiles drive through Red Square during a Victory Day parade rehearsal in Moscow on May 6, 2010.
