The development of the project "Sarmat" is engaged in the State Rocket Center. Academician V.P. Makeeva (Miass). Not so long ago, this company has updated its official website, adding a number of interesting data. Among other things, on the site during the update, some data appeared on the Sarmat project, as well as the first official image of a promising Russian ICBM. It should be recognized that not too much information has been published, however, it also solidly complements the existing picture.
According to the short article “Sarmat Development Experimental Design”, published in the Battle Missile Systems section of the site, work on a new project began in accordance with the government decree “On the State Defense Order for 2010 and the Planning Period for 2012-2013.” In June 2011, the SRC them. Makeeva and the Ministry of Defense signed a state contract for conducting the ROC with the Sarmat cipher. VG was appointed General Designer. Degtyar, chief designer - Yu.A. Kaverin. The aim of the project is to create a promising strategic missile system designed for use in the Russian nuclear forces with the aim of ensuring and effectively deterring a potential enemy.
The official image of the rocket "Sarmat" from GRTS them. Makeeva / Makeyev.ru
An image of a promising ballistic missile is now attached to the short description of the work. It does not differ in large size or detail, but it is still of interest. The depicted product has a cylindrical body of large elongation, on the walls of which you can see the characteristic bands, apparently indicating the power set. The rocket has a lively head fairing, and its tail part is equipped with an additional cylindrical unit covering the power unit. The case also has four prominent belts covering it. Also on the rocket, namely on its head, there are various thickenings, hatches, etc.
The first official image "Sarmat" is able to confirm some of the existing guesses, as well as refute others. Thus, a cylindrical unit on the tail of the product may be a powder accumulator of pressure necessary for the implementation of a “cold start”. The size and proportions of the hull suggest the use of a three-stage architecture with a separate step of breeding warheads. Such a layout of missiles was actively used in previous domestic projects.
It is not possible to establish any other details of the project from the published data. However, some features of the appearance of the PC-28 rocket have already been announced. For example, it is known about the use of liquid rocket engines at all levels. Taking into account the class of the rocket, the estimated starting weight is estimated at 100 or more. Various officials pointed to a throw-in weight around 5-10 t. As combat equipment, it is planned to use several warheads with special charges that can be maneuvered.
It is noteworthy that the lack of official information leads to the most daring assessments that are of particular interest. So, October 24 TASS news agency published an article "Grozny" Sarmat ": the heir to Voivode will overcome any PRO, in which military reviewer Viktor Litovkin announced his assessment of the appearance and characteristics of the PC-28. He recalled that the launch weight of the new rocket could be at the level of 100 t with an 10 tonne bombardment mass. Being significantly lighter than the existing P-36М2 Voyevoda missiles, the new Sarmat will have to differ from them in enhanced performance.
V. Litovkin claims that the PC-28 product will be able to send warheads to a range of about 17 thousand km against 10 thousand km from the "Governor". Such characteristics, in particular, will allow the missiles to be sent to the target via the South Pole, which will ensure the effect of surprise and exclude interception by the created anti-missile systems.
Also, a TASS military observer expects an increase in combat qualities in comparison with existing complexes. P-36M2 can carry only 10 warheads. In his opinion, the divided Sarmat warhead can carry at least a dozen warheads with individual guidance. 150-300 kt warheads will be able to be mounted on the breeding stage on the principle of "bunch of grapes". The block should be reset in accordance with the flight program, at the moment of reaching the required trajectory.
V. Litovkin assumes that warheads will approach their targets at hypersonic speeds greater than M = 17. In this case, the unit will be able to maneuver at the rate and height, further complicating tracking and interception. In this case, the combat unit will not be susceptible to interception by existing or prospective anti-missile systems, including those using space-based elements. Referring to unnamed rocket engineers, TASS observer claims that Sarmat simply will not notice the enemy’s missile defense system.
Also in the TASS article it is mentioned that the media have already published the possible designation of a promising hypersonic war unit: such a product is called Yu-71. Improving the accuracy of hitting the target, according to V. Litovkin, will allow the creation of nuclear warheads with a reduced charge power, as well as the development of kinetic systems of destruction that destroy the target only at the expense of their energy.
Also in the article "Grozny" Sarmat ": the heir to" Voivod "will overcome any missile defense system" provides approximate estimates of the quantitative aspects of the future rearmament of the Strategic Missile Forces. It is alleged that after the cessation of the exploitation of the Voyevoda missiles, the armed forces will have about 150 silo launchers of such a complex, which can be used to house the Sarmat products. Not all mines will receive new missiles, but a significant part of them will still remain in operation as part of the new missile systems. V. Litovkin assumes that in their number the new PC-28 will be noticeably inferior to the old P-36М2. The advantage in the number of warheads imposes some restrictions on the number of deployed missiles. In formulating such plans, limitations of existing international treaties should be taken into account, taking into account both land missile systems and systems of sea or air basing.
According to several reports of industry, the military and the media, to date, the SRC them. Makeeva and related organizations performed the bulk of the design work on the Sarmat theme. Moreover, a prototype rocket had already been manufactured for use in throwing trials. However, the first stage of inspections has not yet begun, which leads to a noticeable shift in the timing of the implementation of various works. So, in the middle of the summer it was claimed that the OCR "Sarmat" was several months behind the established schedule.
According to reports, by the end of last fall, the industry completed the production of the cast prototype of the PC-28 rocket. Until the end of 2015, this product was planned to be used in tests. The tests at the end of 2015 were soon canceled, and the first test run was moved to the spring 2016 of the year. However, a few weeks before a possible launch, unnamed sources in the defense industry told the press about another rescheduling. As it turned out, the mine launcher of the Plesetsk test site, which was planned to be used in tests, is not yet ready for them. The date of the first launch was moved to the second quarter of 2016.
In July of this year there were new posts on the timing. Reported some problems with the prototype engine first stage. Due to the need to correct the identified deficiencies, the throw tests of the finished prototype will be postponed to November-December. Because of this, flight tests will begin no earlier than the end of the first quarter of 2017. It was also mentioned that all problems with the launcher were successfully resolved.
According to recent reports, the first throwing tests of the prototype of the Sarmat RS-28 rocket should take place as soon as possible. Their conduct will allow the industry to continue work, resulting in the beginning of full-fledged flight design tests. Expand the mass production of new type MBRs planned by the end of the decade. Earlier it was reported that the first serial products will be transferred to the troops in 2019 year. It is possible that in the future the Sarmat project will again have to face certain difficulties, but the current pace of work directly indicates the intention of the industry and the military department to complete the project and begin rearming the Strategic Missile Forces.
On the materials of the sites:
http://makeyev.ru/
http://tass.ru/
http://ria.ru/
http://interfax.ru/