Context:
Russia’s defence ministry recently announced a successful test fire of Yars intercontinental ballistic nuclear missile.
Relevance:
GS III: Science and Technology
Yars Missile: Russia’s Advanced ICBM
- Name: Yars (RS-24 or SS-29)
- Type: Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM)
- Warhead Capability: Multiple Independently Targetable Warheads (MIRVs)
Features
- Propellant: Three-stage, solid propellant system.
- Origin: Modified version of the Topol-M missile system.
- Launch Options: Can be launched from silos or mobile launchers.
- Dimensions: 23 meters in length; Launch weight of 49,600 kg.
- Range: Capable of reaching distances up to 10,500 km.
- MIRVs: Can be armed with up to 10 MIRVs, each carrying a 300-kiloton thermonuclear warhead.
- Manoeuvrability: Possesses the ability to manoeuvre during flight and deploy both active and passive decoys, enhancing its defense evasion capabilities.
Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM)
- Definition: Guided missile designed for delivering nuclear warheads, but versatile for other payloads.
- Range: Minimum of 5,500 km, with maximum ranges varying from 7,000 to 16,000 km.
- Speed and Range: ICBMs surpass other ballistic missiles in terms of speed and range.
- Example: Agni-V, an Indian ICBM, boasts a range exceeding 5,000 km.
-Source: Hindustan Times
