RT-2PM2 Topol-M

The RT-2PM2 «Topol-M» (Russian: РТ-2ПМ2 «Тополь-М», NATO reporting name: SS-27 "Sickle B"[4], other designations: SS-27 Mod 1,[5][6] RS-12M1, RS-12M2, formerly incorrectly RT-2UTTKh)[7] is one of the most recent intercontinental ballistic missiles to be deployed by Russia,[8] and the first to be developed after the dissolution of the Soviet Union.

In its Russian designation РТ stands for "ракета твердотопливная", raketa tverdotoplivnaya ("solid fuel rocket"), while УТТХ – for "улучшенные тактико-технические характеристики", uluchshenniye taktiko-tekhnicheskie kharakteristiki ("improved tactical and technical characteristics").

It is designed and produced exclusively by the Moscow Institute of Thermal Technology, and built at the Votkinsk Machine Building Plant.

The Topol-M may be deployed either inside a reinforced missile silo or from an APU launcher mounted on the MZKT-79221 "Universal" 16-wheeled transporter-erector-launcher.

[2] As a solid propellant design, the missile can be maintained on alert for prolonged periods of time and can launch within minutes of being given the order.

[16] The first flight test took place on December 20, 1994, during which the missile, launched from Plesetsk, hit its target 6,400 kilometres (4,000 mi) away.

[24] One of the Topol-M's most notable features is its short engine burn time following take-off, intended to minimize satellite detection of launches and thereby complicate both early warning and interception by missile defense systems during boost phase.

In January 2009 Russian sources hinted that the production of the mobile Topol-M missile would be shutting down in 2009 and that the new MIRVed RS-24 version would replace it.