RT-23 UTTH ‘Molodets’ (15PO60 and 15P961) Missile Complexes

A highly effective and reliable missile complex 15PO60 combined the work done to develop three previous missile generations with some new engineering achievements.

The 15P961 is the only rail-mobile missile complex in history of missile weaponry to fulfill its operational mission owing to

• Disbanding of the rail-mobile missile complex into separate tactical elements
• Capability to launch missiles from any point en route
• Transition to required degrees of readiness
• Reduction of the processing operations time.

15Zh60 (SS-24 Mod 2) Missile

The basic difference between the 15Zh60 missile and earlier developed solid-propellant ICBMs was a higher degree of nuclear hardening provided by

• Specific multifunctional coating,
• Augmented consumption and performance characteristics of the first stage engine, with the hinged control nozzle used as a thrust-vectoring element,
• Level 2 hardened control system; super hardened warheads.

19 launches were conducted during joint flight tests, 94% of them successful. 

15Zh61 (SS-24 Mod 3) Missile

The missile inherited earlier proven design concepts and circuit designs related to the second and third stage flight control by deflecting the nose cone; ‘mortar’ staging; upper stage separation; and warhead deployment.

16 launches were conducted during joint flight tests, 84% of them successful.

15Zh60 and 15Zh61 Missile Basic Specifications