RT-2

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	Weapon: RT-2 Type: Rocket Artillery Country of Origin: USSR Year Adopted: 1968 Overall Length (mm): 21000.0 Overall Length (in): 826.77 Weight (kg): 49100.00 Weight (pounds): 108246.97

The RT-2 was the Soviet Union's first intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) to utilize solid-fuel propulsion, marking a significant leap in missile technology. Developed in the 1960s by the Moscow Institute of Thermal Technology, the RT-2 was designed to offer a more rapid and reliable response compared to earlier liquid-fueled ICBMs, such as the R-9 Desna. The missile featured a three-stage solid-fuel propulsion system, which allowed for faster launch readiness and reduced maintenance requirements. With a range of approximately 10,000 kilometers and the capability to deliver a single nuclear warhead, the RT-2 was intended to enhance the Soviet Union's strategic deterrence capabilities.

Entering service in 1971, the RT-2 was produced in relatively limited numbers, with around 60 missiles deployed in hardened silos. While its solid-fuel design was an improvement over liquid-fueled predecessors, early versions of the RT-2 faced technical challenges, including issues with accuracy and warhead delivery. These limitations, along with the rapid development of more advanced missile systems, led to its gradual replacement by the RT-2PM Topol series in the 1980s. Despite its relatively short service life, the RT-2 played a crucial role in validating solid-fuel missile concepts for Soviet strategic forces.

The RT-2 is remembered as a pivotal development in Soviet missile technology, setting the foundation for future solid-fuel ICBMs that would form the backbone of the USSR's nuclear deterrent. Although it was overshadowed by later advancements, its introduction marked a crucial shift in missile doctrine, allowing for faster and more survivable nuclear strike capabilities. Today, the RT-2 serves as an important milestone in Cold War arms development, demonstrating the Soviet Union's transition from cumbersome liquid-fueled missiles to more efficient and reliable solid-fuel designs.