R-17 Elbrus

The rear section of an 8K14 missile, showing the fixed fins andthe graphite vanes that control the missile’s path.

R-17 on reload transport trailer with Zil-131 tractor

The R-17 Elbrus,[2] GRAU index 9K72 is a tactical bal-listic missile, initially developed by the Soviet Union. It isalso known by its NATO reporting name SS-1C Scud-B.It is one of several Soviet missiles to carry the reportingname Scud; the most prolifically launched of the series,with a production run estimated at 7,000 (1960–1987).Also designated R-300 during the 1970s, the R-17 wasderived from the R-11 Zemlya. It has been operated by32 countries and manufactured in four countries outsidethe Soviet Union. It is still in service with some.

The first mock-up was designed and built by Makeyev in1958–1959, before the programme was transferred to theVotkinsk Machine Building Plant in 1959 for mass pro-duction. The first launch was conducted in 1961, and itentered service in 1964.[3]

The R-17 featured important improvements over the R-11. The Isayev RD-21 engine used a combination ofinhibited red fuming nitric acid (IRFNA) oxidiser andunsymmetrical dimethylhydrazine (UDMH) fuel, fed intothe combustion chamber by fuel pumps that ensured amore consistent thrust. The guidance system, active onlyduring the boosted phase, uses three gyroscopes, thatgive it a Circular Error of Probability (CEP) of 450m[4]

(900m according to western sources.[5]) A nuclear war-head was designed for the R-17, with a selectable yield,from 5 to 70 kilotons. However it could also carry achemical warhead, containing 555 kg of viscous VX; aconventional weapon, with a single high explosive war-head; or a series of fragmentation payloads, using eitherhigh explosive, anti-tank or anti-runway munitions.[4]

MAZ-543 Uragan carrying SS-1с Scud B (9K72 Elbrus)

At first, the R-17 was carried on a tracked TEL similarto that of the R-11, designated 2P19, but this was notvery successful, as the vibration of the tracks had a ten-dency to interfere with the launch electronics. Produc-tion of this model was halted after Khrushchev cancelledthe production of heavy tanks in 1962, and a wheeledlauncher was designed by the Titan Central Design Bu-reau, becoming operational in 1967.[6] The new MAZ-543 vehicle was officially designated 9P117 Uragan, andits Russian crews nicknamed it Kashalot (sperm whale),because of its size.[7] The eight-wheeled MAZ-543 has aloaded weight of 37,400 kg, a road speed of 55 km/h anda range of 650 km. It can carry out the launch sequenceautonomously, but this is usually directed from a separatecommand vehicle. The missile is raised to a vertical po-

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2 4 REFERENCES

sition by means of hydraulically powered cranes, whichusually takes four minutes, while the total sequence lastsabout one hour.[4]

1 Combat use

Libya - It has been rumored that Scud-B’s were fired byGaddafi forces against rebels in the 2011 Libyan civil warduring the first phase of the war.[8] On 14 August 2011a confirmed Scud-B launch was detected by a US Aegisdestroyer, with the missile fired from Sirte and headingtoward rebel positions in Ajdabiya. The missile fell 80km off target in the middle of the desert, inflicting nodamage.[9] Eight days later, on August 22, three moreScud-B launches were detected by NATO.[10]

2 Specifications

• Range – 300 km,[1][11]

• CEP – 500–900 m[12]

• Type of fuel – liquid

• Preparation time – 1 hour

• Period of storage – 19 years (in stock), 6 month (incombat condition)

• Flight time – 15 minutes

3 See also

• Hwasong-5

• Hwasong-6

• R-11 Zemlya

• Scud

4 References[1] http://www.russianspaceweb.com/r17.html

[2] Johnston’s Archive - SOVIET/RUSSIANMISSILEDES-IGNATIONS

[3] Wade, Mark. “R-17”. Encyclopedia Astronautica. Re-trieved 2008-02-13.

[4] “SS-1 `Scud' (R-11/8K11, R-11FM (SS-N-1B) and R-17/8K14)". Jane’s Information Group. 26 April 2001.Archived from the original on 2007-12-15. Retrieved2008-02-12.

[5] “R-11/SS-1B SCUD-A R-300 9K72 Elbrus/SS-1CSCUD-B”. Federation of American Scientists. Septem-ber 9, 2000. Retrieved 2008-02-21.

[6] Zaloga, pp. 14–15

[7] Zaloga, p. 17

[8] Gilligan, Andrew (2011-05-08). “The forgotten frontlinein Libya’s civil war”. The Daily Telegraph (London).

[9] McElroy, Damien (2011-08-16). “Gaddafi fires Scudmissile at rebel forces”. The Independent. Retrieved 19September 2011.

[10] “NATO says Gaddafi forces fire three Scud-type rockets”.Reuters. 2011-08-22.

[11] http://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sat/soviet_missiles.htm

[12] http://inbsite.com/missiles1.html

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5 Text and image sources, contributors, and licenses

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