Russia Reveals Avangard Hypersonic Missile System
Stephen Pendergast
Systems Engineering Consulting of Complex Radar, Sonar, Navigation and Satellite Comm Systems
The documentary cycle is dedicated to the story of the most dramatic events in the history of astronautics. Revealing the secrets of overcoming the laws of nature that restrict the possibility of flight beyond the Earth's atmosphere, the documentary cycle also debunks the myths associated with the modern understanding of the history of astronautics, names forgotten names, analyzes the problems faced by the designers of rocket technology of the 20th century. The film will also reveal the mystery of the confrontation between the USSR, Germany and the United States in the rocket-space "race".
The development of a future ICBM with a brand-new payload type in the form of a gliding vehicle was a real technological breakthrough. The testing of Avangard has been successfully concluded. According to available information, Avangard can reach the top speed of Mach 20 and is one of the possible payload options for RS-28 Sarmat. The RS-28 was initially scheduled to enter service in 2018 with 50 missiles on order. After several technical delays, the Sarmat missile is planned to enter service in 2021.
The warhead can fly in dense layers of the atmosphere over intercontinental distances, while performing evasive dog-legs both horizontally (up to several thousand kilometers) and vertically. Specialists assess that the Avangard has not only an aerodynamic control system but also a propulsion system to be able to perform such maneuvers.
In spite of flying in a plasma cloud, the warhead can receive signals from its command center. It used to be an impossible task, since plasma blocks higher frequency radio waves. Another challenge that was successfully overcome was the problem of heat insulation. It cannot be ruled out that the Avangard uses new generation high-temperature ceramic composites that use silicon carbide, capable of withstanding temperatures of up to 2,000 C. By mid-March it was announced that the first Avangard carriers would become the UR-100N UTTKh (SS-19 Stiletto) ICBMs that will most likely become part of the RS-24 Yars strategic missile system. About 30 of these missiles were delivered from Ukraine in the early ‘00s to cover natural gas debts. After the Soviet break-up, they were stored un-fueled. Once Sarmat is adopted, it too will carry Avangard warheads. The Russian MOD already signed a contract for serial delivery of Avangards, and they will enter line service in the near future.