The R-12 missile is a medium-range ballistic weapon. It was produced with the introduction of high-boiling components that can be stored in a charged state for up to 30 days. Design work began at NII-88 in the winter of 1950. General management was carried out by Sergey Korolev, the code index of the complex is H2.
History of Creation
Research and development of the R-12 rocket was carried out on this topic, taking into account the need to use fuel for long-range analogues (kerosene and nitric acid). It is worth noting that the active phase of the development of this weapon fell at the end of 1952 under the control of V. S. Budnik. The design of the product practically repeated the dimensions of the R-5M analogue. When designing, several key points were taken into account:
- Providing the model with an autonomous control node.
- No radio correction.
- Possibility of a long stay ready for battle in a refueled form.
The Soviet Ministry of Defense fully supported the developer's initiative. The order on this issue was issued at the beginning of 1953. Tactical and technical parameters were determined in Aprilnext year. Despite the fact that the development of individual units and blocks began, the financing of the project practically stopped. Among the partners and subcontractors were the following organizations: OKB Glushko, NII-10, GSKB Spetsmash, NII-885.
Design Features
The development of the R-12 rocket (see photo below) was continued by OKB-586, reorganized in April 1954, headed by General Engineer Yangel. Two more specialized tasks were added to the design: increasing the range to two thousand kilometers and the possibility of carrying a nuclear charge. The project was named 8-K-63. We increased the length of the fuel tanks, strengthened the design, taking into account the changed overall parameters of the product, under which a new RD-214 propulsor was provided.
The draft version of the new R-12 missile was approved in the spring of 1955, and the decree on its creation appeared in August. It was planned to go to the tests in 1957. The chief designer is changing again, which was V. Grachev with his assistant Ilyukhin. In technical terms, the project was handed over in October 1955, the development and creation of the main parts fell on 1955 and 1957.
Begin testing
In 1956, the Presidium of the Communist Party approved the start of testing R-12 medium-range missiles in the fall of 1957. Starting combat testing of weapons was successful at the Zagorsk point. Three more similar tests were followed. The first flying copy was sent from the Kapustin Yar training ground in May 57th. The process was carried out on the “new” platform No. 4, and the technical andthe launch pad was equipped at points numbered 20 and 21. A total of eight launches were carried out, of which one was emergency.
As a result, it was decided to replace liquid nitrogen fuel with hydrogen peroxide. The next stage of technical testing was accepted in March of the 58th, and it began two months later. Of the ten launches, all turned out to be successful, after which the testing program was curtailed and mass production of R-12 missiles in the amount of 24 pieces began.
Design for service
Serial production of the complex in question began in the fall of 1958, it was adopted for service in the spring of 1959. The main purpose is to eliminate targets whose area is about 100 square kilometers. After being put into service, these units entered several units, including those operating with nuclear warheads.
Mass production of R-12 ballistic missiles began at several factories, namely:
- at base 586 in Dnepropetrovsk;
- in the city of Omsk (object No. 166);
- at Aviation Plant No. 47 in Orenburg;
- in Perm (plant number 172).
In total, 2300 copies were manufactured, the deployment of these weapons began in the B altic States, Belarus and Kazakhstan. The first regiment took up combat positions in May 1960. This type of missile was removed from service in 1989 in accordance with the agreement on the reduction of the RSDM.
Ground-based
The launch complex for launching R-12 and R-14 missiles is similar to similar versions provided forlaunch of analogues of the R-5M type. The project was developed by TsKBTM and includes:
- 8-U25 configuration portal installer;
- service platforms;
- improved carriage 8-U211;
- standard machine 8-U210 manufactured at Novokramatorsky Mashinostroitelny Kombinat.
At that time, the complex included 12 pieces of equipment. For launching the R-12U, the 8P863 design is provided. At the Kapustin Yar test site, two launch silos were erected, designed not only to test the weapons in question, but also to launch space launch vehicles of the 63С1 type.
Design nuances
When describing the features of the R-12 missile, its technological equipment based on the R-5M BRSDM should be noted. Even the dimensions provided before 1954 were identical to the previous model. Then they finalized and increased the size of the tanks, strengthened the design for the possibility of carrying nuclear warheads. The rocket layout includes a head compartment, an oxidizer reservoir, a front end, a tail compartment and a fuel tank.
The head part is made of steel coated with textolite asbestos coating. The warhead occupies three-quarters of the warhead volume and is equipped with a rounded bottom. This element ends with a kind of "skirt" of aerodynamic configuration. A part was separated using a pneumatic pusher with pyrobolts. The predecessor used pneumatic locks. The transition chamber is made of aluminum alloy through riveting with an duralumin frame.
Fuel tanks
These are the details of the R-12 rocket, the photo of whichpresented in the review, are made of special aluminum composition AMG-6M. This material perfectly resists corrosion and nitric acid, is fixed by automatic argon welding. Frames and stringers are made of duralumin type D-19AT, side compartments lining is made of a similar alloy of D-16T configuration. The oxidizer tank was placed in the upper part of the rocket, it is equipped with an intermediate bottom system that improves the centering of the unit due to the possibility of overflowing the oxidizer from one part of the tank to another cavity if necessary.
The reservoir is pressurized by means of the decomposition of the working fluid in the form of hydrogen peroxide, the temperature of which exceeds 500 degrees. On production models, this process is also carried out with the participation of compressed air. In the R-12U modification, the design of the oxidizing tank has been modernized, taking into account the calculation of alignment in an extended range. For this, it was not necessary to divide the tank into two parts, the pressure of compressed air masses was enough.
What other distinguishing features were there
Continuing the description of the R-12 rocket, it is worth noting that the instrument compartment in it is located between a pair of fuel tanks. Cable laying and pneumatic routes are carried out on the outer hull in special grottoes. The tail section to accommodate a four-chamber power unit is equipped with an expanding element in the form of a "skirt", which has pylons of static aerodynamic stabilizers. This design further improves centering. On theversion with suffix "U" these parts are not available.
The features of the material for the manufacture of missiles R-12 and R-14 include the following points:
- AMG alloy perfectly welded;
- it is not subject to corrosive processes;
- seams do not concentrate local stresses;
- material is not very strong, but has a high plasticity index;
- B-95 alloy is not used in welded structures, borrowed from the Germans, designed specifically for the manufacture of jet military aircraft.
Steel of this type in the post-war years was widely used in civil and army aviation, its detailed study began only after the accidents of two AN-10 aircraft with many victims. Later, the material was replaced with D-16 alloy, processed by forging and pressing.
Technical characteristics of the R-12 missile
The following are the parameters of the weapon in question:
- engine length/diameter - 2380/1500 mm;
- motor weight - 0.64t;
- rocket length/hull diameter - 22.76/1.8 m;
- span stabilizers - 2, 65 m;
- structural mass and similar indicator of oxidizer - 4.0/2.9 t;
- weight of control system devices - 0.4 t;
- range - from 1.2 to 5.0 thousand kilometers;
- preparation for launch - 2-3 hours.
Engine
The power plant was created by OKB-586 on the basis of the existing developments on the RD-212 ZhR. They are associated with the development of the launch stage of the Buran cruise missile. In 1955-1957, there wasdesign and testing of the RD-214 type engine. During the tests, more than a hundred fire tests of the chambers were carried out, which made it possible to determine the optimal design of the cylindrical combustion chamber. It was equipped with a flat nozzle head and a three-level system for the formation of the working mixture, which made it possible to increase the economic effect and productivity.
Adjusting the parameters of the power unit in the full layout was carried out in two stages. Initially, the engineers corrected the launch and functionality checks over a period of time. At the next stage, fire tests were carried out related to the correction of pulse spreads in order to provide an accuracy indicator. It was empirically found that this parameter is best achieved when the engine is deactivated at the stage of the final traction stage. As a result, the RD-412 engine became the first powerful liquid-propellant rocket engine that operates at a throttle of up to 33 percent of the rated thrust. When creating this unit, it was believed that this process on nitric acid devices is impossible. At the final stage, the developers worked out the engine on the stands and during finishing tests. The thrust of the installation near the ground was 64.75 tons, in the void - 70.7 tons, in the final stage mode - 21 tons.
Other parameters:
- specific impulse - 230 units;
- type of oxidizer - AK-27I, which includes nitric acid, aluminum oxide, water and inhibitors;
- fuel - kerosene with polymer distillate and light oil;
- type of fuel supply - by superchargingtanks and turbine pump;
- work period - 140 seconds;
- starting fuel - self-igniter with an oxidizer, loaded before the main refueling.
Combat capabilities
When ready, the R-12 8K63 missile has several positions:
- Full readiness. All types of fuel are filled with starting fuel. The time spent in this state is 30 days, readiness for launch is 20 minutes.
- High readiness. The rocket is on the launch field, all the necessary data for launch has been entered into the system. Readiness before the start is 60 minutes, the period of being in this state is three months.
- High readiness of the second degree. Rocket in technical position with prepared gyro. In this state, the weapon can be kept for seven years (the entire warranty period). Estimated time to launch - 200 minutes.
- Constant readiness. The missile is in a checked condition, at the technical position, without a warhead and special devices.
The types of combat equipment of the R-12 missile, the characteristics of which are indicated above, include a conventional high-explosive warhead weighing 1.36 tons. In addition, the complex could be equipped with a nuclear warhead under the code "product 49".
Modifications
Several analogs have been developed on the basis of the considered type of weapon. Among them:
- Prototype R-12Sh. It is focused on carrying out launches from an experimental Mayak-type launcher. In the autumn of 1958, the orders of the marshalM. Nedelin, which indicated the need to build two mines at the Kapustin Yar test site. Several research institutes and design bureaus participated in the design. Such complexes were equipped with a starting glass in a concrete bunker. A test launch of an experimental rocket was made in September 1959. He turned out to be unsuccessful. Subsequently, the developers revealed the deformation of the steel cup, after the modifications they made several successful launches.
- Modification 8K63U. The features of the R 12 rocket of this type include its uniformity, which also allows it to be launched from ground-based launchers. For these purposes, the Dvina silo was built, the features of which we will consider in more detail later. The first launch of the combat unit was made in the autumn of 1961. Tests of new complexes were carried out until 1963, it was adopted in January of the 64th. The combat charge is distinguished by the absence of aerodynamic stabilizers and an upgraded control system.
- The R-12N model is also focused on underground and ground launch complexes. It aggregates with equipment of type 8-P-863. The mobile version of this device was put into service in July 1963, the division was based in Plunga.
Interesting facts
In January 1962, combat divisions of the 664th Missile Regiment took up combat duty. Already in February of the same year, all eight units also became operational and honed their skills in the course of complex exercises and special-purpose tactical exercises.
In June of the same year, Operation Anadyr was carried out, during whichit was supposed to place a division of three regiments in Cuba. This led to the Cuban Missile Crisis. American intelligence was able to detect R-12 missiles on the island, the purpose of which is to carry nuclear warheads. In the course of resolving the critical situation, the parties agreed on the withdrawal of these weapons. In November of the same year, the missiles themselves were removed and the launch pads were dismantled. The personnel left Cuba in December 1962.
In 1963, an experimental launch of an experimental model was carried out as part of the testing of the Rocket Plane, developed by the Chelomey design bureau.
In 1965, the total number of launchers in the country amounted to 608 units. Location of R-12 missiles: Ostrov, Khabarovsk, Razdolnoe, Kolomyia, Pervomaisk, Pinsk, Khmelnitsky and many other settlements that are advantageous in terms of strategic placement.
In the early 70s of the last century, an unmanned orbital rocket plane of the BOR type, designed by the Mikoyan Design Bureau, was tested. From 1976 to mid-1977, five launches of the A-350Zh and A-350R interceptor missiles were carried out. Testing took place at the Aldan training ground. The targets were conditional targets in the form of BSRD configurations 8-K63 and 8-K65. In addition, three launches of A-350Zh modifications were organized for the real goals of the 8-K63 project.
In 1978, the base with the indicated types of missiles in Lithuania (Plokshtin) was closed. In 1984, the R-12 and R-14 were located only in the European part of the Union, the total number was 24 pieces. In December 1987, an agreement was signed on the reduction of the INF Treaty. As a result, 65 deployed complexes, 105 non-deployed missiles and more were eliminated80 launch stations. According to unverified data, in 1988 the USSR had 149 missiles of this configuration in storage. In 1989, under an agreement between the Soviet Union and the United States, the R-12s were decommissioned. During serial production, 2300 units of this type of weapon were produced. The last copy was destroyed in May 1990 in the Brest region.
Export
Officially modifications R-12 and R-14 were not exported. There is evidence from some sources that the relevant documentation was transferred to China in the 60s of the last century. In fact, this information relates to the DongFeng-1 IRBM, which has a range of 1250 kilometers and is the Chinese analogue of the R-5M system.
Finally
USSR was famous for its military power. For one reason or another, not all projects were successful. This cannot be said about the R-12 and R-14 ballistic missiles. After many years of development, engineers have received a weapon that is truly frightening for many potential enemies and capable of carrying nuclear charges. At that time, this was a real breakthrough in the construction of such weapons. At the same time, the developers simultaneously produced a liquid-propellant rocket engine with characteristics that are practically unparalleled in the world.
