The R-17 Elbrus (Scud-B) is a Russian medium-range, one-stage, ballistic missile, which was designed to attack heavily-protected command post, communication centers, and group targets with pin-point accuracy. Adopted for service in 1962, it was developed by the Soviet Union during the Cold War and deployed, with nuclear warhead in Eastern European countries aiming at the West. Since then, the system has been upgraded three times, with new rocket motors and guidance systems as it flies faster, hitting targets with more accuracy, than it was originally intended.
The R-17 Elbrus was developed from the R-11 Zemlya (Scud-A), which was a short-range missile system (up to 270 km away) that had entered service in 1953. Today, it is carried to the site of deployment on an 8x8-wheeled vehicle, which is designated MAZ-543. This wheeled, launching platform is powered by one 545-HP, V12 diesel engine, which has an operational range of 500 km. The missile can be armed with HE (high explosive), cluster, or a nuclear warhead.
Specifications
Type: medium-range, tactical, ballistic missile
Weight: 5,860-kg
Length: 11.2 m
Diameter: 0.88 m (or 88.5 cm)
Wing Span of Tail Fins: 1.8 m
Engine: one-stage Esayev rocket, with liquid propellant
Guidance System: inertial
Range: 455 km
Crew: 7
Below, the R-17 Elbrus (Scud-B) deployed in northern Western Russia
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