Medium-range missile complex RSD-10 Pioneer (SS-20)

The Pioneer missile system includes the following combat vehicles:

• 15G45 rocket. (15G53) (see layout diagram)
• launcher
• Transportation and loading vehicle (TPS)

The 15Zh45 missile had two marching steps and an aggregate-device unit with a head end, which were connected to each other by connecting compartments.

The first stage propulsion system was a design consisting of a fiberglass body with a solid fuel charge fastened to it, made of high-energy blended fuel, steel front end and nozzle cover, and a nozzle block. The tail compartment of the stage housed brake engines and steering gears. Control forces created four gas-dynamic and four aerodynamic rudders (the latter are made in the form of grilles).

The second stage engine had a similar design, but other methods were used to obtain the steering forces. Thus, the control of the angles of pitch and yaw was carried out inflatable gas from the gas generator in the critical part of the nozzle, and on the heels - by blowing gas through a special device. Both engines had a thrust cut-off system (on the first stage - emergency) and operating time of about 63 seconds. The engine is switched off by opening ten additional holes located on the front bottom of the combustion chamber, the pressure drops sharply and the combustion of solid fuel stops.

The missile control system, developed under the leadership of Academician N.A. Pilyugin, with an on-board computer, allowed the missile to be in a horizontal position during the course of the combat duty, ensured the accuracy of hitting (CVO) not worse than 500 m in the entire range of ranges and azimuths without turning the launcher, full automation of prelaunch preparation and launch, as well as automatic routine checks. All main units had redundancy, which ensured high reliability of operation, and were located in an airtight instrument compartment.

The missile carried a separable MIRV-type head unit with three combat units of 150 kt each with individual pointing at their own targets. The dilution stage included a control system and a solid propulsion system. No aerodynamic fairing was provided for the head unit. To reduce aerodynamic loads in flight, the warheads were mounted at an angle to the missile's longitudinal axis. The missile did not have the complex of overcoming the missile defense system.

There were 3 versions of the RSD-10 missile:

• Mod 1 - with monoblock head unit and a firing range of 5000 km,
• Mod 2 - differed only in combat equipment - had a splitting head unit (DHU) with 3 individually guided combat units (IHUs). (this is the main variant that gained the most popularity).
• Mod 3 - tested in May 1985 and sometimes referred to as SS-X-28 in the West - had a lightweight 50 kt monoblock head unit and an extended range of 7,400 km - did not leave the test phase.

In the course of operation, the missile, placed in an airtight transport and launch container, was placed on a self-propelled launcher (SPS), made on the basis of a six-axle vehicle chassis MAZ-547. In addition to the rocket on the chassis were the necessary units and equipment to monitor the technical condition of the rocket and the launch. Despite the solid weight (more than 80 tons) and dimensions (length - 19.3 m), the LPU had a relatively high speed, traveled on roads with any surface, easily overcome metre fords and climbs up to 15 degrees. and had a turning radius of 21 m, which allowed the widespread use of the existing road network.

The rocket could be launched either from a special garage shelter at the main position (the Krona structure) or from one of the prepared field positions. Before that, the launcher was jacked up and horizontally positioned. The missile was launched using a gunpowder pressure accumulator, which ejected it from the container. After reaching a safe altitude, the first stage marching engine was engaged. The prelaunch and launch operations were carried out automatically after receiving a special command from the control room.

The "Krona" structures were intended primarily to exclude the possibility of permanent control of the "Pioneer" complexes by the means of potential enemy intelligence. The "Krona" is a prefabricated structure of metal structures. The structure is a gateway, that is, the gate is located on both sides, which makes it possible to abandon complex maneuvering for heavy vehicles. Along the walls of the structure there are electric furnaces of SCB type. Thus, it is impossible to determine with the help of thermal imaging sensors whether the launcher is in the structure or not. It is possible to launch the missile without leaving the structure. This is done by detonating the pyropatrons, which throw the roof sectors aside. After that, the container is lifted and the missile is launched. Since the launcher is already jacked when in the structure, the preparation time for launch is reduced. On the route of the missile regiment column provided for several similar structures, which demanded to mislead the enemy.