RS-24 Yars

RS-24 Yars Latest News

Russia recently deployed autonomous launchers of intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM) RS-24 Yars on combat patrol routes which are equipped with nuclear weapons. 

About RS-24 Yars

• The Yars RS-24 (NATO designation SS-29) is a Russian intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) system.
• It is believed to have entered into service in February 2010. 
• It is reported to be designed similarly to Russia’s SS-27 (Topol M) ICBM and the Bulava (SS-NX-32) SLBM.

RS-24 Yars Features

• It is three-staged, solid-fueled, and can be launched from a silo or mobile launcher. 
• The missile is estimated to be 22.5 meters in length and 2 meters in diameter.
• The total launch weight of the RS-24 is assessed to be 49,000 kg and is expected to have a minimum range of 2,000 km and a maximum of 10,500 km.
• The missile uses an guidance upgraded system of the inertial and Glonass systems.
• The missile can be armed with up to 10 Multiple Independently Targetable Reentry Vehicles (MIRVs), each containing a thermonuclear warhead weighing 300 kilotons.
• It has the capability to manoeuvre during flight and deploy both active and passive decoys, which gives Yars an advantage against modern missile defence systems.

RS-24 Yars FAQs

Q1. What is the world's longest range missile?

Ans. Russia's R-36M (SS-18 Satan) is the world's longest-range ICBM with a range of 16,000 km.

Q2. What is an intercontinental ballistic missile?

Ans. It is a long-range missile designed to deliver nuclear or conventional warheads over a distance of more than 5,500 kilometers (3,400 miles). 

Q3. Is BrahMos cruise or ballistic?

Ans. The BrahMos is a cruise missile, not a ballistic missile. 

Source: IND