RS-28 Sarmat facts for kids
The RS-28 Sarmat is a very powerful Russian missile. It is also known as Satan II by some news groups. This missile is a type of intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). That means it can travel very long distances, even across continents. The Sarmat uses special liquid fuel. It can carry many warheads that can hit different targets. This missile has been made by the Makeyev Rocket Design Bureau since 2009. It is designed to replace an older missile called the R-36M.
The Sarmat is one of six new powerful weapons Russia showed on March 1, 2018. Russian president Vladimir Putin introduced them. The RS-28 Sarmat had its first test flight on April 20, 2022. In August 2022, a contract was signed to build and supply the missile system. The Sarmat officially started being used by the military in September 2023.
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What the Sarmat Missile Can Do
The RS-28 Sarmat missile is designed to carry a lot of weight. It can carry about 10,000 kilograms (10 tonnes). This payload can be made up of different things. It might carry up to 10 heavy warheads. Or it could carry 15 lighter warheads. These are called MIRV warheads. They can each go to a different target.
The Sarmat can also carry up to 24 special vehicles. These are called Avangard hypersonic glide vehicles (HGVs). Hypersonic means they travel extremely fast. They are much faster than the speed of sound. The missile can also carry things to trick enemy defense systems. Russia's Ministry of Defense said this missile helps them respond to other countries' advanced defense systems.
How the Sarmat Missile Works
The Sarmat missile has a very short "boost phase." This is the time when it first launches and speeds up. A short boost phase makes it harder for satellites to spot it. Satellites use special cameras to see heat from the missile. This makes it tough for other countries to stop the missile right after it launches.
The Sarmat can also fly over the South Pole. Most missiles fly over the North Pole. Flying over the South Pole makes it harder for existing missile defense systems to track it. Experts say the Sarmat is very hard to stop. It is designed to get past any current or future missile defense systems.
Protecting Launch Sites
The places where RS-28 missiles are launched have a special defense system. It is called "Mozyr." This system helps protect against enemy attacks. It can shoot out a cloud of metal arrows or balls. These can hit and destroy incoming bombs or missiles. This happens at heights of up to 6 kilometers (about 3.7 miles). This system helps protect the launch sites from a surprise attack.
See also
In Spanish: RS-28 Sarmat para niños
