RSD-10 Pioneer facts for kids
The RSD-10 Pioneer was a powerful missile used by the Soviet Union during the Cold War. It carried a nuclear warhead, which is a very strong explosive. This missile was in use from 1976 to 1988. Its name in Russian meant "Medium-Range Missile 'Pioneer'". The NATO military alliance called it the SS-20 Saber. It had a special code name from the Soviet Union, 15Ж45.
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What Was the RSD-10 Pioneer?
The RSD-10 Pioneer was a type of intermediate-range ballistic missile. This means it could travel a medium distance, usually between 1,000 and 5,500 kilometers (about 620 to 3,400 miles). Its main job was to carry a nuclear warhead to a target.
Why Was It Important?
The Pioneer missile was a key part of the Soviet Union's military power during the Cold War. The Cold War was a long period of tension and rivalry between the Soviet Union and the United States and their allies. Both sides built many powerful weapons, including nuclear missiles, to show their strength. The Pioneer was designed to be mobile, meaning it could be moved around on a special vehicle. This made it harder for enemies to find and destroy it.
How Did It Work?
The RSD-10 Pioneer was launched from a special vehicle called a transporter erector launcher. This vehicle could move the missile to different locations, set it up, and launch it. This mobility was a new feature for missiles of its kind. The missile used a type of rocket engine to fly through the air and deliver its warhead to the target.
The End of the Pioneer Missile
The RSD-10 Pioneer missiles were in use for about 12 years. However, as the Cold War began to end, leaders from the Soviet Union and the United States worked together to reduce nuclear weapons.
The INF Treaty
In 1987, the United States and the Soviet Union signed an important agreement called the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty. This treaty aimed to get rid of all land-based missiles with ranges between 500 and 5,500 kilometers. The RSD-10 Pioneer was one of the missiles that had to be removed because of this treaty.
What Happened Next?
After the INF Treaty was signed, all the RSD-10 Pioneer missiles were destroyed. This was a big step towards making the world safer and reducing the number of nuclear weapons. The last Pioneer missile was destroyed in 1991.
Images for kids
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RSD-10 missile and its transporter erector launcher
See also
In Spanish: RSD-10 para niños
