RBsT-117
| RbsT-117 | |
|---|---|
| File:LUR-9B.png A dimensional drawing of the LUR-9A | |
| Type | Long-range multirole cruise missile |
| Place of origin |  Dniegua |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1982–present |
| Used by | OSEN |
| Production history | |
| Manufacturer | Borzov Lensko |
| Unit cost | $1,800,000 |
| Specifications | |
| Length | 11.7m |
| Diameter | 89cm |
| Warhead | Nuclear: 1.2MT yield Conventional: 750kg blast-Fragmentation |
| Engine | x8 Brozov K-88 thrust sustaining modulus x1 Borzov TTd-85 Scramjet |
| Wingspan | 1.68m |
Operational range | 1,850km |
| Speed | 15,500km/h |
Launch platform | Vertical Launch System (VLS) and NkB-78 |
The RbsT-117 is a hyper-sonic multi-platform launched strategic standoff cruse missile. Derived from an anti-ship missile known as the RbSTH, the RbsT-117 as initially developed in the early 1970s for the Dnieguan Airforce in conjunction with the NkB-78. Constant delays put the missiles development in danger, though the evolution of technology allowed the missile to enter service, albeit four years after it was scheduled to. It is the fastest contemporary munition with a maximum airspeed of 15,500km/h. Until recently, there were no countermeasures able to successfully intercept the missile. The deployment of the RbsT-117 is the first layer of nuclear deterrence strategy for both the Skandarian Union and OSEN.
History and Design
Nuclear weapons theorists had speculated about how to integrate the flexibility of the manned bomber with the invulnerability (in the attack) of the ballistic missile. The introduction of useful surface-to-air missiles in the 1950s rendered flight over enemy territory much more dangerous and had greatly reduced the effective deterrent power of a bomber force. Yet the Air Force and military planners were, in the mid-1950s, reluctant to simply hand over the nuclear strike capability to missiles. After launch, missiles were no longer under positive control, could not be recalled or redirected, and would reach their targets within a matter of minutes after the order to fire. Bombers, in comparison, could be re-directed in flight, and their longer flight times offered greater chance of a negotiated settlement during the attack.
Furthermore the missiles of the day were all required to be loaded with their fuels immediately prior to launch, and they could only be launched from above ground after long pre-launch checkouts. This made them vulnerable to attack from the air while they prepared – the first ICBMs, Atlas 1 and Titan 1 were of this type. In contrast, a bomber could be ordered into the air long in advance of an attack, rendering them effectively invulnerable to attack while they "loitered" awaiting orders. With in-air refuelling, the loiter times were on the order of a day if need be.
In addition, the inaccuracy of missiles in the 1960s made them useless as precision strike weapons. They could attack area targets like cities, but could not reliably and accurately attack precision strike targets like enemy bomber bases, hardened command and control centers, naval bases, or weapons storage areas. Therefore the potential integration of aircraft with the invulnerability of the ballistic missile was an intriguing prospect to 1960s military planners.
The development and deployment of the RbsT-117 was initially complicated, lacking the ability to properly propel the missile to desired speed or guide the missile at such speeds. Eventual development of more advanced computers and Global Positioning and Navigation resolved much of the issues in the late series of development, which had seen massive improvements in engine performance. Testing was concluded in 1976 by using a set of modified Dnieguan Heavy bombers. The missile was adopted with the initial delivery of 8 NkB-78 Bombers. In 1981, the Dnieguan Navy began conducting sea trials of the missile as a potential replacement for other anti-shipping missiles, eventually adopting the system as MRbST m/86.
Design
The RbsT-117 is powered by a two-stage solid-fuel rocket motor. Each NkB-78 is to carry six missiles. The missile was fitted with a tailcone to reduce drag, which was ejected shortly after being dropped from the plane. After first stage burnout, the LUR-9 coasted for a while before the second stage ignited. First stage control was by eight movable tail fins, while the second stage was equipped with a gimballed nozzle.
Versions
- RbsT-117- Air-launched, nuclear armed version with a 1.2 megaton yield.
- RbsT-117A- Air launched conventional version with 750 kilogram blast-fragmentation warhead.
- RbsT-117B- Air-launched conventional version with 680 kilogram thermobaric warhead.
- RbsT-117C- Air-launched ground penetrating version with hardened nose and body with a 120 kilogram blasting charge, at least 200 meters of earth penetration.
- RbSTH- Anti-shipping
- HRbsT-117- Ground-based Medium-Range Tactical Ballistic Missile
- ASTAR I- Ground or ship launched Anti-Satellite missile
- ASTAR II- Air-launched Anti-satellite missile
- AFM-90 - payload version with capacity for
Anti-Armor version with 196 anti-armor submunitions
Up to 604 1.75 kilogram fragmenting munitions with 96 fragments each
