Russia test fires AMD-piercing strategic missile (RT)

RT NEWS
Published: 23 May, 2012

Yars ICBM launch. The new secret missile improves its 

design. Photo credit: RIA Novosti

The Russian military have successfully launched a top secret advanced intercontinental ballistic missile. It is designed to counter the American antimissile shield currently being deployed in several regions.

The new weapon is an advanced version of the Topol-M and Yars missiles, already deployed by the Russian Strategic Missile Forces. The experiment was boosted off from the Plesetsk launch site in north-western Russia’s Arkhangelsk region on Wednesday. It delivered its test block to the Kura target range in Kamchatka Peninsula in the Far East.

The main purpose of the launch was to confirm feasibility of the design approaches incorporated into the missile, spokesman for the Forces Colonel Vadim Koval told journalists.
The successful test comes after a failed launch of the prototype on September 27, 2011. At the time the missile’s first-stage engine reportedly failed, which resulted in it dropping some 10 kilometers from the launch pad.

The medium-weight ICBM is “one of the military-technical measures, which Russia’s military-political leadership is taking in response to the deployment of a global antimissile defense system by the Americans,” says retired Col.-General Viktor Yesin.

The new missile may be ready for service “soon” and would boost Russia’s nuclear deterrence “in the uncertain situation”, the former head the Strategic Missile Forces’ General Staff told Interfax news agency.

According to military sources, the upgraded design behind the new weapon focused on its fuel formula. The solid propellant has been improved and allows for a faster boost, shortening the initial phase of the flight. During the boosting phase the missile is relatively slow and predictable, which makes it more vulnerable to anti-missiles.

Little detail about the new ICBM has been revealed. Unofficially dubbed Avangard, it is expected to have a MIRV-ed warhead with improved maneuvering and targeting capabilities of the vehicles. Some reports say that rather than having a traditional “bus” delivering each warhead to its target, designers chose to equip them with individual engines. This would allow active maneuvering on the descent phase.

Silo-based and mobile launcher-mounted versions of the missile are currently in development.

NATO shield ad protection for a non-NATO country (Israel)...where`s the hypocrisy in that?

Turkish MP: NATO missile system in Turkey aimed at protecting Israel
Press TV
Sun May 20, 2012

A Turkish opposition lawmaker has said the principal reason for the deployment of NATO’s missile system in Turkey is to protect the Israeli regime.

People hold a banner reading "we don't want to be a missile shield in Kurecik," demonstrating against the deployment of NATO early warning radar system in Turkey in October 2011 (file photo).

Turkish People’s Republican Party (CHP) representative to the parliament from the Malatya Province, where the NATO missile system is deployed, described the system as an “American scheme” aimed at protecting the Tel Aviv regime and guaranteeing its security in the Middle East region, saying that the plan is not at all linked to Turkish people and the country’s national security.

The opposition parliamentarian slammed the "dual policy" of the Turkish government in the region, saying that on the one hand it claims to defend people’s rights in face of oppressive governments, but, on the other hand, it acts from behind the scenes as an element of global powers in protecting the existence of the Israeli regime.

The Turkish lawmaker also emphasized that all of the country’s political parties, except the ruling Justice and Development Party, are opposed to the deployment of NATO’s missile system in Turkey.

In March, Turkish opposition parties brought extra pressure on the government over its decision to host the missile system in Malatya. Several opposition lawmakers submitted written questions about the system, urging the government to bring the issue before the parliament for approval.

MFB/MA