Almost immediately after their appearance, rockets began to be used in military affairs. The evolution in military rocketry has led to the emergence of the most powerful complexes equipped with ultra-long-range missiles. In Russia, one of the most effective are Topol-class missile systems.
Topol and Topol-M are strategic missile systems that include 15Zh58 and 15Zh65 intercontinental ballistic missiles, respectively. The missiles of both complexes have three stages each with solid-propellant engines and warheads equipped with nuclear warheads. The Topol complex exists only in the mobile version, and the Topol-M complex exists in both the mobile and stationary (mine-based) versions.
The operation of the Topol and Topol-M missiles begins with their launch. Until this moment, the missiles are in sealed transport and launch containers, which exclude their damage, as well as accidental contamination of the environment with radioactive materials. Before launching missiles of mobile complexes, transport and launch containers are transferred to a vertical position. This is not required for mine-based installations. The launch of the rockets of the Topol-class complexes is carried out by means of a "mortar launch" - the rocket is ejected from the container by a powder pressure accumulator, after which its acceleration by the engines begins.
The rocket's flight path is divided into three sections: active, passive and atmospheric. In the active phase, the speed is set and the warhead is taken out of the atmosphere. In this phase, the engines of all stages are sequentially worked out (after the fuel burns out, the stage is separated). Also at this stage, the missile performs intensive maneuvering to evade anti-missiles and accurately enter the trajectory. On the Topol missiles, course control is carried out using lattice aerodynamic rudders installed on the first stage. All stages of the Topol-M missiles are equipped with rotary nozzles, due to which maneuvering is carried out.
At the beginning of the passive section of the trajectory, the warhead is separated from the last stage of the rocket. It maneuvers to make it difficult to intercept, aim for the most accurate hit, as well as scatter decoys to counter missile defense systems. For this, the top of the Topol missiles has one propulsion system. The warheads of the Topol-M missiles contain several dozen corrective engines, and many active and passive decoys.
In the final phase, warheads are separated from the missile warheads. The warhead explodes, littering the space with debris, which also act as decoys. The atmospheric section of the trajectory begins. Warheads enter the atmosphere and after 60-100 seconds explode in close proximity to targets.
