# R-36M

> intercontinental ballistic missile

**Wikidata**: [Q7268861](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q7268861)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/r-36m

## Summary
The R-36M is a Soviet-era intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) designed to deliver nuclear warheads, known by the NATO reporting name SS-18 Satan. Entering service in 1975, it remains one of the most powerful ICBMs ever developed, with a reputation for high throw weight and multiple independently targetable reentry vehicle (MIRV) capabilities. It played a critical role in Cold War nuclear deterrence strategies.

## Key Facts
- **Country of Origin**: Developed by the Soviet Union, with design work led by Ukraine's Pivdenne Design Office.
- **Service Entry**: Deployed in 1975 as a cornerstone of Soviet nuclear forces.
- **NATO Reporting Name**: "Satan," reflecting its perceived threat during the Cold War.
- **Alternate Names**: RS-20, 15A14, 15A18 (GRAU indices).
- **Manufacturer**: Produced by Pivdenmash (Southern Machine-Building Plant) in Ukraine.
- **Guidance System**: Relies on an inertial navigation system for accuracy.
- **Legacy Variant**: Modified into the Dnepr rocket for satellite launches after decommissioning.
- **Classification**: Subclass of the R-36 missile family, designed for intercontinental strikes.

## FAQs
### Q: Why is the R-36M called "Satan"?
A: The NATO alliance assigned the "SS-18 Satan" designation due to its unprecedented payload capacity and MIRV capability, which made it a symbol of Soviet nuclear power during the Cold War.

### Q: Is the R-36M still in use today?
A: While some variants may remain in Russian service, many were retired under arms control treaties like START. Ukraine converted decommissioned missiles into the Dnepr launch vehicle for commercial satellite deployments.

### Q: What makes the R-36M unique?
A: It was the first ICBM to achieve a throw weight over 8,000 kg, enabling it to carry up to 10 warheads (in later variants) and penetrate missile defense systems, earning it the nickname "the world's most powerful missile."

## Why It Matters
The R-36M was a defining weapon of the Cold War, embodying the doctrine of mutually assured destruction (MAD). Its ability to deliver multiple warheads across continents ensured the Soviet Union's second-strike capability, shaping global geopolitical strategies. Beyond its military role, the missile's post-service conversion into the Dnepr launch vehicle demonstrated repurposing potential for space exploration, highlighting its engineering legacy. The R-36M also influenced arms control negotiations, as its capabilities drove U.S.-Soviet treaties like START I and New START, which sought to curb such high-risk systems.

## Notable For
- **Unrivaled Throw Weight**: Could launch over 8,000 kg to intercontinental ranges, surpassing U.S. counterparts like the Minuteman III.
- **MIRV Proliferation**: Later variants (e.g., R-36M2) carried up to 10 warheads, complicating missile defense efforts.
- **"Satan" Legacy**: Its NATO name underscored Western concerns about Soviet nuclear superiority.
- **Space Repurposing**: Decommissioned missiles were adapted into the Dnepr rocket, supporting cost-effective satellite launches.

## Body
### Design and Development
The R-36M was developed by the Pivdenne Design Office in Ukraine under Mikhail Yangel, with production handled by Pivdenmash. It first entered service in 1975 as an upgrade to the earlier R-36 series, emphasizing improved range, payload, and survivability. The missile utilized a two-stage liquid-fueled design with a post-boost vehicle for warhead deployment.

### Operational History
- **Cold War Role**: Deployed in silos across the Soviet Union, the R-36M formed the backbone of the USSR's land-based nuclear deterrent, with peak deployments reaching 308 missiles in the 1980s.
- **Treaty Impact**: Reductions under the START I treaty (1991) led to the retirement of many R-36Ms, though some remained operational in Russia post-Soviet collapse.
- **Modernization**: Later variants, such as the R-36M2 (NATO: SS-18 Mod 5/6), extended service life into the 21st century with enhanced countermeasures against missile defenses.

### Technical Specifications
- **Guidance**: Inertial navigation system with terrain-reference updates.
- **Propulsion**: Liquid-propellant rocket engines (UDMH/nitrogen tetroxide).
- **Payload**: Up to 8,700 kg, including single 20-megaton warheads or multiple MIRVs.
- **Range**: Over 11,000 km, enabling strikes from secure silo complexes.

### Legacy and Variants
- **Dnepr Launch Vehicle**: Retired R-36M missiles were converted into the Dnepr rocket, used for commercial satellite launches from 1999 to 2017 under the Sea Launch and Land Launch programs.
- **Cultural Impact**: The missile's "Satan" moniker and formidable reputation made it a Cold War icon, featured in media and strategic analyses as a symbol of nuclear brinkmanship.