R-11 Cutaway - 7,046 bytes. 79 x 479 pixels.

First Russian submarine-launched ballistic missile. Range 150 km with 967 kg warhead. Accuracy 1.5 km in range, 0.75 km lateral. Following protracted testing the design was accepted by the military in 1959 but never put into operational service.

SKB-385 was given complete responsibility for development of the sub-launched R-11FM in August 1955.

Tests of the R-11FM had begun in February 1955 at Kapustin Yar with three experimental launches of the missile from a standard R-11 launch stand. This was followed by launches from a special stand simulating a ship's motion, developed by A P Abramov. Finally a third test series was conducted from the Project 611 submarine B-57 from 16 September to 13 October 1955 in the White Sea. This demonstrated launches from a pitching surfaced vessel and a total range of 150 km. Following further trials the system was accepted for military surface in 1959, but never deployed on an operational vessel. However the project had cemented Makeyev's relationship with the Soviet Navy, which decided to make him their sole source for all future naval ballistic missiles.

Liftoff Thrust: 8,250 kgf. Total Mass: 4,473 kg. Core Diameter: 0.9 m. Total Length: 9.0 m.

• Stage Number: 1. 1 x R-11FM Gross Mass: 4,473 kg. Empty Mass: 1,080 kg. Thrust (vac): 9,466 kgf. Isp: 250 sec. Burn time: 63 sec. Isp(sl): 218 sec. Diameter: 0.9 m. Span: 1.8 m. Length: 7.4 m. Propellants: Nitric acid/Kerosene No Engines: 1. S2.253

• Groettrup G-4 IRBM evaluated against Korolev's R-3. R-3 project reformulated

  The NTS (Scientific-Technical Soviet) of NII-88 met in plenary session and subjected Korolev's proposal to withering criticism. The G-4 was found to be superior. After heated discussion, the Soviet approved further development of technology for the R-3, but not the missile itself. The decisions were: an R-3A technology demonstrator would be built and flown under Project N-1 (probably to prove G-4 concepts). Under Project N-2 both the RD-110 and D-2 engines would proceed into development test in order to prove Lox/Kerosene propellant technology. Packet rocket and lightweight structure research for use in an ICBM would continue under project N-3 / T-1. Winged intercontinental cruise missile studies would continue under project N-3 / T-2. Neither the G-4 or R-3 ended up in production, but the design concepts of the G-4 led directly to Korolev's R-7 ICBM (essentially a cluster of G-4's or R-3A's) and the N1 superbooster. Work on the G-4 continued through 1952.

• R-11FM authorised.

  Council of Soviet Ministers (SM) Decree 'On approval of work on the R-11FM' was issued.

• R-11FM platform development authorised

  Council of Soviet Ministers (SM) Decree 'On creation of the submerged submarine-launched ballistic missile' was issued.

• Tests of the R-11FM SLBM begun at Kapustin Yar

  Tests began with three experimental launches of the missile from a standard R-11 launch stand. This was followed by launches from a special stand simulating a ship's motion, developed by A P Abramov.

• SKB-385 given complete responsibility for development of the sub-launched R-11FM

  This derivative of the land-based R-11 ('Scud') was the first Soviet SLBM.

• First sea launch of a Soviet Navy ballistic missile. R-11FM sub-launch test series begins.

  The third test series was conducted from the Project 611 submarine B-57 through 13 October 1955 in the White Sea. This demonstrated launches from a pitching surfaced vessel and a total range of 150 km.

• R-11FM accepted into military service.

  Decree 'On adoption of the R-11FM into armaments' was issued. The first Soviet SLBM system was accepted, but never deployed on an operational vessel. However the project had cemented Makeyev's relationship with the Soviet Navy, which decided to make him their sole source for all future naval ballistic missiles.

• 89 - Semenov, Yu. P., S P Korolev Space Corporation Energia, RKK Energia, 1994.