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RSS-40 Buran

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The Buran (Russian: Буран, named for the Buran wind) cruise missile, designation M-40 (М-40) sometimes referred to as RSS-40, was a Soviet intercontinental cruise missile by Myasishchev capable of carrying a 3,500 kg hydrogen bomb payload.[1] The project was canceled before flight tests began.[2] It is unrelated to the later Buran reusable orbiter.

Development

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The project was authorized on 20 May 1954, parallel to the development of the Burya missile. The development however, began in April 1953 as a rocket-aircraft system by Myasishchev OKB with internal designation M-40.[3] The project was canceled in November 1957, when two prototypes were just ready for flight testing, in favor of the R-7 Semyorka, since ICBMs were considered unstoppable. Like the Burya, the Buran consisted of two stages, the booster rockets designated M-41, and the cruise missile stage designated M-42.[citation needed]

Specifications

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General characteristics

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  • Function: Nuclear cruise missile
  • Launch mass: 125000 kg
  • Total length: 24.0 m
  • Launch platform: Launch pad
  • Status: Canceled before first flight tests

Launch vehicle (M-41)

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  • Engine: 4× RD-213
  • Thrust: 4× 55 t
  • Length: 19.1 m
  • Diameter: 1.20 m
  • Oxidizer: Liquid oxygen
  • Combustible: Kerosene

Cruise missile (M-42)

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  • Engine: 1× RD-020 ramjet
  • Speed : Mach 3.1–3.2
  • Range: 8,500 km
  • Flight altitude: 18–20 km
  • Warhead: thermonuclear, 3500 kg
  • Length: 23.3 m
  • Diameter: 2.40 m
  • Wing span: 11.6 m
  • Wing area: 98 m2

Comparable missiles

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References

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  1. ^ Hendrickx, Bart; Vis, Bert (2007-12-05). Energiya-Buran: The Soviet Space Shuttle. Springer. ISBN 9780387739847.
  2. ^ "FAS.org – "Burya / Buran- Russian / Soviet Nuclear Forces"". Retrieved 2006-06-17.
  3. ^ ""Astronautix.org – "Buran"". Archived from the original on February 28, 2002. Retrieved 2006-06-17.