R-17 Elbrus

The rst mock-up was designed and built by Makeyev in

19581959, before the programme was transferred to the
Votkinsk Machine Building Plant in 1959 for mass production. The rst launch was conducted in 1961, and it
entered service in 1964.[3]
The R-17 featured important improvements over the R11. The Isayev RD-21 engine used a combination of
inhibited red fuming nitric acid (IRFNA) oxidiser and
unsymmetrical dimethylhydrazine (UDMH) fuel, fed into
the combustion chamber by fuel pumps that ensured a
more consistent thrust. The guidance system, active only
during the boosted phase, uses three gyroscopes, that
give it a Circular Error of Probability (CEP) of 450m[4]
(900m according to western sources.[5] ) A nuclear warhead was designed for the R-17, with a selectable yield,
from 5 to 70 kilotons. However it could also carry a
chemical warhead, containing 555 kg of viscous VX; a
conventional weapon, with a single high explosive warhead; or a series of fragmentation payloads, using either
high explosive, anti-tank or anti-runway munitions.[4]
The rear section of an 8K14 missile, showing the xed ns and
the graphite vanes that control the missiles path.

MAZ-543 Uragan carrying SS-1 Scud B (9K72 Elbrus)

At rst, the R-17 was carried on a tracked TEL similar

to that of the R-11, designated 2P19, but this was not
very successful, as the vibration of the tracks had a tendency to interfere with the launch electronics. Production of this model was halted after Khrushchev cancelled
the production of heavy tanks in 1962, and a wheeled
launcher was designed by the Titan Central Design Bureau, becoming operational in 1967.[6] The new MAZ543 vehicle was ocially designated 9P117 Uragan, and
its Russian crews nicknamed it Kashalot (sperm whale),
because of its size.[7] The eight-wheeled MAZ-543 has a
loaded weight of 37,400 kg, a road speed of 55 km/h and
a range of 650 km. It can carry out the launch sequence
autonomously, but this is usually directed from a separate
command vehicle. The missile is raised to a vertical po-

R-17 on reload transport trailer with Zil-131 tractor

The R-17 Elbrus,[2] GRAU index 9K72 is a tactical ballistic missile, initially developed by the Soviet Union. It is
also known by its NATO reporting name SS-1C Scud-B.
It is one of several Soviet missiles to carry the reporting
name Scud; the most prolically launched of the series,
with a production run estimated at 7,000 (19601987).
Also designated R-300 during the 1970s, the R-17 was
derived from the R-11 Zemlya. It has been operated by
32 countries and manufactured in four countries outside
the Soviet Union. It is still in service with some.
1

sition by means of hydraulically powered cranes, which

usually takes four minutes, while the total sequence lasts
about one hour.[4]

REFERENCES

[5] R-11/SS-1B SCUD-A R-300 9K72 Elbrus/SS-1C

SCUD-B. Federation of American Scientists. September 9, 2000. Retrieved 2008-02-21.
[6] Zaloga, pp. 1415

Combat use

[7] Zaloga, p. 17
[8] Gilligan, Andrew (2011-05-08). The forgotten frontline

in Libyas civil war. The Daily Telegraph (London).

Libya - It has been rumored that Scud-Bs were red by
Gadda forces against rebels in the 2011 Libyan civil war [9] McElroy, Damien (2011-08-16). Gadda res Scud
during the rst phase of the war.[8] On 14 August 2011
missile at rebel forces. The Independent. Retrieved 19
a conrmed Scud-B launch was detected by a US Aegis
September 2011.
destroyer, with the missile red from Sirte and heading
toward rebel positions in Ajdabiya. The missile fell 80 [10] NATO says Gadda forces re three Scud-type rockets.
Reuters. 2011-08-22.
km o target in the middle of the desert, inicting no
[9]
damage. Eight days later, on August 22, three more [11] http://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sat/soviet_missiles.htm
Scud-B launches were detected by NATO.[10]
[12] http://inbsite.com/missiles1.html

Specications
Range 300 km,[1][11]
CEP 500900 m[12]
Type of fuel liquid
Preparation time 1 hour
Period of storage 19 years (in stock), 6 month (in
combat condition)
Flight time 15 minutes

See also
Hwasong-5
Hwasong-6
R-11 Zemlya
Scud

References

[1] http://www.russianspaceweb.com/r17.html
[2] Johnstons Archive - SOVIET/RUSSIAN MISSILE DESIGNATIONS
[3] Wade, Mark. R-17. Encyclopedia Astronautica. Retrieved 2008-02-13.
[4] SS-1 `Scud' (R-11/8K11, R-11FM (SS-N-1B) and R17/8K14)". Janes Information Group. 26 April 2001.
Archived from the original on 2007-12-15. Retrieved
2008-02-12.

Text and image sources, contributors, and licenses

5.1

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R-17 Elbrus Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/R-17_Elbrus?oldid=673949729 Contributors: Neko-chan, Bobrayner, Jbarta, BD2412,

Sandstein, Chris the speller, Jprg1966, WDGraham, Matthew Proctor, BilCat, Aalox, MBK004, Vnkd, Addbot, Nohomers48, The
Bushranger, Yobot, EHRice, FrescoBot, Degen Earthfast, MastiBot, MCQknight, RjwilmsiBot, H3llBot, Areguni, Jeancey, Savsk, HgandVenus and Anonymous: 11

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5.3

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