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2026-05-14 Science & Technology

Inside Russia's Sarmat: The missile meant to make any enemy think twice

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Posted by Skidmark 2026-05-14 00:07|| E-Mail|| Front Page|| [1884 views ] Top

1 Extending the life of Badanov's entry yesterday about deploying a Sarmat regiment.

Regarding the Sarmat:
[AI]
**The RS-28 Sarmat** is a Russian **super-heavy, liquid-fueled intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM)** developed to replace the Soviet-era R-36M (SS-18 Satan). It has a **range of 18,000 km** conventionally and up to **35,000 km via sub-orbital flight** using Fractional Orbital Bombardment System (FOBS) technology, enabling it to approach targets over the South Pole and evade missile defenses.

**Key capabilities and status**:
- **Warhead payload**: Can carry up to **16 MIRVs**, **three Avangard hypersonic glide vehicles (HGVs)**, or a mix of warheads and countermeasures.
- **Guidance**: Uses **inertial, GLONASS, and astro-inertial systems** for high accuracy.
- **Launch platform**: Silo-based with a **three-stage liquid-propellant engine**.
- **Combat status**: Officially entered service in **September 2023**, but recent development has faced setbacks, including **five failed tests**, most recently on **28 November 2025**. Despite this, Russia plans to deploy the **first Sarmat-equipped regiment by the end of 2026**, following a successful test on **12 May 2026**.

**Design and strategic significance**:
- **Dimensions**: **35.3 meters long**, **3 meters in diameter**, with a **launch mass of 208.1 tonnes**.
- **Strategic role**: Designed to counter U.S. missile defense systems and ensure nuclear deterrence, the Sarmat is central to Russia’s modernization efforts and has been dubbed **"Satan II"** by NATO.

Putin's remarks Sunday "I think that the matter ⁠is coming to an end"
may have been in reference to the successful test and effects on world order.

Posted by Skidmark 2026-05-14 00:36|| 2026-05-14 00:36|| Front Page Top

2 Also of interest, from yesterday, is the note about an end to touristing the Nevada Test Site.

Posted by Skidmark 2026-05-14 00:51|| 2026-05-14 00:51|| Front Page Top

3 Most failed on launch and a "successful" launch test didn't actually launch.

Keep up the good work Putie.

Posted by DarthVader 2026-05-14 01:07|| 2026-05-14 01:07|| Front Page Top

4 [NPR]Putin hails Russia's test launch of a new ballistic missile

"This is the most powerful missile in the world," Putin declared, adding that the combined power of the Sarmat's individually targeted warheads is more than four times higher than that of any Western counterpart.

The RS-28 is a huge, nuclear, global hammer.

Posted by Skidmark 2026-05-14 01:11|| 2026-05-14 01:11|| Front Page Top

5 Just like the S=400, 300, the T=90 etc etc etc. STFU

Posted by chris 2026-05-14 02:21|| 2026-05-14 02:21|| Front Page Top

6 The Sarmat is the penis Putin wishes he had.

Posted by Matt 2026-05-14 12:59|| 2026-05-14 12:59|| Front Page Top

7 Apparently they resolved the liquid fuel issues that troubled early ICBM's, which were very toxic and volatile.

Posted by Chantry 2026-05-14 13:48|| 2026-05-14 13:48|| Front Page Top

8 ^^ Maybe they're using Chinese rocket fuel now.

Posted by Mullah Richard 2026-05-14 16:23|| 2026-05-14 16:23|| Front Page Top

9 #7 - and observable fueling

Posted by Frank G 2026-05-14 18:27|| 2026-05-14 18:27|| Front Page Top

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