ICBMs
Unlike previous periods of international tension, the Cold War provided rival powers the opportunity to completely obliterate their foes. Nuclear war, and its potential destruction, weighed heavily on the hearts and minds of leaders and masses alike. ICBMs (Inter-continental ballistic missiles) became the prominent pieces of ordinance during the arms race between the United States and the USSR. With the exclusion of China, the United States and the Soviet Union were the only powers able to produce these powerful land-based missiles. During the latter stages of the Cold War, five countries possessed SLBMs (Submarine-launched ballistic missiles. Eventually, the missiles became a cornerstone of the Soviet military.[1]
Both the United States and the USSR experimented with ICBMs in the 1950s. Trying to build off of German V-2 designs, the Soviets emphasized the developments of missiles for offensive purposes. The Soviets were the first to be able to launch one of these ballistic missiles. The first Soviet missile was the SS-6 Sapwood (a name given by NATO intelligence operative).[2] By 1959, the Soviet R-7 Semyorka became the first fully operational intercontinental ballistic missile in the world. Modifications occurred over the next two years and the missile ultimately had the ability to hit a target 3,500 miles (5,600 km) away.[3]
The USSR, spearheaded by the Soviet Strategic Rocket Forces, continued to develop ICBMs throughout the Cold War. By 1972, the Soviets created the RT-2 (SS-13 Savage), a silo-based ICBM.[4] The Soviets created additional models from the SS-16 to the SS-20 during the 1970s. Also during this period, Russian engineers designed missiles with “cold launch” capabilities that prevented massive damage to the silos. To limit the vulnerability of their missiles, the Soviets also developed mobile missile units that protected their stock from potential U.S. air strikes.[5] The SS-18, also known as “Satan”, proved to be the largest missile developed by either side, carrying a 20-megaton warhead.[6] The amount of ICBMs developed by both the United States and the Soviet Union grew exponentially. However, the 1972 SALT treaty delayed the continued growth of ballistic missiles. SALT required both the United States and the USSR to overcome political and psychological tensions and during the 1970s, but ultimately ICBMs decreased in number—albeit temporarily.[7]
[1] Encyclopedia Britannica, “ICBM,” last modified August 12, 201, accessed September 25, 2014, http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/290047/ICBM
[2] Eric A. Croddy, James J. Wirtz, and Jeffrey Larsen, Weapons of Mass Destruction: An Encyclopedia of Worldwide Policy, Technology, and History, (Santa Barbara: ABC-CLIO Corporate, 2004), 179.
[3] Encyclopedia Britannica, “ICBM.”
[4] Croddy, Wirtz, and Larsen, Weapons of Mass Destruction: An Encyclopedia of Worldwide Policy, Technology, and History, 179.
[5] Croddy, Wirtz, and Larsen, Weapons of Mass Destruction: An Encyclopedia of Worldwide Policy, Technology, and History, 179.
[6] Croddy, Wirtz, and Larsen, Weapons of Mass Destruction: An Encyclopedia of Worldwide Policy, Technology, and History, 179.
[7] Notburga K. Calvo-Goller and Michael Calvo, The SALT Agreements: Content, Application, Verification, (Hingham: Kluwer Academic Publishers, 1987,) 2.
Article Bibliography:
Calvo-Goller, Notburga K. and Michael Calvo. The SALT Agreements: Content, Application, Verification. Hingham: Kluwer Academic Publishers, 1987.
Croddy, Eric A., James J. Wirtz, and Jeffery Larsen. Weapons of Mass Destruction: An Encyclopedia of Worldwide Policy, Technology, and History. Santa Barbara: ABC-CLIO Corporate, 2004.
Encyclopedia Britannica, “ICBM,” last modified August 12, 201, accessed September 25, 2014. http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/290047/ICBM.
Both the United States and the USSR experimented with ICBMs in the 1950s. Trying to build off of German V-2 designs, the Soviets emphasized the developments of missiles for offensive purposes. The Soviets were the first to be able to launch one of these ballistic missiles. The first Soviet missile was the SS-6 Sapwood (a name given by NATO intelligence operative).[2] By 1959, the Soviet R-7 Semyorka became the first fully operational intercontinental ballistic missile in the world. Modifications occurred over the next two years and the missile ultimately had the ability to hit a target 3,500 miles (5,600 km) away.[3]
The USSR, spearheaded by the Soviet Strategic Rocket Forces, continued to develop ICBMs throughout the Cold War. By 1972, the Soviets created the RT-2 (SS-13 Savage), a silo-based ICBM.[4] The Soviets created additional models from the SS-16 to the SS-20 during the 1970s. Also during this period, Russian engineers designed missiles with “cold launch” capabilities that prevented massive damage to the silos. To limit the vulnerability of their missiles, the Soviets also developed mobile missile units that protected their stock from potential U.S. air strikes.[5] The SS-18, also known as “Satan”, proved to be the largest missile developed by either side, carrying a 20-megaton warhead.[6] The amount of ICBMs developed by both the United States and the Soviet Union grew exponentially. However, the 1972 SALT treaty delayed the continued growth of ballistic missiles. SALT required both the United States and the USSR to overcome political and psychological tensions and during the 1970s, but ultimately ICBMs decreased in number—albeit temporarily.[7]
[1] Encyclopedia Britannica, “ICBM,” last modified August 12, 201, accessed September 25, 2014, http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/290047/ICBM
[2] Eric A. Croddy, James J. Wirtz, and Jeffrey Larsen, Weapons of Mass Destruction: An Encyclopedia of Worldwide Policy, Technology, and History, (Santa Barbara: ABC-CLIO Corporate, 2004), 179.
[3] Encyclopedia Britannica, “ICBM.”
[4] Croddy, Wirtz, and Larsen, Weapons of Mass Destruction: An Encyclopedia of Worldwide Policy, Technology, and History, 179.
[5] Croddy, Wirtz, and Larsen, Weapons of Mass Destruction: An Encyclopedia of Worldwide Policy, Technology, and History, 179.
[6] Croddy, Wirtz, and Larsen, Weapons of Mass Destruction: An Encyclopedia of Worldwide Policy, Technology, and History, 179.
[7] Notburga K. Calvo-Goller and Michael Calvo, The SALT Agreements: Content, Application, Verification, (Hingham: Kluwer Academic Publishers, 1987,) 2.
Article Bibliography:
Calvo-Goller, Notburga K. and Michael Calvo. The SALT Agreements: Content, Application, Verification. Hingham: Kluwer Academic Publishers, 1987.
Croddy, Eric A., James J. Wirtz, and Jeffery Larsen. Weapons of Mass Destruction: An Encyclopedia of Worldwide Policy, Technology, and History. Santa Barbara: ABC-CLIO Corporate, 2004.
Encyclopedia Britannica, “ICBM,” last modified August 12, 201, accessed September 25, 2014. http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/290047/ICBM.