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Russian Strategic Missile Troops plan to make 11 test-launches of ICBMs in 2013

This year the Russian Strategic Missile Troops have made five test-launches of the intercontinental ballistic missiles

VLASIKHA (Moscow region), December 14 (Itar-Tass) — The Russian Strategic Missile Troops are planning to make 11 test-launches of intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) in 2013, Commander of the Russian Strategic Missile Troops Col. Gen. Sergei Karakayev told reporters on Friday ahead of the 53rd anniversary of the Russian Strategic Missile Troops that will be marked on December 17.

“The main goals of the test-launch are to extend the service life of current missile systems and to conduct state flight tests of promising missile systems and military hardware,” he explained.

This year the Russian Strategic Missile Troops have made five test-launches of the intercontinental ballistic missiles. Three test-launches were made under the programs of experimental testing of missile systems under development and the upgrading of the warfare of the strategic missiles with the target of a reliable overcoming of the missile defence system. One test-launch was made under the combined programs and one more test-launch was made to extend the service life of the current missile system.

The latest fifth test-launch was made from the mobile launcher at the firing range Kapustin Yar in the Astrakhan Region on October 24. The prototype of a new intercontinental ballistic missile was tested.

The commander noted that the main goals and tasks of the test-launch were to obtain the experimental data to confirm that scientific-technical and technological solutions in the development of the intercontinental ballistic missiles were taken correctly, the check of the operational capability and the defining of the technical features of its systems and units, as well as the testing of the elements of warfare of the intercontinental ballistic missile. The training warhead of the missile with its target accuracy hit the mocked target at the firing range Sary-Shagan in Kazakhstan. The goals set in the test-launch were achieved.

“This missile is being created with the maximum possible use and development of already available developments and technological solutions, which were achieved in the development of the 5th generation missile systems that cuts sharply the deadlines and the costs for its creation,” Karakayev noted.

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