Russia tests Topol-M missile to subdue USA’s $50-billion air defense
11/02/2005 11:33

The unpredictable flight trajectory of the Russian missile makes it immune to destruction

http://english.pravda.ru/main/18/87/347/16401_TopolM.html

It was an SS-25 (SICKLE) that was test launched. Pravda got it all mixed up yet again!

MoscNews & Novosti got it correct. The launch of the SS-25 was notified under START. No SS-27 was launched. Amazing how the press in their frenzy managed to twist it into an SS-27! Subsequently half the worlds press followed like sheep and reported it as a Topol-M.

“The Russian military successfully tested an intercontinental ballistic missile in a test of its performance under an extended service-life, the Interfax news agency reported.

Colonel Alexander Vovk said the launch was meant “to confirm the flight characteristics of the missile under an extended service-life,” the agency reported.”

Novosti also got it correct:

“MOSCOW, November 1 (RIA Novosti) – The Russian Defense Ministry said Tuesday it had successfully conducted a test launch of a Topol RS12 intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) from the Kapustny Yar test range in the Astrakhan region.

A ministry spokesman said the launch was conducted to check the ICBM’s flight characteristics during its extended life-term, along with testing measuring equipment.”

Having spent a very wet and frightening trip to North London this morning on business, I ended up at Bishops Stortford, then thought sod it I’ll have the afternoon off for a change and hammered up to Mildenhall on the off chance I might see this fabled WB-57, took a surprisingly short time to get there as well.
Couldn’t see it anywhere, but a/c were short on the ground anyway, apart from the ubiqutous tankers, 2 of which were constantly doing circuits and bumps, presumably practising to find Duxford next year, there were no EC-135’s, only 2 C-130’s, a C17 and nice to see the old faithful Galaxy again. Presume the WB-57 was in one of the main hangers, did it fly over the Atlantic to monitor the latest hurricane, what is the story in the local paper.
Went to Lakenheath to be told that a TR-1 had landed that morning and was hidden away somewhere.
Some nice take offs by the Eagles, order of the day was full reheat, keep it low then a vertical climb to infinity and beyond, the best one was the pilot who barrel rolled around a cloud at about 10,000ft.
Plenty of noise and action on return to, perhaps they were also practising for Duxford next year, also the C-135’s had got fed up with burning rubber at Mildenhall and started on Lakenheath, at one stage I thought one was getting to close for comfort to an F-15 about to take off, but fear not no haze.
Good afternoons entertainment but no WB-57, if the wind is in the same direction it will take off east-west, not so good for those taxying shots, the way things are now with security on the base, anyone in the know let us in on the info as I’m quite taken with this a/c.
Do they intend to open up the viewing area at Mildenhall, it seems to be full of rubble and JCB’s, if Lakenheath can do it,( with interesting CCTV cameras on tripods), why not the bigger boys.

“Went to Lakenheath to be told that a TR-1 had landed that morning and was hidden away somewhere.”

That would have been a U-2S. TR-1 designation went in the early 90’s.