R-26 (SS-8 Sasin) Russian Intercontinental Ballistic Missile
For many years after this ICBM was first seen in a Moscow parade, in 1964, American official literature invariably linked it with SS-7 in such a way as to imply a technical similarity between the two systems. In fact the only links were geographical; the few SS-8s were apparently all emplaced at existing SS-7 sites. Technology is more akin to that of SS-5, though on a larger scale Sasin is very nearly of the same diameter as SS-7, though it is shorter. The storable liquid propellants are probably RFNA/kerosene, and control is almost certainly by four large jet vanes which were removed from the examples seen in 1964. These (two) missiles also had large circular covers over the base of the first stage, though it would be unwise to jump to the conclusion that this stage has one large thrust chamber. The second stage has prominent fairings over what are probably separation motors. Each stage has an external instrument conduit along the top of the tank sections. The warhead yield is estimated at 5 megatons, and guidance is inertial. In the 1964 parade the transporter was of great interest, the new 8 x 8 tug of MAZ-537 ancestry pulling an articulated trailer with three axles, suggesting that the missile can travel with its tanks already filled. Number deployed is arguable; one US estimate of 209 SS-7 and SS-8 together was interpreted as 100 + 109, but the correct 1975 figure was apparently 190 + 19. The 19 were deactivated and replaced by SLBMs.
Dimensions: Length 80 feet; diameter 9 feet.
Launch weight: About 169,753 pounds.
Range: About 6,500 miles.
