In Western military circles, it is known by the ominous NATO reporting name “Satan II.” In Russia, it is the RS-28 Sarmat, the crown jewel of their strategic nuclear forces.
Unveiled by Vladimir Putin during his infamous 2018 State of the Nation address, the Sarmat is not designed for tactical battles. It is a doomsday weapon. It is the heaviest, most powerful Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) ever built.
Why build a missile so massive? What is the strategic logic behind a weapon capable of wiping out an area the size of France? This article delves into the RS-28 Sarmat’s destructive power, its ability to carry hypersonic glide vehicles, and its role as the ultimate guarantor of Russia’s sovereignty.
The Behemoth: Technical Specifications
The RS-28 Sarmat is a liquid-fueled, silo-based super-heavy ICBM. It replaces the Soviet-era R-36M “Satan” (SS-18).
| Parameter | Specification | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Launch Weight | 208,100 kg (229 tons) | outweighing a Blue Whale |
| Length | 35.5 meters (116 ft) | As tall as a 12-story building |
| Diameter | 3 meters (9.8 ft) | |
| Range | 18,000 km (11,185 miles) | Can strike anywhere on Earth |
| Payload Capacity | 10,000 kg (10 tons) | Can carry 10 heavy or 15 light warheads |
| Propulsion | Liquid-fueled (RD-264 variants) | Allows for massive thrust and throw-weight |
Why Liquid Fuel? The “Throw-Weight” Advantage
Most modern ICBMs (like the US Minuteman III or Russian Yars) use solid fuel. Solid fuel is safer, stores easier, and allows for faster launches.
However, Russia stuck with liquid fuel for Sarmat. Why?
The Payload: MIRVs and Avangard
The Sarmat is a “deployment bus.” Once it reaches space, it can release a nightmare variety of payloads.
1. MIRVs (Multiple Independently targetable Re-entry Vehicles)
It can carry up to 10 heavy or 15 light nuclear warheads. Each warhead can be directed to a different target. A single Sarmat could theoretically destroy every major city on the US East Coast.
2. The Avangard Hypersonic Glide Vehicle
This is the game-changer. The Sarmat acts as a booster for the Avangard.
Instead of a traditional warhead that falls in a ballistic arc, the Avangard detaches and glides* along the top of the atmosphere at Mach 20-27.
Orbital Bombardment: The “South Pole” Route
One of the Sarmat’s most touted features is its incredibly long range (18,000 km). This allows for Fractional Orbital Bombardment (FOBS) concepts.
The Sarmat Route: It has the range to fly over the South Pole. It can approach the US from the south (via Mexico/South America), where there are effectively no* missile defense radars. It flanks the entire shield.
Strategic Messaging and Testing
The Sarmat has had a troubled birth.
These failures highlight the risk of liquid-fueled rockets. They are complex plumbing nightmares. A leak or valve failure can lead to an explosion that destroys the launcher and the missile (and the silo).
Conclusion
The RS-28 Sarmat is a weapon of the past and the future collision. It uses 1960s-style liquid propulsion to deliver 2020s-style hypersonic tech.
Its existence serves one primary purpose: Deterrence through Terror. By building a missile so large, with so many warheads, and such un-interceptable flight paths, Russia aims to ensure that no missile defense shield—current or future—can ever neutralize its nuclear threat.
For the world, the Satan II is a sobering reminder that the logic of Mutually Assured Destruction is alive and well, and it just got a heavy upgrade.
Disclaimer: Information regarding nuclear capabilities is based on public estimates by the Federation of American Scientists and Russian Ministry of Defense announcements.