YARS NUCLEAR MISSILE

Feature

Description

First Production

2004

Stages

Three-stage

Propellant Type

Solid propellant

MIRV Capability

Multiple Independently Targetable Reentry Vehicles (MIRV)- They are payloads that contain multiple warheads that can each be aimed at a different target. MIRVs are used in long-range missiles to deliver multiple warheads that can destroy targets hundreds of kilometers apart.

Range

Minimum range: 2,000 km 

Maximum range: 10,500 km

Guidance System

Upgraded inertial system with Glonass support- (GLObalnaya NAvigatsionnaya Sputnikovaya Sistema in Russian. The role of the GLONASS satellite navigation system is similar to the GPS of the United States, the Galileo satellite positioning system of Europe, and the BeiDou satellite navigation system of China)

Warhead Capacity

Up to 10 MIRVs, each with a 300-kiloton thermonuclear warhead.

Manoeuvrability

Capable of in-flight manoeuvres.

Countermeasures

Deploys both active and passive decoys to counter modern missile defense systems.

Deployment

Can be mounted on truck carriers or deployed in silos.

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q.Consider the following statement about Yars nuclear missile?

1. It is a mobile intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) developed by Russia.
2. It is capable of carrying Multiple Independently Targetable Reentry Vehicles (MIRVs).
3. The missile has a minimum range of 5,000 km and a maximum range of 10,500 km.

Which of the above-given statements is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 1 and 3 only

(c) 2 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Answer: a

Statement 1 is correct: It is a Russian-made mobile nuclear intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) that can be mounted on truck carriers or deployed in silos. 

Statement 2 is correct: It is a three-stage, solid propellant, MIRV-capable (Multiple Independently Targetable Reentry Vehicles) ICBM.

Statement 3 is incorrect: It is expected to have a minimum range of 2,000 km and a maximum range of 10,500 km.