MOSCOW. Nov 29 (Interfax-AVN) - A Topol (RS-12M) ICBM was launched by the Russian Space Forces and the Strategic Missile Forces from the Plesetsk Space Center at 10.44 a.m. Moscow time (0744 hours GMT) on Tuesday, Colonel Alexei Kuznetsov, head of the Space Forces press-service, told Interfax-Military News Agency.
"The missile was launched from an autonomous launcher. The objective of the launch is to confirm characteristics of the Topol mobile ground-based missile system in order to extend its service life up to 20 years," Kuznetsov said.
According to him, the launch was conducted as planned.
The simulated target to be hit by the Topol ICBM is based at the Kura firing range in Kamchatka.
Kuznetsov noted that the Space Forces were constantly monitoring the Topol missile flight with the help of missile attack warning and airspace surveillance systems, as well as ground-based command control systems.
The analysis of the data received shows that all pre-launch operations, the launch, and the flight of the missile have been conducted in strict compliance with the timetable.
In the course of the launch experts from the Plesetsk Space Center will continue gathering and processing statistics on operation of the missile's systems and units during pre-launch checks, the launch proper, and the flight.
The Plesetsk Space Center has launched about 500 ICBMs, and tested 11 missile systems in the interests of the Russian Strategic Missile Forces.
Since September 29, 1981, when the first Topol ICBM was launched, the Plesetsk Space Center has launched 82 such missiles, including the current launch, with about 50 of them being combat training launches.