MOSCOW. Oct 22 (Interfax-AVN) - An RS-18 intercontinental ballistic missile (Stiletto under Western classification) was test-launched from the Baikonur space center in Kazakhstan on Wednesday, Russian Strategic Rocket Forces spokesman Col. Alexander Vovk told Interfax-AVN.
"The launch came as part of a program intended to prolong the service life of RS-18 strategic missile systems. The missile launched on Wednesday has been on combat duty for 31 years," he said.
Research and development efforts aimed at extending the service life of RS-18 missile systems have been carried out on orders from the Russian Defense Ministry. They involve developers and manufacturers of the system's key components, including the Moscow region-based NPO Mashinostroyenia company, the main developer of the missile and the system.