This was the first Ballistic missile deployed by the Soviet Navy. Development started in 1954 and was based on the Army's R-11 missile. Land based tests began in the spring of 1955 and out of 14 launches 12 were successful. The first submarine to carry this missile was the converted Pr. 611 submarine B-67. The submarine was ready in September 1955 and on 16 September 1955 it made the world's first ballistic missile launch from a submarine. The missile was accepted into service in 1959.
During the service life of these missiles from 1958 to 1967 a total of 77 launches were made from a submarine. Out of those 59 were successful, 3 failed due to control problems, 7 failed due to crew errors and 8 failed for unknown reasons. A total of 10 submarines carried this missile.
This missile was surface launched and required 2 hours to prepare for launch while underwater and then 5 more minutes while on the surface. Three missiles were launched with 5 minute intervals. Missile could be fired from a submarine moving at 8 to 12 knots and at sea states 4-5.
This was a single-stage missile with a liquid fuel engine, controlled by the gas jets mounted in the exhaust of the engines. The missile was fueled by kerosene and nitric acid.
| Designation | R-11FM |
|---|---|
| Ship Class Used On | Zulu V class (Pr. AV611) (2 missiles) and Golf I class (Pr. 629) (3 missiles) |
| Date In Service | 1959 |
| Weight | 11,905 lbs. (5,400 kg) |
| Dimensions | 405.5 x 34.7 in (10.3 x 0.88 m) |
| Payload | One warhead Total payload weight 2,149.5 lbs. (975 kg) |
| Range | 82 nm (150 km) |
| Propulsion | Single-stage liquid fuel rocket |
Data from:
- "Ballisticheskie Rakety Otechestvennogo Flota" (Ballistic Missiles of the Fatherland Fleet) by Yu. L Korshunov and E.M. Kytovoy
Special help from Vladimir Yakubov