Missile UR-100N (SS-19 Stiletto)

Development of the UR-100N intercontinental ballistic missile—designated SS-19 Stiletto by NATO and 15A30 by industry—began in 1970, with flight tests conducted between 1973 and 1975. Development of an upgraded variant, the UR-100NUTTKh (SS-19 Mod 3), commenced in 1976 and underwent flight testing through the late 1970s.

The UR-100N is a fourth-generation, silo-launched, liquid-propellant ICBM. Due to its physical and operational characteristics, the system required the construction of dedicated launch silos rather than reusing existing infrastructure. The missile has a launch preparation time of 25 minutes and a storage period of 22 years. The baseline configuration carried six multiple independently targetable reentry vehicles (MIRVs). To comply with arms control treaty obligations, missiles were later rearmed with single warheads. Updated variants, designated SS-19 Mod 4, carry the Avangard hypersonic glide vehicle payload.

The UR-100N achieved initial operating capability in 1974, followed by the operational deployment of the UR-100NUTTKh in 1979. After the dissolution of the Soviet Union, deployed systems were located in both Russia and Ukraine. Ukraine subsequently dismantled its assigned launchers and transferred all nuclear warheads to Russia under the START I treaty and the Budapest Memorandum.

Russia remains the sole operator of the system, maintaining the UR-100N in service with the Strategic Missile Troops. A missile regiment equipped with the Avangard hypersonic payload officially entered combat duty in December 2019. The missile airframe was also adapted for civil applications as the Rokot space launch vehicle. Following a launch failure during the 2005 ESA CryoSat satellite mission, Rokot operations were suspended until corrective measures enabled a return to service in July 2006.