Russian Next-Gen 100-Ton Nuclear Missile Could Be Test-Fired By 2017, Says Russian News Wire

Russia’s Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missile is set for a drop test this year and a test launch within a year and a half of the drop test, Russian defense sources told ITAR-TASS on Thursday.

The new missile is set to replace the Cold-War era R-36 missile, nicknamed “SS-18 Satan” by NATO, which is still the world’s largest intercontinental ballistic missile ever made.

Russian technicians will conduct a “drop test” at some point this year to measure the missile’s lift and proper evolution through its launch stages before they conduct a full test launch, provided the missile performs. The missile is expected to enter service in 2020.

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