R-16

R-16
Credit - © Mark Wade
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Intercontinental ballistic missile. Year: 1962. IOC: 1962. Family: R-36. Country: Ukraine. Status: Out of production. Department of Defence Designation: SS-7 Mod 1. ASCC Reporting Name: Saddler. Article Number: 8K64. Manufacturer's Designation: R-16. Launch System: Sheksna-N. Complex: 8K64.

The Soviet Union's first practical ICBM, a two stage vehicle using storable propellants. Development began in 1956 and the missile was in service from 1962 to 1974. Peak deployment consisted of 186 launchers, about a third of them in missile silos, the rest in fixed 'soft' installations.

The Soviet leadership recognised that Korolev's missile designs were expensive and impractical for military purposes. Therefore as early as 17 December 1956 Yangel was ordered to start work on development of a storable-propellant alternative to Korolev's R-7 ICBM, with trials planned for June 1961. The draft project was completed in November 1957 and reviewed by an expert commission in January 1958. The work was ordered accelerated on 28 August 1958. A 13 May 1959 decree authorised Yangel to begin work on the R-14 MRBM and R-16 ICBM, and Korolev to start advanced development of the competing R-9 design. Such was the urgency to obtain usable quick-reaction ballistic missiles to replace the R-7, the decree specifically prohibited Yangel from further work on SLBM's. This was later extended to surface-to-air missiles and cruise missiles, forcing him to concentrate on providing the Soviet Union with a credible nuclear deterrent. Yangel sold his ICBM concept to the leadership as simply his R-12 IRBM serving as the second stage to his R-14 MRBM. In fact substantial redesign and repackaging of all elements, and new propellants were necessary to provide a viable ICBM.

Construction began of LC-41 and LC-42 at Baikonur in the spring of 1960. LC-41 would be used for experimental and test launches, and LC-42 to prove tactical systems. Stand tests of the first and second stages started at Zagorsk in August 1960. Yangel's new MIK assembly building at Baikonur received the first flight missile in September. This On 24 October 1960 the first R-16 prototype was fuelled and on the pad, awaiting launch. An electrical problem developed, leading to a hold. Marshal Nedelin, commander of the Strategic Rocket Forces, ordered the engineers and technicians to fix the problem without the long delay of defuelling and refurbishing the missile. He personally had a deck chair brought out to the pad so he could watch the work first-hand. At 18:45 local time a spurious radio signal ordered the second stage of the rocket to fire while workers swarmed around the missile in its gantry. The missile exploded, killing a good part of the Soviet Union's rocket engineering and management talent. Among the dead were Nedelin, Konopalev (designer of the missile's guidance system), Grishin (deputy chairman of GKOT), Nosov (chief of launch command at Baikonur), and OKB-586 engineers Kontsevsky and Lev Berlin. 74 people were killed immediately, and 48 died in the ensuing weeks from burns or contact with the toxic and corrosive propellants. The total included 38 civilian engineers and 84 officers and enlisted rocket technicians.

Nevertheless the programme was of such high priority that development continued. The next launch attempt, on 2 February 1961, was a failure, with the missile impacting only 520 km from the launch site. But a successful first launch was achieved 20 days later. The missile obtained preliminary acceptance for military use on 20 October 1961, in order to get production lines started. Following the first trials series the missile was fully accepted for military service on 15 June 1963. This first pad-launched version used the Sheksna-N launch complex. This consisted of two launch pads, a command point, a vehicle preparation base, and a propellant farm. In service an R-16 regiment consisted of three launch pads.

Development of a more militarily useful silo-based version of the missile had been authorised on 14 June 1960. The R-16U missile designed for this purpose could be used for either pad or silo launch. This version was accepted for service on 15 July 1963. These were deployed in groups of three silos, controlled from a single command centre and separated by 8 to 10 km. Series production of the missile had begun in 1961 at Factory 586 in Dnepropetrovsk and Factory 166 in Omsk. 186 8P864 pad launchers were originally built for the R-16 in 1961-1965. One third of these were later moved to hardened silos as these became available. The first R-16 regiments became operational at Nizhniy Tagil, Yurya and Baikonur on 1 November 1961, followed by LC-6, LC-7 and LC-8 at Plesestk between 15 January and 13 June 1962. By the end of 1962 26 launchers were in service, by 1964 153 launchers, and peak deployment of 186 R-16/R-16U pad and silo launchers was attained in 1965 and maintained until 1974. The R-16 had by then long since outlived its operational usefulness but served as a useful bargaining chip in the SALT-1 Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty negotiations with the United States. Under the treaty, the R-16 launchers were demolished in 1974-1977 in such a way that their uselessness could be verified by American photo-reconnaissance satellites. Total deployment declining to 138 missiles by the end of 1976. The final R-16U silo was demolished in 1978.

Although having a number of operational drawbacks, the R-16 was the only weapon that provided the Soviet Union with a credible nuclear deterrent between 1962 and 1967, when the UR-100 and R-36 surpassed it in numbers deployed. This was the first operational ICBM using storable propellants, and it could be held in fuelled launch readiness for up to 30 days before having to be defuelled and refurbished. To assure warhead accuracy solid rocket engines braked the second stage away from the re-entry vehicle after separation. The three variants of thermonuclear warheads were designed by Samuel Kocharyaits. The all-inertial guidance system was designed by B M Konopalev at NII-692 and had a total mass of 440 kg (152 kg of avionics in the first stage and 288 kg in the second).

Glushko built the RD-218/RD-219 main engine assemblies for the 8S81 first and 8S82 second stages, but Yangel's OKB-86 itself had to develop the small vernier engines in each stage used for steering and velocity trim. These were the RD-68, with 4 thrusters and a total thrust of 380 kN in the first stage, and RD-69, with 4 thrusters totalling 49.2 kN in the second stage. The vehicle was loaded with a total of 130 tonnes of AK-27I Nitric acid / UDMH propellants. Gaseous oxygen was used for oxidiser tank pressurisation.

Manufacturer: Yuzhnoye. Launches: 212. Failures: 28. Success Rate: 86.79%. First Launch Date: 1960-10-24. Last Launch Date: 1972-01-01. Launch data is: incomplete. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). Liftoff Thrust: 2,221.300 kN (499,368 lbf). Total Mass: 140,600 kg (309,900 lb). Core Diameter: 3.00 m (9.80 ft). Total Length: 30.44 m (99.86 ft). Span: 3.00 m (9.80 ft). Standard warhead mass: 1,475 kg (3,251 lb). Maximum range: 13,000 km (8,000 mi). Number Standard Warheads: 1. Standard RV: 8F17. Standard warhead yield: 3,000 KT. Standard warhead CEP: 2.70 km (1.60 mi). Alternate warhead mass: 2,175 kg (4,795 lb). Maximum range with alternate warhead: 11,000 km (6,000 mi). Number Alternate Warheads: 1. Alternate RV: 8F115 or 8F116. Alternate warhead CEP: 2.23 km (1.38 mi). Boost Propulsion: Storable liquid rocket, IRFNA/UDMH. Boost engine: RD-218. Cruise Propulsion: Storable liquid rocket, IRFNA/UDMH. Cruise engine: RD-219. Guidance: Inertial.

Model: 64S5. Country: Russia. Other Designations: Tsiklon-1. Article Number: 11K64. Manufacturer's Designation: 64S5. Complex: 11K64.

Space launch version, never went beyond design stage.

Model: R-16U. Country: Russia. Department of Defence Designation: SS-7 Mod.2. ASCC Reporting Name: Saddler. Article Number: 8K64U. Manufacturer's Designation: R-16U. Launch System: Sheksna-V. Complex: 8K64U.

Standardised version of R-16, for either pad or silo launch.

Development of the R-16U universal version of the missile, for either pad or silo launch, and the 8P764 launch silo, was begun in March 1960. The silo was designed by KBTM Leningrad, the first missile silo handled by this design bureau. Modifications to the missile for silo launch included the use of inert nitrogen gas propellant tank pressurisation and modifications to the vernier steering engines of the first stage. Test launches of the R-16U began in February 1962 from an open launch pad. The first silo, 'Object 310', was built at LC-60 at Baikonur with the first launch on 13 June 1962. On this launch the missile cleared the silo, but failed to guide in flight. There were several more failures until a solution was found, a heat-resistant fabric cover to protect the verniers from the hot gases during silo launch. The 8S81U and 8S81UFS first and second stages of the missile used the same engines as the basic R-16, but the first stage engines were tweaked to provide 2% greater thrust on lift-off.

Four variant silo designs were studied, the draft projects for them being completed in Mach 1960, October 1960, and the final one in March 1961. The selected 'Sheksna-V' complex consisted of three silos, a common propellant storage bunker, and a hardened command bunker with its own electrical generator for sustained autonomous operation. The first R-16U silo regiment became operational at Nizhniy Tagil on 5 February 1963. The Third Rocket Division was activated at Plesetsk on 30 March 1963 at LC-9, LC-10, and LC-11 at Plesetsk, In May 1963 the salvo launch of three R-16U's was demonstrated. The R-16U and its silo complex were officially accepted by the military on 15 July 1963. R-16U's also took part in the massive Operation Groza, with the R-16U being the first Soviet ICBM launched from a silo during such an exercise on 8 October 1963.

The R-16U was deployed to Bershet, Nizhniy Tagil, Bologoye, Itatka, Yoshkar-Ola, Novosibirsk, Shadrinsk, and Yurya. The missile was accepted for military service on 15 July 1963 and last finally withdrawn from service under the SALT-1 treaty in 1978.

Liftoff Thrust: 2,610.000 kN (586,750 lbf). Total Mass: 146,600 kg (323,100 lb). Core Diameter: 3.00 m (9.80 ft). Total Length: 34.30 m (112.50 ft). Span: 3.00 m (9.80 ft).

Stage Data - R-16

Stage Number: 1. 1 x Stage: R-16 Stage 1. Gross Mass: 110,000 kg (240,000 lb). Empty Mass: 10,000 kg (22,000 lb). Thrust (vac): 2,609.500 kN (586,639 lbf). Isp: 289 sec. Burn time: 106 sec. Isp(sl): 246 sec. Diameter: 3.00 m (9.80 ft). Span: 3.00 m (9.80 ft). Length: 16.00 m (52.00 ft). Propellants: Nitric acid/UDMH. No Engines: 1. Engine: RD-218. Range 12,000 km. Tsniimash has 1:10 structural simulation model. Two stage ICBM with nitric acid oxidizer. Developed 1956-1961. Entered service 1961. Chief designer Yangel. Source: Placard, TsNIIMASH.

Stage Number: 2. 1 x Stage: R-16 Stage 2. Gross Mass: 27,000 kg (59,000 lb). Empty Mass: 3,000 kg (6,600 lb). Thrust (vac): 882.100 kN (198,304 lbf). Isp: 293 sec. Burn time: 80 sec. Diameter: 2.40 m (7.80 ft). Span: 2.40 m (7.80 ft). Length: 13.00 m (42.00 ft). Propellants: Nitric acid/UDMH. No Engines: 1. Engine: RD-219. Range 12,000 km. Tsniimash has 1:10 structural simulation model. Two stage ICBM with nitric acid oxidizer. Developed 1956-1961. Entered service 1961. Chief designer Yangel. Source: Placard, TsNIIMASH.

R-16 Chronology

1956 December 17 - Launch Vehicle: R-16.

Development of the R-16 ICBM is authorised. Nation: USSR. Council of Soviet Ministers (SM) Decree 'On the Creation of the Intercontinental Ballistic Missile R-16 (8k64) with Start of LKI in June 1961--start of work on the R-16 ICBM' was issued. References: 474.

Summer 1958 - Launch Vehicle: R-12, R-16, R-9.

Khrushchev conceives of use of silos for Soviet long range missiles Nation: USSR. Khrushchev independently conceived of the idea of storing and launching ballistic missiles from subterranean silos. He called Korolev to his dacha in the Crimea. Korolev told him his idea was not feasible. He then called Barmin and Yangel. Barmin said he would study the idea. Yangel remained silent. Some time later Khrushchev’s son saw a drawing of the same concept in a US aerospace magazine. He informed his father, who ordered immediate crash development of the first generation of Soviet missile silos.References: 539.

1958 August 28 - Launch Vehicle: R-16.

R-16 development accelerated. Nation: USSR. Decree 'On expansion of work on the R- 16 ICBM' was issued. References: 474.

1959 May 13 - Launch Vehicle: R-9, R-16.

R-9 and R-16 development measures approved. Nation: USSR. Central Committee of the Communist Party and Council of Soviet Ministers Decree 'On start of dedicated work on the R-9 and R-16 ICBMs' was issued. References: 474.

Summer 1959 - Launch Vehicle: R-16.

Khrushchev tours Yuzhnoye facility and directs creation of Strategic Rocket Forces (RVSN) Nation: USSR. Khrushchev tours Yangel’s missile factory at Dnepropetrovsk. At this time Yangel was developing the R-16, equipped with an autonomous inertial navigation unit -- while Korolev was still using radio guidance. Leonid Smirnov was manager of the factory (he would later be made Deputy Chairman of the Council of Ministers, reporting to Ustinov). The delegation included Rudnev, Kalmykov, Serbin, Nedelin and Podgorny. Yangel told the leaders to think of the R-16 as an R-12 stacked atop an R-14. In this way he was able to quickly develop an ICBM on the basis of existing rockets. He expected to have an R-16 test article ready for tests with the first ICBM silo by September 1959. Khrushchev was overjoyed and discussed his plans to create an entirely new branch of the service - the RVSN, Strategic Rocket Forces. The Soviet Union had no real equivalent to the US Strategic Air Command and the VVS Air Forces would not handle ballistic missiles correctly. He asked Nedelin to draw up a plan to create the new branch. There was no objection form the leadership or military chiefs. None of the military services wished to handle the missiles.

1959 December - Launch Vehicle: R-5M, R-7A, R-16.

Twelfth General Directorate of the Ministry of Defence charged only with ballistic missile warhead safekeeping Nation: USSR. This directorate's activities were limited specifically to safekeeping of the warheads of the RSVN rocket forces.

1960 February 22 - Launch Vehicle: R-16.

State Commission to oversee R-16 tests established. Nation: USSR. Council of Soviet Ministers (SM) Decree 236-89 'On creation of the State Commission for the R-16 ICBM' was issued. References: 474.

1960 June 14 - Launch Vehicle: R-12, R-14, R-16, R-9.

Development of Silo-Launched IRBM's and ICBM's approved. Nation: USSR. State Committee for Defence Technology (GKOT) Decree 'On creation of shaft units (silos) for the R-12, R-14, R-16, and R-9 missiles' was issued. References: 474.

1960 October 24 - 15:45 GMT - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC41. Launch Vehicle: R-16. LV Configuration: R-16 LKI. FAILURE: Exploded on pad, killing nearly 100 people.

Test mission Nation: USSR. Agency: RVSN. First attempted launch of R-16 ICBM results in explosion on pad, killing over 100 military, engineers, and technicians, including Strategic Rocket Forces Marshal Nedelin. The first R-16 prototype was fuelled and on the pad, awaiting launch. An electrical problem developed, leading to a hold. Marshal Nedelin, commander of the Strategic Rocket Forces, ordered the engineers and technicians to fix the problem without the long delay of defuelling and refurbishing the missile. He personally had a deck chair brought out to the pad so he could watch the work first-hand. At 18:45 local time a spurious radio signal ordered the second stage of the rocket to fire while workers swarmed around the missile in its gantry. The missile exploded, killing a good part of the Soviet Union's rocket engineering and management talent. Among the dead were Nedelin, Konoptev, Grishin, Nosov, Kontsevsky, and Lev Berlin. 74 people were killed immediately, and 48 died in the ensuing weeks from burns or contact with the toxic and corrosive propellants. The total included 38 civilian engineers and 84 officers and enlisted rocket technicians. Yangel, the rocket's designer, was spared only because he had slipped into a bunker for a cigarette when the explosion occurred.References: 89, 759.

1961 January 5 - Launch Vehicle: R-16.

State Commission Meeting Nation: USSR. Program: Vostok, Venera. Spacecraft: Vostok. Rudnev chaired the meeting, which first heard the failure analysis for the failed Mars launches on 10 and 14 October and the R-16 catastrophe on 24 October. All of these had been accelerated to coincide with Khrushchev's visit to the United Nations in New York, in Kamanin's view a criminal rush that led to the death of 74 officers and men in the R-16 explosion. Future plans were then reviewed. Launches of probes toward Venus were planned for 20-23 January, 28-30 January, and 8-10 February. Four Vostok manned spacecraft were completed, with first launch scheduled for 5 February and the second for 15-20 February.

1961 January 26 - Launch Vehicle: R-16, Molniya 8K78.

Venera delays Nation: USSR. Spacecraft: Mars 2MV-2. The Object V launch is delayed to 1 February. Yangel has also had to postpone the next R-16 launch attempt to 26-30 January. References: 376.

1961 January 31 - Launch Vehicle: R-16, Molniya 8K78.

Back at Tyuratam Nation: USSR. Spacecraft: Mars 2MV-2. Kamanin flies to the cosmodrome with Korolev, Keldysh, Moskalenko, General Semenov, and others. Yangel's R-16 ICBM is not ready for launch yet due to continuing problems with the radio systems. The Venera is set for a 2 February launch attempt. References: 376.

1961 February 2 - 19:00 GMT - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC41. Launch Vehicle: R-16. LV Configuration: R-16 3L-5T. FAILURE: Failure.

First successful R-16 launch. Nation: USSR. Agency: RVSN. The missile was supposed to be launched at 18:00, but is then delayed to 24:00 due to technical problems. It is a clear night, illuminated by the moon, and the missile takes off at midnight. The first three minutes of flight are successful, but then the second stage fails to ignite. The missiles impacts 520 km downrange from the launch pad.References: 98, 376, 759.

1961 February 3 - Launch Vehicle: R-16, Molniya 8K78.

R-16 failure analysis Nation: USSR. The events began with an access hatch on the second stage coming off at lift-off - it had been secured with two bolts rather than the eight required. Aerodynamic forces produced a harmonic vibration of the metal structure, measured in millimetres, but enough to disrupt the gyroscopes, which in turn provided false signals to the guidance and control system, which in turn resulted in no igntion signal going to the second stage. Korolev has his Venera booster back on the pad for the 4 February launch. They are much better prepared now than four or five days ago.References: 376.

1961 March 3 - 13:59 GMT - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC41. Launch Vehicle: R-16. LV Configuration: R-16 4L-6T.

Test mission Nation: USSR. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). References: 759.

1961 April 2 - 14:06 GMT - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC41. Launch Vehicle: R-16. LV Configuration: R-16 5L-7T.

First full range R-16 flight. Nation: USSR. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). The R-16 carried a warhead to the impact zone in the Kamchatka Peninsula, only 400 m off target in range, and only 50 m to the right. References: 759.

1961 April 15 - 13:58 GMT - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC41. Launch Vehicle: R-16. LV Configuration: R-16 7L-12T. FAILURE: Failure.

Test mission Nation: USSR. Agency: RVSN. References: 759.

1961 April 21 - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC41. Launch Vehicle: R-16. LV Configuration: R-16 6L-11T. FAILURE: Failure.

Test mission Nation: USSR. Agency: RVSN. References: 759.

1961 April 27 - Launch Vehicle: R-16.

R-16U silo-based ICBM operational plan issued. Nation: USSR. State Committee for Defence Technology (GKOT) Decree 'On the Organisation of Military Duty of the R-16U (Unified Variant)--putting the R-16U missile into operation' was issued. References: 474.

1961 May 16 - 19:23 GMT - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC41. Launch Vehicle: R-16. LV Configuration: R-16 8L-8T.

Test mission Nation: USSR. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). References: 759.

1961 May 24 - 03:18 GMT - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC41. Launch Pad: LC41/4. Launch Vehicle: R-16. LV Configuration: R-16 9L-9T. FAILURE: Failure.

Test mission Nation: USSR. Agency: RVSN. References: 759.

1961 June 2 - 17:24 GMT - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC41. Launch Pad: LC41/4. Launch Vehicle: R-16. LV Configuration: R-16 10L-10T.

Test mission Nation: USSR. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). References: 759.

1961 June 6 - 18:00 GMT - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC41. Launch Pad: LC41/4. Launch Vehicle: R-16. LV Configuration: R-16 11L-13T. FAILURE: Failure.

Test mission Nation: USSR. Agency: RVSN. References: 759.

1961 June 16 - 07:47 GMT - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC41. Launch Pad: LC41/4. Launch Vehicle: R-16. LV Configuration: R-16 14L-16T. FAILURE: Failure.

Test mission Nation: USSR. Agency: RVSN. References: 759.

1961 July 22 - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC41. Launch Pad: LC41/4. Launch Vehicle: R-16. LV Configuration: R-16 13L-15T. FAILURE: Failure.

Test mission Nation: USSR. Agency: RVSN. References: 759.

1961 August 9 - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC41. Launch Pad: LC41/4. Launch Vehicle: R-16. LV Configuration: R-16 12L-14T.

Test mission Nation: USSR. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). References: 759.

1961 August 13 - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC41. Launch Pad: LC41/4. Launch Vehicle: R-16. LV Configuration: R-16 21L. FAILURE: Failure.

Test mission Nation: USSR. Agency: RVSN. References: 759.

1961 September 1 - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Vehicle: R-16.

New ICBM tests announced. Nation: USSR. U.S.S.R. announced that it would launch a series of "more powerful and improved rockets. (Article in Red Star timed to coincide with first firing of new rocket series in the Pacific.) References: 18.

1961 September 4 - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC41. Launch Pad: LC41/4. Launch Vehicle: R-16. LV Configuration: R-16 23L.

Test mission Nation: USSR. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). References: 759.

1961 September 10 - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC41. Launch Pad: LC41/4. Launch Vehicle: R-16. LV Configuration: R-16 22L.

Test mission Nation: USSR. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). References: 759.

1961 September 13 - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC41. Launch Pad: LC41/4. Launch Vehicle: R-16. LV Configuration: R-16 17L.

Test mission Nation: USSR. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). References: 759.

1961 September 17 - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC41. Launch Pad: LC41/4. Launch Vehicle: R-16. LV Configuration: R-16 15L.

Test mission Nation: USSR. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). References: 759.

1961 September 22 - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC41. Launch Pad: LC41/4. Launch Vehicle: R-16. LV Configuration: R-16 16L. FAILURE: Failure.

Test mission Nation: USSR. Agency: RVSN. References: 759.

1961 October 9 - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC41. Launch Pad: LC41/4. Launch Vehicle: R-16. Model: R-16U. LV Configuration: R-16U 2LU.

Test mission Nation: USSR. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). References: 759.

1961 October 11 - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC41. Launch Pad: LC41/4. Launch Vehicle: R-16. Model: R-16U. LV Configuration: R-16U 1LU. FAILURE: Failure.

Test mission Nation: USSR. Agency: RVSN. References: 759.

1961 October 15 - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC41. Launch Vehicle: R-16. Model: R-16U. LV Configuration: R-16U 4LU.

Test mission Nation: USSR. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). References: 759.

1961 October 20 - Launch Vehicle: R-16.

R-16 accepted into military service. Nation: USSR. Decree 'On adoption of the R-16 into armaments' was issued. References: 474.

1961 October 22 - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC41. Launch Vehicle: R-16. Model: R-16U. LV Configuration: R-16U 3LU.

Test mission Nation: USSR. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). References: 759.

1961 October 28 - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC41. Launch Vehicle: R-16. Model: R-16U. LV Configuration: R-16U 5LU.

Test mission Nation: USSR. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). References: 759.

1961 October 29 - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC41. Launch Pad: LC41?. Launch Vehicle: R-16.

K (OT) Test mission Nation: USSR. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). References: 1181.

1961 November 29 - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC41. Launch Pad: LC41?. Launch Vehicle: R-16.

State trials missile test Nation: USSR. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). References: 1181.

1961 December 2 - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC41. Launch Pad: LC41?. Launch Vehicle: R-16. FAILURE: Failure.

Test mission Nation: USSR. Agency: RVSN. References: 1181.

1962 January 4 - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC41. Launch Pad: LC41/4. Launch Vehicle: R-16. Model: R-16U.

State trials missile test Nation: USSR. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). References: 1181.

1962 January 13 - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC41. Launch Pad: LC41/4. Launch Vehicle: R-16. Model: R-16U.

State trials missile test Nation: USSR. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). References: 744.

1962 January 16 - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC41. Launch Pad: LC41/4. Launch Vehicle: R-16. Model: R-16U.

State trials missile test Nation: USSR. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). References: 1181.

1962 January 17 - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC41. Launch Pad: LC41/4. Launch Vehicle: R-16. Model: R-16U.

State trials missile test Nation: USSR. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). References: 1181.

1962 January 25 - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC41. Launch Pad: LC41/4. Launch Vehicle: R-16. Model: R-16U.

State trials missile test Nation: USSR. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). References: 1181.

During February 1962 - Launch Vehicle: UR-200, UR-500, R-16, R-56, R-9, N1.

Pitsunda Conference - Decision to start design of UR-500 and N1 lunar boosters Nation: USSR. The Soviet leadership attends a secret exhibition of Soviet rocket technology in a sporting hall at Pitsunda, on the Black Sea. The Chief Designers offer competing designs. It is decided that the R-16, R-9, UR-200, UR-500, and N1 will go forward. Yangel's R-56 is rejected.Additional Details: Pitsunda Conference - Decision to start design of UR-500 and N1 lunar boosters(27080). References: 539.

1962 July 13 - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC60. Launch Pad: LC60/8. Launch Vehicle: R-16. Model: R-16U. FAILURE: Failure.

State trials missile test Nation: USSR. Agency: RVSN. References: 744.

1962 July 31 - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC60. Launch Pad: LC60/8. Launch Vehicle: R-16. Model: R-16U.

State trials missile test Nation: USSR. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). References: 1181.

1962 October 5 - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC41. Launch Pad: LC41/4. Launch Vehicle: R-16. Model: R-16U.

State trials missile test Nation: USSR. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). References: 1181.

1962 October 5 - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC60. Launch Pad: LC60/8?. Launch Vehicle: R-16. Model: R-16U. LV Configuration: R-16U 17 min salvo.

State trials missile test Nation: USSR. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). References: 1181.

1962 October 16 - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC60. Launch Pad: LC60/8?. Launch Vehicle: R-16. Model: R-16U.

State trials missile test Nation: USSR. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). References: 1181.

1962 October 17 - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC41. Launch Pad: LC41/4. Launch Vehicle: R-16. Model: R-16U.

State trials missile test Nation: USSR. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). References: 1181.

1962 November 3 - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC41. Launch Pad: LC41/4. Launch Vehicle: R-16. Model: R-16U.

Operational Test mission Nation: USSR. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). References: 1181.

1962 November 24 - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC41. Launch Pad: LC41/4. Launch Vehicle: R-16. Model: R-16U.

State trials missile test Nation: USSR. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). References: 1181.

1962 November 25 - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC41. Launch Pad: LC41/4. Launch Vehicle: R-16. Model: R-16U. FAILURE: Failure.

State trials missile test Nation: USSR. Agency: RVSN. References: 1181.

1962 December 12 - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC41. Launch Pad: LC41/4. Launch Vehicle: R-16. Model: R-16U.

State trials missile test Nation: USSR. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). References: 1181.

1962 December 13 - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC41. Launch Pad: LC41/4. Launch Vehicle: R-16. Model: R-16U.

State trials missile test Nation: USSR. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). References: 1181.

1962 December 17 - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC41. Launch Pad: LC41/4. Launch Vehicle: R-16. Model: R-16U.

State trials missile test Nation: USSR. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). References: 1181.

1963 March 4 - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC41. Launch Pad: LC41/4. Launch Vehicle: R-16. Model: R-16U.

Operational test launch Nation: USSR. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). References: 1181.

1963 March 30 - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC41. Launch Pad: LC41/4. Launch Vehicle: R-16. Model: R-16U.

Operational test launch Nation: USSR. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). References: 1181.

1963 April 26 - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC41. Launch Pad: LC41/4. Launch Vehicle: R-16. Model: R-16U.

Operational test launch Nation: USSR. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). References: 1181.

1963 May - Launch Vehicle: R-5M, R-7A, R-16.

Subdirectorate for Nuclear Operations was formed within the Twelfth Directorate Nation: USSR. As the number of ballistic missiles deployed increased, a specialised Subdirectorate for Nuclear Operations was formed within the Twelfth Directorate.

1963 May 18 - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC60. Launch Pad: LC60/8. Launch Vehicle: R-16. Model: R-16U.

Combat training launch Nation: USSR. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). References: 744.

1963 May 18 - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC60. Launch Pad: LC60/7. Launch Vehicle: R-16. Model: R-16U. FAILURE: Failure.

Combat training launch Nation: USSR. Agency: RVSN. References: 744.

1963 May 18 - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC60. Launch Pad: LC60/6. Launch Vehicle: R-16. Model: R-16U.

Combat training launch Nation: USSR. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). References: 744.

1963 May 25 - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC41. Launch Pad: LC41/15. Launch Vehicle: R-16. Model: R-16U.

Combat training launch Nation: USSR. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). References: 1181.

1963 June 1 - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC41. Launch Pad: LC41/15. Launch Vehicle: R-16. Model: R-16U. FAILURE: Failure.

Operational test launch Nation: USSR. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). References: 1181.

1963 June 15 - Launch Vehicle: R-16.

R-16 accepted into service. Nation: USSR. Decree 'On adoption into armaments of the R-16 surface variant' was issued. References: 474.

1963 June 21 - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC41. Launch Pad: LC41/15. Launch Vehicle: R-16. Model: R-16U. FAILURE: Failure.

BD operational test launch Nation: USSR. Agency: RVSN. References: 1181.

1963 June 28 - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC41. Launch Pad: LC41/15. Launch Vehicle: R-16. Model: R-16U.

Combat training launch Nation: USSR. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). References: 1181.

1963 June 30 - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC60. Launch Pad: LC60/7. Launch Vehicle: R-16. Model: R-16U.

Operational test launch Nation: USSR. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). References: 1181.

1963 July 8 - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC41. Launch Pad: LC41/15. Launch Vehicle: R-16. Model: R-16U.

Combat training launch Nation: USSR. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). References: 1181.

1963 July 9 - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC41. Launch Pad: LC41/15. Launch Vehicle: R-16. Model: R-16U.

Combat training launch Nation: USSR. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). References: 1181.

1963 July 15 - Launch Vehicle: R-12, R-14, R-16.

R-12U, R-14U, and R-16U silo-based missiles accepted into service. Nation: USSR. Decree 'On adoption into armaments of the R-12U, R-14U, and R-16U shaft versions' was issued. References: 474.

1963 July 27 - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC41. Launch Pad: LC41/15. Launch Vehicle: R-16. Model: R-16U.

Operational test launch Nation: USSR. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). References: 1181.

1963 August 13 - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC41. Launch Pad: LC41/15. Launch Vehicle: R-16. Model: R-16U.

Combat training launch Nation: USSR. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). References: 1181.

1963 August 20 - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC60. Launch Pad: LC60/8. Launch Vehicle: R-16. Model: R-16U.

Military training launch Nation: USSR. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). References: 1181.

1963 August 30 - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC41. Launch Vehicle: R-16. Model: R-16U.

Operational Test mission Nation: USSR. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). References: 1181.

1963 September 4 - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC41. Launch Vehicle: R-16. Model: R-16U.

Operational Test mission Nation: USSR. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). References: 1181.

1963 September 10 - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC41. Launch Vehicle: R-16. Model: R-16U.

Military training launch Nation: USSR. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). References: 1181.

1963 September 26 - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC41. Launch Vehicle: R-16. Model: R-16U.

Military training launch Nation: USSR. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). References: 1181.

1963 October 1 - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC41. Launch Vehicle: R-16. Model: R-16U.

Operational test launch Nation: USSR. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). References: 1181.

1963 October 22 - Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: PU11. Launch Vehicle: R-16. Model: R-16U.

Groza Test mission Nation: USSR. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). References: 1821.

1963 October 23 - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC41. Launch Vehicle: R-16. Model: R-16U.

Operational test launch Nation: USSR. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). References: 1181.

1963 November 22 - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC41. Launch Vehicle: R-16. Model: R-16U.

Operational test launch Nation: USSR. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). References: 1181.

1963 November 23 - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC41. Launch Pad: LC41/4. Launch Vehicle: R-16. Model: R-16U.

State trials flight Nation: USSR. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). References: 1181.

1963 December 12 - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC41. Launch Vehicle: R-16. Model: R-16U.

Military training launch Nation: USSR. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). References: 1181.

1963 December 20 - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC41. Launch Vehicle: R-16. Model: R-16U.

Military training launch Nation: USSR. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). References: 1181.

1964 February 2 - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC60. Launch Pad: LC60/8?. Launch Vehicle: R-16. Model: R-16U.

Military training launch Nation: USSR. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). References: 1181.

1964 February 6 - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC41. Launch Vehicle: R-16. Model: R-16U.

Operational test launch Nation: USSR. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). References: 1181.

1964 February 26 - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Vehicle: R-16. Model: R-16U. FAILURE: Failure.

State trials missile test Nation: USSR. Agency: RVSN. References: 1181.

1964 March 3 - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Vehicle: R-16. Model: R-16U.

State trials missile test Nation: USSR. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). References: 1181.

1964 March 4 - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC41. Launch Pad: LC41/4?. Launch Vehicle: R-16. Model: R-16U.

Operational test launch Nation: USSR. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). References: 1181.

1964 May 30 - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Vehicle: R-16. Model: R-16U.

Operational test launch Nation: USSR. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). References: 1181.

1964 June 7 - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC41. Launch Pad: LC41/4. Launch Vehicle: R-16. Model: R-16U.

Operational test launch Nation: USSR. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). References: 1181.

1964 July 1 - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC41. Launch Pad: LC41/4. Launch Vehicle: R-16. Model: R-16U.

Operational test launch Nation: USSR. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). References: 1181.

1964 July 21 - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC41. Launch Pad: LC41/4. Launch Vehicle: R-16. Model: R-16U.

Operational test launch Nation: USSR. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). References: 1181.

1964 July 31 - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Vehicle: R-16. Model: R-16U.

Operational test launch Nation: USSR. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). References: 1181.

1964 August 9 - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC41. Launch Pad: LC41/4. Launch Vehicle: R-16. Model: R-16U.

Operational test launch Nation: USSR. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). References: 1181.

1964 September 10 - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC41. Launch Vehicle: R-16. Model: R-16U.

Operational test launch Nation: USSR. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). References: 1181.

1964 September 25 - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC60. Launch Pad: LC60/8. Launch Vehicle: R-16. Model: R-16U.

UBP Kedr operational test launch Nation: USSR. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). Demonstration launch witnessed by Khrushchev. References: 1181.

1964 September 27 - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC41. Launch Pad: LC41/4. Launch Vehicle: R-16. Model: R-16U.

Climate Test operational test launch Nation: USSR. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). References: 1181.

1964 September 29 - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC60. Launch Pad: LC60/6. Launch Vehicle: R-16. Model: R-16U.

Operational Test mission Nation: USSR. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). References: 1181.

1964 October 11 - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC41. Launch Pad: LC41/4. Launch Vehicle: R-16. Model: R-16U.

State trials missile test Nation: USSR. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). References: 1181.

1964 October 11 - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC41. Launch Pad: LC41/4. Launch Vehicle: R-16. Model: R-16U.

State trials missile test Nation: USSR. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). References: 1181.

1964 December 18 - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC41. Launch Vehicle: R-16. Model: R-16U.

K OT? operational test launch Nation: USSR. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). References: 1181.

1964 December 26 - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC41. Launch Vehicle: R-16. Model: R-16U.

Operational test launch Nation: USSR. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). References: 1181.

1965 February 26 - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC41. Launch Vehicle: R-16. Model: R-16U.

PBG Operational Test mission Nation: USSR. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). References: 1181.

1965 March 10 - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC41. Launch Pad: LC41/4. Launch Vehicle: R-16. Model: R-16U.

Operational test launch Nation: USSR. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). References: 1181.

1965 March 30 - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC41. Launch Pad: LC41/4. Launch Vehicle: R-16. Model: R-16U.

Combat training launch Nation: USSR. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). References: 1181.

1965 April 12 - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC60. Launch Pad: LC60/6. Launch Vehicle: R-16. Model: R-16U.

Combat training launch Nation: USSR. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). References: 1181.

1965 April 26 - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC41. Launch Pad: LC41/4. Launch Vehicle: R-16. Model: R-16U.

Operational test launch Nation: USSR. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). References: 1181.

1965 April 28 - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC41. Launch Pad: LC41/4. Launch Vehicle: R-16. Model: R-16U. FAILURE: Failure.

Operational test launch Nation: USSR. Agency: RVSN. References: 1181.

1965 May 22 - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC41. Launch Vehicle: R-16. Model: R-16U.

Military training launch Nation: USSR. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). References: 1181.

1965 May 28 - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC60. Launch Pad: LC60/6. Launch Vehicle: R-16. Model: R-16U.

Military training launch Nation: USSR. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). References: 1181.

1965 June 29 - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC60. Launch Pad: LC60/7. Launch Vehicle: R-16. Model: R-16U. FAILURE: Failure.

Military training launch Nation: USSR. Agency: RVSN. References: 1181.

1965 July 21 - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC60. Launch Pad: LC60/6. Launch Vehicle: R-16. Model: R-16U.

Military training launch Nation: USSR. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). References: 1181.

1965 August 31 - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC60. Launch Pad: LC60/8?. Launch Vehicle: R-16. Model: R-16U.

Operational test launch Nation: USSR. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). References: 1181.

1965 September 18 - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC41. Launch Vehicle: R-16. Model: R-16U.

PBG Operational Test mission Nation: USSR. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). References: 1181.

1965 September 25 - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC41. Launch Vehicle: R-16. Model: R-16U.

Military training launch Nation: USSR. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). References: 1181.

1965 September 30 - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC41. Launch Pad: LC41/4?. Launch Vehicle: R-16. Model: R-16U.

PBG Operational Test mission Nation: USSR. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). References: 1181.

1965 November 4 - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC41. Launch Pad: LC41/3?. Launch Vehicle: R-16. Model: R-16U.

Operational test launch Nation: USSR. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). References: 1181.

1965 November 12 - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC41. Launch Pad: LC41/4. Launch Vehicle: R-16. Model: R-16U.

Military training launch Nation: USSR. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). References: 1181.

1965 Dec - Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Vehicle: R-16. Model: R-16U.

Verification Operational Test mission Nation: USSR. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). References: 1821.

1965 Dec - Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Vehicle: R-16. Model: R-16U.

Verification Operational Test mission Nation: USSR. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). References: 1821.

1965 December 23 - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC41. Launch Pad: LC41/4?. Launch Vehicle: R-16. Model: R-16U.

Military training launch Nation: USSR. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). References: 1181.

1965 December 25 - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC41. Launch Pad: LC41/3?. Launch Vehicle: R-16. Model: R-16U.

Military training launch Nation: USSR. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). References: 1181.

1965 December 26 - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC41. Launch Vehicle: R-16. Model: R-16U.

Military training launch Nation: USSR. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). References: 1181.

1966 - Launch Vehicle: R-5M, R-7A, R-16.

Twelfth Directorate nuclear weapons units an integrated part operational rocket field units Nation: USSR. Up to 1965 the warheads were still stored separately form Soviet ballistic missiles. This was changed so that the individual nuclear weapons units were made an integrated part of the operational rocket field units.

1966 January 31 - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC41. Launch Pad: LC41/4. Launch Vehicle: R-16. Model: R-16U.

Military training launch Nation: USSR. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). References: 1181.

1966 March 17 - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC60. Launch Pad: LC60/7. Launch Vehicle: R-16. Model: R-16U.

Military training launch Nation: USSR. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). References: 1181.

1966 March 24 - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC41. Launch Pad: LC41/4. Launch Vehicle: R-16. Model: R-16U.

Operational test launch Nation: USSR. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). References: 1181.

1966 April 12 - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC41. Launch Pad: LC41/4. Launch Vehicle: R-16. Model: R-16U.

Military training launch Nation: USSR. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). References: 1181.

1966 April 18 - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC41. Launch Pad: LC41/4. Launch Vehicle: R-16. Model: R-16U.

Military training launch Nation: USSR. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). References: 1181.

1966 April 26 - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC41. Launch Pad: LC41/4. Launch Vehicle: R-16. Model: R-16U.

Military training launch Nation: USSR. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). References: 1181.

1966 May 21 - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC41. Launch Vehicle: R-16. Model: R-16U. FAILURE: Failure.

PBG Operational Test mission Nation: USSR. Agency: RVSN. References: 1181.

1966 June 4 - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC41. Launch Pad: LC41/3?. Launch Vehicle: R-16. Model: R-16U.

Military training launch Nation: USSR. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). References: 1181.

1966 June 8 - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC41. Launch Pad: LC41/3?. Launch Vehicle: R-16. Model: R-16U.

Military training launch Nation: USSR. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). References: 1181.

1966 June 25 - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC60. Launch Pad: LC60/7?. Launch Vehicle: R-16. Model: R-16U.

Palma-1 Operational Test mission Nation: USSR. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). References: 744.

1966 June 26 - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC60. Launch Pad: LC60/7. Launch Vehicle: R-16. Model: R-16U.

Palma-1 Operational Test mission Nation: USSR. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). References: 1181.

1966 July 2 - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC60. Launch Pad: LC60/8. Launch Vehicle: R-16. Model: R-16U.

Military training launch Nation: USSR. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). References: 1181.

1966 August 9 - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC60. Launch Pad: LC60/8. Launch Vehicle: R-16. Model: R-16U.

Operational test launch Nation: USSR. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). References: 1181.

1966 August 25 - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC41. Launch Pad: LC41/3?. Launch Vehicle: R-16. Model: R-16U.

Military training launch Nation: USSR. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). References: 1181.

1966 September 22 - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC41. Launch Pad: LC41/4. Launch Vehicle: R-16. Model: R-16U. FAILURE: Failure.

Military training launch Nation: USSR. Agency: RVSN. References: 1181.

1966 September 27 - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC41. Launch Pad: LC41/4. Launch Vehicle: R-16. Model: R-16U.

Military training launch Nation: USSR. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). References: 1181.

1966 October 1 - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC41. Launch Pad: LC41/4. Launch Vehicle: R-16. Model: R-16U.

Military training launch Nation: USSR. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). References: 1181.

1966 October 20 - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC60. Launch Pad: LC60/8. Launch Vehicle: R-16. Model: R-16U.

Palma-2 Operational Test mission Nation: USSR. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). References: 1191.

1966 October 22 - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC60. Launch Pad: LC60/6. Launch Vehicle: R-16. Model: R-16U.

Palma-2 Operational Test mission Nation: USSR. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). References: 1181.

1966 October 28 - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC41. Launch Pad: LC41/4. Launch Vehicle: R-16. Model: R-16U.

Combat training launch Nation: USSR. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). References: 1181.

1966 November 1 - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC41. Launch Pad: LC41/4. Launch Vehicle: R-16. Model: R-16U.

Combat training launch Nation: USSR. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). References: 1181.

1966 November 4 - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC41. Launch Vehicle: R-16. Model: R-16U.

Combat training launch Nation: USSR. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). References: 1181.

1966 November 17 - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC41. Launch Vehicle: R-16. Model: R-16U.

Combat training launch Nation: USSR. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). References: 1181.

1966 November 24 - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC41. Launch Vehicle: R-16. Model: R-16U.

Combat training launch Nation: USSR. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). References: 1181.

1966 November 26 - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC41. Launch Pad: LC41/4. Launch Vehicle: R-16. Model: R-16U.

Combat training launch Nation: USSR. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). References: 1181.

1966 December 8 - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC60. Launch Pad: LC60/7. Launch Vehicle: R-16. Model: R-16U.

Combat training launch Nation: USSR. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). References: 1181.

1966 December 9 - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC41. Launch Pad: LC41/4. Launch Vehicle: R-16. Model: R-16U.

Combat training launch Nation: USSR. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). References: 1181.

1966 December 23 - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC41. Launch Pad: LC41/4. Launch Vehicle: R-16. Model: R-16U. FAILURE: Failure.

Combat training launch Nation: USSR. Agency: RVSN. References: 1181.

1967 March 4 - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC41. Launch Pad: LC41/3?. Launch Vehicle: R-16. Model: R-16U.

Operational missile test Nation: USSR. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). References: 1181.

1967 May 24 - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC41. Launch Vehicle: R-16. Model: R-16U.

Combat training launch Nation: USSR. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). References: 1181.

1967 July 11 - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC41. Launch Pad: LC41/4. Launch Vehicle: R-16. Model: R-16U.

Combat training launch Nation: USSR. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). References: 1181.

1967 July 15 - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC41. Launch Pad: LC41/4. Launch Vehicle: R-16. Model: R-16U. FAILURE: Failure.

Combat training launch Nation: USSR. Agency: RVSN. References: 1181.

1967 August 8 - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC41. Launch Pad: LC41/4. Launch Vehicle: R-16. Model: R-16U.

Combat training launch Nation: USSR. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). References: 1181.

1967 August 30 - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC41. Launch Pad: LC41/4. Launch Vehicle: R-16. Model: R-16U. FAILURE: Failure.

Combat training launch Nation: USSR. Agency: RVSN. References: 1181.

1967 October 2 - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC41. Launch Pad: LC41/4. Launch Vehicle: R-16. Model: R-16U.

Combat training launch Nation: USSR. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). References: 1181.

1967 October 3 - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC60. Launch Pad: LC60/7. Launch Vehicle: R-16. Model: R-16U.

Combat training launch Nation: USSR. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). References: 1181.

1967 October 9 - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC41. Launch Pad: LC41/4. Launch Vehicle: R-16. Model: R-16U.

Combat training launch Nation: USSR. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). References: 1181.

1967 October 13 - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC41. Launch Pad: LC41/4. Launch Vehicle: R-16. Model: R-16U.

Combat training launch Nation: USSR. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). References: 1181.

1967 October 26 - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC41. Launch Pad: LC41/4. Launch Vehicle: R-16. Model: R-16U.

Combat training launch Nation: USSR. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). References: 1181.

1967 December 9 - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC41. Launch Pad: LC41/4. Launch Vehicle: R-16. Model: R-16U.

Combat training launch Nation: USSR. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). References: 1181.

1967 December 12 - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC41. Launch Pad: LC41/4. Launch Vehicle: R-16. Model: R-16U. FAILURE: Failure.

Combat training launch Nation: USSR. Agency: RVSN. References: 1181.

1967 December 22 - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC41. Launch Vehicle: R-16. Model: R-16U.

Combat training launch Nation: USSR. Agency: RVSN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). References: 1181.

1967 December 27 - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC41. Launch Pad: LC41/4. Launch Vehicle: R-16. Model: R-16U. FAILURE: Failure.

Combat training launch Nation: USSR. Agency: RVSN. References: 1181.