Soviet RSD-10 Pioneer Intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM)

The project of a mobile complex with RSD-10 started in 1971. The prologue to its appearance was the aggravation of relations between the USSR and China in 1969, which threatened to escalate into a major war. Launched on September 21, 1974, flight tests of the missile from the Kapustin Yar test site were exceptionally successful. They ended on January 9, 1976 with the twenty-first start, successful - like everyone else previous - start. The “Pioneer“ was adopted in March 11, 1976 missile system. In 1981, an improved version of the missile was put into service, the zone of destruction of targets with three warheads was increased and the range of the missile was increased from 5,000 km to 5,500 km. In 1987, there were 650 missiles on combat duty and in arsenals, of which two-thirds were intended to destroy targets in Europe, the rest to destroy targets in the Asian part of the continent. In accordance with the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (1987-1988), 650 combat, 42 training, as well as