53T6

The 53T6 (NATO reporting name: ABM-3 Gazelle, previously SH-08) is a USSR anti-ballistic missile. Designed in 1978 and in service since 1995, it is a component of the A-135 anti-ballistic missile system.

The missile is able to intercept incoming re-entry vehicles at a distance of 80 km. The 53T6 is a two-stage solid-propellant rocket armed with a 10 kt thermonuclear weapon. (note: This is a neutron bomb that partially fissions the radioactive materials in the RV and prevents detonation of the hydrogen explosive. A neutron bomb is an enhanced fission implosion trigger that encounters a neutron emitter and is not correctly described as thermonuclear while the incoming hydrogen bomb it disables is a thermonuclear weapon.) The missile is about 10 meters in length and 1.8 meters in diameter. Its launch weight is 10 tons.

The 53T6 missile is kept in a silo-based launch container. Prior to launch its cover is blown off.

The missile achieves speeds of approximately 17 Mach. The engine has enormous thrust, enabling acceleration from rest to Mach 16 within 3-4 seconds. Maximal load manoeuvre capability is 210 g longitudinal and 90 g transverse.

Radar support
The Gazelle missile system is supported by the Don-2N Pill Box radar.

Related US missiles

 * Nike Zeus
 * Sprint (missile)
 * Spartan (missile)

Treaties

 * Strategic Arms Limitation Talks
 * Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty