The Scarp Programme

The SS-9/Scarp missile, introduced to space work at Tyuratam in 1966, when the Soviet Union made two unmanned satellite launches, is discussed. There may be five versions of the Scarp when it is used as a weapon: Mod. 1, a 20-25 MT warhead with a mass of about 5000-7000 kg and a range of about 12,000 km; Mod. 2, which is the same as Mod. 1, but with a less powerful warhead; Mod. 3, the Fractional Orbit Bombardment System (FOBS), which could have been directed against the U.S. and cut the early warning time of a missile attack; Mod. 4, the Multiple Independently Targetable Re-entry Vehicles (MIRV's); and Mod. 5, the Killer satellite system, able to 'kill' targets at altitudes of up to about 2000 km. Scarp launch vehicle data and its orbital capacities are presented in table form. A review of the ocean surveillance flights, the ocean ferret missions, obscure missions connected with the weapons program, the FOBS missions, as well as the Killer satellite missions, is presented.