ABSTRACT
This chapter provides an overview of the technical and operational details of the strategic missiles. The types of the strategic missiles include Arospatiale MSBS M-20, SS-13 Savage, SS-24 Scalpel, Martin-Marietta LGM-25C Titan II, Lockheed UGM-73A Poseidon C3 and Lockheed UGM-96A Trident I C4. MSBS M-20 was medium-weight submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) entered service in 1977 as successor to the first-generation M-2, itself an updated M-1. SS-13 was deployed from 1969 onwards; the SS-13 is a third-generation light intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) comparable to the US Minuteman but built and deployed only in small numbers. LGM-25C Titan II was last of the USA's heavyweight liquid-propellant ICBMs to remain in service, the Titan II was introduced in 1962 as successor to the HGM-25A Titan I. UGM-96A Trident I C4 was introduced in 1979 as the primary armament of the Ohio class SSBNs and also carried in a number of converted Benjamin Franklin and Lafayette class SSBNs.
