The R-12 super missile with a warhead capable of destroying millions of tons of TNT was the cause of the missile crisis between the Soviet Union and the United States in 1963.
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The Soviet R-12 missile was given the strange NATO designation SS-4 Sandal, even though this nuclear missile had absolutely nothing to do with sandals. |
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Four nozzles at the tail of the R-12 missile. This super missile began to be deployed in the Soviet army from March 1955, and was retired in 1993. |
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The weakness of this type of missile is its short range, only about 2,080 m, and its use of liquid fuel. The nuclear warhead mounted on the R-12 is similar in size to today's intercontinental ballistic missile warheads. |
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The Soviet Union once used warships to transport R-12 to Cuba, which is considered the cause of the Cuban missile crisis in 1962. The confrontation between the two nuclear superpowers, the US and the Soviet Union, almost led the world into World War 3. Fortunately, the Soviet Union later withdrew these missiles, defuse the crisis. |
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The R-12 carries a nuclear warhead with a destructive power equivalent to 2.3 million tons of TNT. When placed in former Eastern Europe, this type of missile put great pressure on Europe because of its destructive power. |
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R-12 ground-based launcher system. This missile can be launched from a ground-based launcher or a launcher. |
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R-12 missile launch system. |
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R-12 internal design with many wires and connecting pipes. |
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This archive photo shows Soviet Red Army missile troops inspecting the R-12. |
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R-12 missile warhead. |
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Each R-12 missile warhead requires two trucks to transport. |
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Once at the missile site, the two parts of the warhead will be reassembled. |
According to VNE