Russia plans the first flight test of its newest intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) -- the RS-28 Sarmat -- in February or March, that is, if technical glitches and money problems don't slow it down, which it probably will.

The silo-launched RS-28 Sarmat (NATO reporting name, Satan-2) was to have undergone pop-up tests in December 2016, which it apparently didn't. This has led to speculation flight testing might not take place during the first three months of 2017 as originally planned.

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Russia did, however, reveal the first photos of Satan-2 in October following a successful first stage test in August.

In late 2016, Russia optimistically announced an initial deployment of Sarmat by 2018, two years ahead of schedule despite reports to the contrary from western sources. Western military analysts, however, said the more realistic deployment date is 2020 considering production of the missile is confirmed as behind schedule.

The Strategic Missile Troops or Strategic Rocket Forces of the Russian Federation is responsible for the Sarmat. It described this missile as a heavy ICBM being developed by the Makeyev Rocket Design Bureau.

Sarmat will have a liftoff mass of 100 metric tons, including a 10 metric ton payload consisting of nuclear warheads or decoys. It will replace the R-36 (NATO reporting name, SS-18 Satan) that Russia claims is today's most powerful ICBM in the world.

R-36 can carry up to 10 independently targetable re-entry vehicles, each having a yield of 750 kilotons

Sarmat has a far smaller liftoff mass but a greater range of flight compared to Satan. It can reach out to 17,000 kilometers compared to Satan's 11,000 km.

This longer range will allow Sarmat to attack targets along flight paths crossing the South Pole, from where they are least-expected and where no missile shields are being deployed by the United States.

Russia says each Sarmat can deploy 15 nuclear warheads, with yields ranging from 150 kilotons to 300 kilotons. It said these warheads will streak towards their targets at Mach 17 (20,000 km/h).

Sarmat can also deploy Russia's new hypersonic glide vehicle warhead, the Yu-71, which is still under development.

Some Russian analysts believe Sarmat will comprise 100% of Russia's silo-based ICBM force.

Russia has 521 operational ICBMs and submarine launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs) with 1,735 warheads while the United States has 741 ICBMs and SLBMs and 1,481 nuclear warheads.

TagsRussia, RS-28 Sarmat, SATAN 2, Strategic Missile Troops, R-36, SS-18 Satan, Yu-71