RM-48U for the S-400 Carries a 199-kg Warhead — DIU Reveals Features of Russian Missile

Russian RM-48U ballistic missiles for the S-400 air defense system carry 199-kg high-explosive fragmentation warheads.

The Defense Intelligence of Ukraine announced this, with the relevant information published on the War&Sanctions website.

These missiles can strike ground targets up to 400 km away.

The DIU also revealed the component base, the companies involved in its production, and the foreign equipment they use.

Despite its Russian origin, the RM-48U missile incorporates many foreign-made components, with 117 foreign electronic components identified in its design.

The majority came from the United States, with 95 components. Another four originated in Taiwan, three in Switzerland, two each in Germany, the Netherlands, Japan, and South Korea, and one component came from France.

Key components include the ZYNQ XC7Z010 microprocessor and FPGA, a Micron memory chip, Analog Devices and Texas Instruments analog-to-digital and digital-to-analog converters, as well as transceivers, operational amplifiers, voltage regulators, and other U.S.-made electronics.

Under Swiss marking is the M10050-KB GNSS module manufactured by u-blox, part of the Kometa-R12 satellite navigation system.

According to Ukrainian intelligence, Russia is refurbishing decommissioned surface-to-air guided missiles and target missiles from the S-400 system and upgrading them for use against ground targets.

The RM-48U is equipped with a solid-fuel motor from the 48N6DM surface-to-air guided missile used by the S-400. Its tail section comes from the 48N6E2 export missile, which is used with the S-300PMU1/2 and S-400 systems. The RM-48U’s instrument section contains components from the 9M96 and 48N6E2 missiles.

The missile has a single-stage design and follows a ballistic trajectory at a speed of Mach 4–6.

According to the DIU, the production of the RM-48U involves at least 63 Russian enterprises taking part in manufacturing the missile itself and its key components.

One of the main participants in the production chain is JSC Aerospace Defense Concern Almaz-Antey, the primary developer and manufacturer of the RM-48U. Another key enterprise is JSC VNIIR-Progress, which manufactures the Kometa-R12 satellite navigation system incorporated into the missile.

JSC Research and Production Association Poisk, named after V. I. Rdultowsky, also produces individual components. The company manufactures the 9E134 safety and arming mechanism installed in the RM-48U warhead.

Russian enterprises also produce the missile’s solid-fuel motor. The FSE Kamensky Combine supplies the 87B6 motor charge, while the FSE Plant Named After Y. M. Sverdlov manufactures components for the warhead and motor, including the 87B6 and 28A6 charges.

For more information, look into the feature article “RM-48U Missiles for the S-400 Cannot Be Launched Without Foreign Components: How Russia Depends on the West for Its New Ballistic Missiles.”