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Address: Turgoyakskoye shosse 1, Miass, Chelyabinsk Oblast, 456300 Russia
Telephone: (35135) 2-63-70, 2-60-47, 2-39-70
Fax: (35135) 6-61-91
E-mail:
vladimir@mmz.miass.chel.su
Russian Aerospace Agency (Rosaviakosmos)
General Director: Vladimir Grigoryevich Degtyar
Deputy Director-General Designer for Foreign Economic Contacts: Vyacheslav Andreyevich Danilkin
The Makeyev Design Bureau began its existence on 16 December 1947 as SKB-385
based in Zlatoust.
The initial purpose of the bureau was to design land-based long-range missile
systems.[1]
In June 1955 Viktor Makeyev, hitherto working in the Korolev
Design Bureau,
was designated the General Designer of SKB-385, and stayed at this post
for the next three decades. This proved to be a turning point in
SKB-385's history. SKB-385 briefly continued working on the land-based
missiles such as the R-11 [NATO designation SS-1 'Scud-B'] and R-17
[SS-1 'Scud-C'] tactical ballistic missiles, and their naval variants.
However, shortly after Makeyev's transfer, SKB-385 began to specialize
in sea-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) construction and transferred
the responsibilities for further development and production of the R-17
to the Votkinskiy Zavod. Makeyev's bureau became the Soviet Union's sole designer of SLBMs, creating
several generations of weapons that continue to arm Russian SSBNs to this day.
In 1959 SKB-385 was moved from Zlatoust to Miass, where it has
been located ever since. In 1965 SKB-385 was redesignated the Design Bureau of
Machine-Building (KBM)
under the Ministry of General Machine-Building.[2]
During
the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s Makeyev's bureau designed a wide range of
SLBMs, which equipped every Soviet SSBN class. For more information on
Makeyev's missiles, please see the Naval Nuclear
Weapons section.
In 1993 the Design Bureau of Machine-Building received its current designation of
the State Missile Center (GRTs). Its subordination changed several times from the
Ministry of Defense Industry to Ministry of Economy, until it became
subordinated to Rosaviakosmos.[3]
The 1990s proved to be a lean decade for Makeyev's bureau.
Although its workforce suffered considerably as a result of a sharp cutback in
defense orders (SLBM production stopped completely in the early 1990s), by the late
1990s this tendency appeared to have been stopped, at least temporarily. In 2000
its workforce stood at 2,200 employees, and average salary at 2,500 rubles
(approximately $90) a
month.[4] Although the Center's financial situation has improved, the Russian
government still has significant debt to Makeyev, and reportedly plans to repay
it, half with cash, the rest with obligations.[5]
The design bureau's main areas of activity are continued development of new SLBM types,
development of space launch vehicles (SLVs) using surplus SLBMs, and low-orbit and
sub-orbital commercial and research satellites. The Center has
extensive scientific, technical, and test facilities, which enable it to conduct
a wide variety of activities.[1]
Although the Makeyev bureau
remains the only Russian SLBM
design bureau (in spite of the competition now posed by MITT's
development of the Bulava), development of new SLBM types has slowed
dramatically since 1991. In spite of the collapse of the Soviet Union,
the Makeyev bureau continued to work on the Bark SLBM [SS-NX-28], which
it began developing in the 1980s as a follow-on to the R-39 [SS-N-20
'Sturgeon'] missile arming Akula-class [NATO name 'Typhoon']
submarines. However, reportedly as a result of poor test performance,
the Bark project was cancelled in 1998. The cancellation put the future
of both the Akula-class and Borey-class SSBNs under a question mark.
The R-39 missiles of the Akulas had already reached the end of their
service life, and the still-unfinished Borey prototype Yuriy Dolgorukiy would require extensive modifications to accept a different missile
type.[2]
Makeyev bureau General Director
Vladimir Degtyar blamed the Bark failures on inadequate financing and felt that the cancellation
was premature, particularly since additional missiles
were ready for tests. The system's development was reportedly 73% complete at the time of
cancellation. Instead of the Bark, in 1998 the Security Council decided to equip
the Yuriy Dolgorukiy with a new solid-fuel SLBM type, designated Bulava, a Topol-M-related
missile which was to be developed by MITT with the Makeyev bureau providing
assistance. Since this would mean the loss of his bureau's monopoly on SLBM design, Degtyar
also opposed the idea of giving MITT the responsibility for designing this
missile. Instead of the Bulava, Degtyar
favored resumed construction of an upgraded R-29RM variant called the Sineva,
with up to 10 warheads and incorporating other technologies developed for the
Bark.[3] Moreover, since the Bulava would not be ready for deployment before the end of
the decade, the military-industrial commission chaired by then-Prime Minister Putin
decided in September 1999 to renew the production of the R-29RM SLBMs. In addition to the
Makeyev bureau, the Miass and
Zlatoust Machine-Building Plants will
also be involved in the production.[2]
The
Makeyev bureau may also benefit from the January 2002 decision to
prioritize the modernization of Russia's naval strategic deterrent. This decision, and the preceding series of visits to
the bureau by a broad range of
senior Russian government officials may signal a turnaround in the bureau's fortunes,
although it remains to be seen whether the Russian government, which has
experienced considerable difficulties in funding the high-priority Topol-M ICBM
construction program, will be able to afford equally costly large-scale SLBM production.
Since all of Makeyev's
military products are strategic missiles, none have been cleared or offered
for export. However, there are reports that Makeyev specialists have rendered assistance in
modernizing North Korea's Scud missiles, and even assisted North Korea in developing
its own
longer-ranged missiles that are based on the Scud. In particular, there have
been allegations that Makeyev
specialists have assisted North Korean scientists in scaling up the Isayev 9D21
engine powering the Scud, to make it suitable for the longer-range Nodong
missile.[4]
Another major area of effort at the Makeyev center is the development of SLVs based on converted SLBMs.
Conversion SLV projects developed by
the center include Priboy (four stages, using components
of R-39 and R-29RM SLBMs), Rif-MA (four stages, based on
the R-39), Shtil-2, -3A, and -3N
(all based on the R-29RM), Volna
(based on the R-29R), and Vysota (based on
the R-29).[5] Makeyev GRTs has been involved in the Aerokosmos and Vozdushnyy Start
(Air Launch) projects, which involve launching SLV conversions
(Rif-MA, Shtil-2A, and Shtil-3A) from heavy transport aircraft, such as
the An-124 Ruslan or An-225 Mriya. The Aerokosmos project is pursued mainly by Makeyev, to
fill a Rosaviakosmos requirement, whereas Vozdushnyy Start was initiated by
the Kompomash Corporation in conjunction with the Polet aviation firm, with the Makeyev
bureau providing the SLVs.
As of early 2002, neither project has left the development stage.[6]
Its
SLV development efforts have led the Makeyev bureau to enter into
contact with a wide range of foreign firms and governments. In 1997
Makeyev, under contract from Rosaviakosmos and Daimler-Benz Aerospace
Infrastructure (DASA-RI), conducted a feasibility study for a family of
joint Russian-German lightweight SLVs. This study led to the Riksha
project, a family of two-stage lightweight SLVs.[1] In 1995 the Makeyev
center started collaborating with Australian company United Launch
Systems International (ULSI) on the design of a new SLV, subsequently
named ULV-22 Yedinstvo (Unity), designed to launch satellites into low
and medium orbits, and developing a space launch facility on
Hammock Hill Island off the coast of Australia. The project stalled due
to ULSI's inability to attract investors.[7] In 2001 the Makeyev center
announced that it completed the development of a demonstration example
of the Yedinstvo SLV.[8] The center has also delivered draft plans for
the Yedinstvo SLV and similarly named space launch complex to ULSI.
Should funding materialize, Yedinstvo will be built at the Progress
plant in Samara, part of the State Space-Missile Center SKB-Progress,
at a rate of up to 10 SLVs per year. Engines for the first stage were
developed by NPO Energomash in Khimki on the basis of engines used in
the second stage of the Zenit SLV. Other firms involved in the project
include NII Khimavtomatiki in Voronezh (second stage engines),
Nizhnyaya Salda-based NII Mashinostroyeniya (low-thrust rocket
engines), and KB Transportnogo Mashinostroyeniya.[9]
Foreign companies involved in the project included Boeing and
Motorola.[8]
Supplementing its work on SLVs, the Makeyev bureau has been active in the design of scientific satellites. In 1995
the bureau, under contract with the German space
agency DARA, used a Volna SLV to launch an experimental satellite designed by
the Center for Applied Space Technologies and Microgravity at Bremen
University. In 1998 a Russian SSBN
successfully launched two German satellites
(Tubsat-N and Tubsat-N1) using a converted SLBM.[1] The bureau also
developed the soft landing system for the Mars-96 satellite and
developed the Volan re-entry vehicle for use in scientific experiments.
To assist in its efforts to market its SLVs and satellites, Makeyev has
established a partnership with Aviaexport.[10]
Makeyev's non-military production also includes food industry equipment, aerostats,
wind turbines, oil and gas industry equipment, chemical industry equipment, rail
and light rail cars, hydraulic manipulators for demolition work, and hermetic pumps
for industrial use. The bureau also produces firefighting equipment, water
purification equipment, medicines, and automation and communications systems.[11]
Seeking to benefit from the
potentially lucrative scrap metal trade, in 1995 Makeyev, in cooperation with two
other enterprises and the Russian Precious Metals Committee (Roskomdragmet), founded the South Urals
Specialized Reclamation Center (YuUrSTsU)
for the purpose of extracting precious and non-ferrous metals from
submarines undergoing dismantlement. YuUrSTsU is headed by a
former Makeyev department head and provides employment for tens of Makeyev missile
engineers. YuUrSTsU has concluded contracts with the
Nerpa Ship Repair Plant
in Snezhnogorsk for participating in submarine elimination and with the Air
Force Main Staff to facilitate the dismantling of combat aircraft. YuUrSTsU
renders similar services to the Volga-Urals Military District, and is also interested
in expanding civilian production. In addition to providing employment to Makeyev
engineers, YuUrSTsU is a source of income for the Makeyev bureau, and helps Makeyev
procure computer equipment and other office equipment.[12]
1/19/2002: SLBM PRODUCTION TO RECEIVE PRIORITY
Nezavisimoye voyennoye obozreniye reported on 19 January
2002 that the First Deputy Chief of the General Staff, Colonel General Yuriy Baluyevskiy,
announced that the naval component of the Russian nuclear triad would
receive modernization priority, over the previously favored Strategic Rocket
Forces. This announcement may signal an increase in the state orders placed
with Makeyev.
11/30/2001: EUROPEAN
ORGANIZATIONS INTERESTED IN MAKEYEV'S ROCKETS
Aviaport.ru reported on 30
November 2001 that a group of European Space Agency (ESA)
and European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company (EADS) specialists visited
Makeyev to discuss the possibility of joint projects and using the Volna SLV to launch experimental
satellites developed by ESA.
7/20/2001: VOLNA SLV LAUNCHES SOLAR WIND TEST VEHICLE
On 20 July 2001, the Russian Kalmar-class [NATO designation 'Delta III'] ballistic
missile submarine Borisoglebsk launched a Volna SLV
designed by Makeyev. The launch took place in the Barents Sea, and the SLV carried the
Solar Sail experimental satellite designed to investigate the possibility of
using solar wind as a means of propulsion.[1] The satellite was designed and
manufactured by the Babakin Research Center, a division of the Lavochkin
Production Association, and partially funded by the US-based Planetary
Society.[2] This was the fourth Volna SLV launch.[3]
6/19/2001: SINEVA TO ARM DELTA IV-CLASS
According to a 28 June 2001 Izvestiya
article, in addition to pursuing the development of the Bulava SLBM, which
is to arm the new Borey-class [NATO name 'Delta IV'] SSBNs and replace R-39 [NATO designation
SS-N-20 'Sturgeon'] SLBMs on the
remaining Akula ['Typhoon']-class SSBNs, Russia also plans to deploy a new
variant of the R-29RM [NATO designation SS-N-23 'Skiff'], called the Sineva. The new variant carries
10 warheads and is being developed at the Makeyev State Missile Center in Miass, which proposed this missile as an alternative to the Bulava and the
failed Bark. The Izvestiya article also stated that while the Bulava's
characteristics are still unknown, it is to be a single-warhead missile,
despite the fact that MIRVed SLBMs are not prohibited by any existing arms
control treaty.
4/9/2001: NEW SATELLITE DEVELOPED
Computerra
reported on 9 April 2001 that Makeyev developed the Kompas earthquake
prediction satellite in cooperation with the Institute of Earth
Magnetism, Ionosphere, and Radio Wave Propagation of the Russian
Academy of Sciences. The first launch of a Kompas satellite is planned
for later in the year. Makeyev specialists reportedly view the
development of the satellite as the first step in a new direction of
defense conversion efforts at Makeyev, and also as a possible ticket to
enter the small satellite market.
3/17/2001: ROSAVIAKOSMOS TO SIGN CONTRACTS WITH MAKEYEV
Russian
Aerospace Agency (Rosaviakosmos) General Director Yuriy Koptev
announced on 17 March 2001 that his agency was about to sign a number
of contracts with enterprises located in Chelyabinsk Oblast, including
Makeyev. Rosaviakosmos contracts with Makeyev reportedly will entail
research and development work on missile and satellite control systems
and experimental launches of new satellites.
3/16/2001: GOVERNMENT DELEGATION
VISITS MAKEYEV CENTER
Aviaport.ru reported on 16 March 2001 that a government delegation headed by Deputy Prime Minister Ilya Klebanov,
Navy Commander in Chief Admiral Kuroyedov, and other government
officials visited Makeyev to discuss the possibility of restarting SLBM production.[1]
After the visit the Russian government promised to increase the state orders
for 2001 for the Makeyev center by $290 million. The center's leadership voiced
hope that the increased orders will enable it to increase the average salary to 3,500 rubles
and provide its most highly qualified workers with housing grants.[2]
3/13/2001: MAKEYEV COMPLETES DESIGN OF YEDINSTVO SLV
Inspacemedia.com
reported on 13 March 2001 that the Makeyev bureau announced it
completed the design of the demonstration model of the Yedinstvo space
launch vehicle (SLV). According to the bureau, the new SLV will enter
the development stage no earlier than 2002, after an agreement is
reached on financing the project with potential investors. Foreign
firms participants of the project include Boeing and Motorola.
Yedinstvo was originally ordered by the Australian company ULSI to
launch communications and ocean surveillance satellites from a future
space launch facility in Australia.
3/12/2001: AUSTRALIAN COOPERATION PROJECT IN JEOPARDY
Kommersant
reported on 12 March 2001 Makeyev's cooperation with the Australian firm
United Launch Services International (ULSI) on developing
the Yedinstvo SLV and a space launch facility on Hammock Hill
Island (off
the coast of Australia) is in jeopardy. ULSI has been unable to attract
investors willing to provide the necessary $500 million for the project.
3/19/99: MAKEYEV MAY PARTICIPATE IN AIR LAUNCH
ITAR-TASS reported on 19 March 1999 that Russian aviation firm Polet and a
number of Russian aerospace firms have initiated the Air Launch project which
would use the An-124 heavy transport aircraft to launch satellites into low
Earth orbits using specially adapted booster rockets. According to the project
promoters, this method of launching satellites would reduce launch costs,
increase the booster rocket's payload, and would not require specialized space
launch facilities. Polet is seeking to attract foreign partners to the
project. The Makeyev Design Bureau has been identified as a possible provider of
converted SLBMs for use as booster rockets in the project.
12/24/1999: SLBM PRODUCTION TO RESUME
Nezavisimoye voyennoye obozreniye
reported on 24 December 1999 that the military-industrial commission chaired by Prime Minister
Vladimir Putin
decided in September 1999 to renew the production of the R-29RM SLBMs [NATO
designation SS-N-23 'Skiff']. This decision was reportedly based on the need to
renew production of existing ICBM types while the new Bulava SLBM is under
development. In addition to Makeyev, the Miass and Zlatoust Machine-Building
Plants will also be involved in the production.
2/10/99: AUSTRALIAN SPACE COOPERATION PROPOSAL APPROVED
On 10 February 1999 Prime Minister Yevgeniy Primakov
signed a government resolution approving a Rosaviakosmos proposal for cooperation between the Makeyev center, Energomash, and
the Australian firm United Launch Services
International (ULSI) on conducting space launches from Australian territory.
The government also approved a proposal to develop the Yedinstvo (Unity) SLV
for use in Russian-Australian cooperative projects. The projects will not
violate missile technology proliferation regimes.
Page last updated 19 July 2002
Comments or questions? Contact Michael Jasinski at MIIS CNS:
Michael.Jasinski@miis.edu
 This material is produced independently for NTI
by the Center for Nonproliferation Studies at the
Monterey Institute of International Studies and
does not necessarily reflect the opinions of and has
not been independently verified by NTI or its directors, officers,
employees, agents. Copyright © 2003 by MIIS.
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