R-36 M has the ability to destroy the United States' LGM-30 Minuteman ICBM silos and launch control centers before they could retaliate.
The missile was first tested in 1973 but this test ended in failure. It was finally deployed in December 1975.
The initial design of the R-36M called for a single massive 12-Mt warhead to be delivered over a range of 10,600 km.
