| R-25 Vulkan | |
| Origin: | Yugoslavia |
| Type: | Surface-to-air missile (SAM) |
| Is Missile: | y |
| Designer: | Obrad Vučurović at Military Technical Institute Belgrade |
| Design Date: | 1958 onwards |
| Manufacturer: | SOKO |
| Number: | 12 |
| Weight: | 1413kg (3,115lb) at launch |
| Length: | 8.1m (26.6feet) total length at launch |
| Part Length: | 5.24m (17.19feet) missile without booster rockets |
| Diameter: | 350mm |
| Primary Armament: | 100kg (200lb) warhead |
| Engine: | RM-1000B sustainer |
| Engine Power: | 11.77kN thrust - sustainer, 245.25kN thrust - boosters |
| Vehicle Range: | 30km (20miles) |
| Speed: | M2.5 |
| Guidance: | Radar initially with infra-red terminal guidance |
| Steering: | Aerodynamic |
| Propellant: | liquid fuel sustainer, solid-fuelled boosters |
| Altitude: | 20km (10miles) |
The R-25 Vulkan (Serbian: Вулкан) was a surface-to-air missile (SAM) designed by Serbian engineer Obrad Vučurović and built in the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (SFRY) in the late 1950s, early 1960s.
The mid-1950s saw the emergence of viable SAMs for the purpose of air defence. Due to their inability to import foreign SAM systems, in 1958 Yugoslavia initiated a program to develop an indigenous missile at the Belgrade Military Technical Institute.[1] Designated the R-25 Vulkan (Volcano), this completely original Yugoslavian design brought together a team of experts led by engineer Obrad Vučurović to design the missile, with the prototypes being made in the SOKO aircraft factory in Mostar.[1]
Two versions of the missile were developed: one that had a booster-rocket engine with seven rockets and a second one with four rockets. Although, initial prototypes used a liquid fuel rocket engine developed for a rocket-powered torpedo, later operational production missiles would use a solid-fueled engine with twice the thrust.[1] The development of the launcher and radar system was inspired by the Japanese Kappa meteorological sounding rocket imported into Yugoslavia.[2] The target detection and information collection system was supplied by Yugoslav-made OAR M-61 “Fruška Gora” S-Band surveillance and acquisition radar, and in-course guidance was supplied by a British No. 3 Mk. 7 aiming radar.[1] For operational use, there existed the possibility of using more sophisticated radar equipment,[1] and for terminal guidance the missile would switch to independent homing by infrared sensors in its nose cone.[1] The advanced guidance system of the R-25 was automatic after launch with no further operator input needed.[1]
The first launch of the missile was conducted in November 1962, revealing problems with the liquid-fueled sustainer rocket motor.[1] Concurrently, with the R-25 testing in 1962 the SFRY acquired S-75 Dvina (Russian: С-75; NATO reporting name: SA-2 Guideline), missile systems from the Soviet Union.[1] As such, by the end of 1964 the decision was made to abandon the Vukan project that produced a total of twelve missiles.[1] The knowledge and experience gained during this project were later incorporated into other projects for production of other armaments for the Yugoslav People's Army (JNA).[1]
A single R-25 Vulkan missile is preserved at the Museum of Aviation Museum in Belgrade; intended for in-flight testing, the warhead has been replaced by measuring and telemetry equipment.[1]
