The 53T6 [NATO reporting name GAZELLE] is a short-range ABM interceptor missile, which was first introduced in the mid-1980s, was designed to intercept ballistic missile reentry vehicles inside the atmosphere. The missile, which has not been displayed in public, is thought to be similar in design and mission to the US Sprint interceptor that was part of the Sentinel/Safeguard system. On 02 November 1999 Russia tested this short-range interceptor rocket for the Moscow anti-ballistic missile system, in what appeared to be a symbolic warning to the United States not to go ahead with an expanded ABM system.
Specifications |
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| Russian missile designation: | 53T6 | |||
| Russian system designation: | A-135 | |||
| DIA temporary code: | SH-08 | |||
| DIA code: | ABM-3 | |||
| NATO reporting name: | Gazelle | |||
| Designer: | Toporkov OKB (OKB-134, now Vympel NPO)(?) | |||
| Manufacturer: | Kisunko SKB (SKB-30, now NIIRP) | |||
| Development year: | ? | |||
| Deployment year: | 1984 | |||
| First seen in public: | ? | |||
| Retirement year: | Still operational | |||
| Type: | Endo-atmospheric (lower-tier) interceptor | |||
| Guidance: | Radar command | |||
| Propulsion: | Two solid-fueled stages | |||
| Range: | 80 km. | |||
| Warhead: | Nuclear (10 kt) | |||
