The Buran (Russian: Буран, named for the Buran wind) cruise missile, designation M-40 (М-40) sometimes referred to as RSS-40, was a Soviet intercontinental cruise missile by Myasishchev capable of carrying a 3,500 kg hydrogen bomb payload. The project was canceled before flight tests began. It is unrelated to the later Buran reusable orbiter.
== Development == The project was authorized on 20 May 1954, parallel to the development of the Burya missile. The development however, began in April 1953 as a rocket-aircraft system by Myasishchev OKB with internal designation M-40. The project was canceled in November 1957, when two prototypes were just ready for flight testing, in favor of the R-7 Semyorka, since ICBMs were considered unstoppable. Like the Burya, the Buran consisted of two stages, the booster rockets designated M-41, and the cruise missile stage designated M-42.
Specifications
=== General characteristics === Function: Nuclear cruise missile Launch mass: 125000 kg Total length: 24.0 m Launch platform: Launch pad Status: Canceled before first flight tests
=== Launch vehicle (M-41) === Engine: 4× RD-213 Thrust: 4× 55 t Length: 19.1 m Diameter: 1.20 m Oxidizer: Liquid oxygen Combustible: Kerosene
=== Cruise missile (M-42) === Engine: 1× RD-020 ramjet Speed : Mach 3.1–3.2 Range: 8,500 km Flight altitude: 18–20 km Warhead: thermonuclear, 3500 kg Length: 23.3 m Diameter: 2.40 m Wing span: 11.6 m Wing area: 98 m2
=== Comparable missiles === SM-62 Snark SM-64 Navaho Burya