Lucifyr IV

The **SSM-7 *Lucifyr IV***, originally designated as the **XSSM-5G** and also known in *Grecken* service as the **Type 28 ballistic missile,** is a short range ballistic missile developed by the GCK using the technologies of the Osterrecht Rubicon R2 and R3 missile designs. The most advanced development of the *Lucifyr* family of ballistic missiles yet, the *Lucifyr IV*, while still relying on the technological foundations of the preceding missiles in its series, can also be fairly considered the first indigenous ballistic missile design produced by the GCK, as all previous ballistic missiles were produced under cooperation via the *Greck*-Osterrecht Technical Cooperation Treaty: the *Lucifyr IV*, in contrast, utilized the collaborative technical experience of the Rubicon R2/*Lucifyr I*, Rubicon R3/*Lucifyr II*, and Rubicon R4/*Lucifyr III* missile designs without outside technical support.

### Development

Subsequent to land and sea-based testing of the R2/*Lucifyr I* design beginning in 24AF, research and development into ballistic missiles had taken an unusual turn in the form of the R4/*Lucifyr III* ballistic cruise missile combination, which assumed design priority work in the interest of efficiency. With the GCK's proficiency in cruise missiles being their contribution to that partnership in exchange for Osterrecht's technical skills regarding liquid fueled ballistic missiles, efforts were prioritized towards introduction of that type in order to provide promised deliverables to Osterrecht. The exact technologies provided by Osterrecht in this exchange saw only limited military applications in the GCK: while a small number of *Lucifyr I* and *Lucifyr II* ballistic missiles were produced, only the *Lucifyr I* would see even limited military service, predominantly in training operating crews via Osterrecht support; the *Allkommand* in turn elected not to pursue licensed development and deployment of the *Lucifyr II* in lieu of the much longer range *Lucifyr III* design.

While the *Lucifyr III* would enter service by 28AF with the *Strategik-Deterrencekommand*, the design was not suitable for mobile deployment, and concerns were raised that the SDK's missile deterrence bases could potentially be disabled in a preemptive strike. Furthermore, the *Lucifyr III* system only had range potential to hit the majority of targets in Evonland and some degree of Eastern Nostra and Pteroslavia, and lacked range to strike targets in the near entirety of Pteroslavia or Isperia from potential missile bases. A need remained for a mobile ballistic missile system capable of addressing these issues, and development was specially authorized for the *Lucifyr IV* in 25AF. The project originally was given the designation of XSSM-5G to suggest to foreign intelligence that it was merely a development of the original *Lucifyr I* design, and would not be redesignated until its 29AF operational introduction.

### Design

Technical improvements existed in the *Lucifyr II* design which were in turn reapplied to a downsized, *Lucifyr I* scaled body. This represented a different design path than the Osterrecht engineers would pursue, where efforts turned towards larger ballistic missiles. Instead, the *Lucifyr IV* was intended to be smaller than the *Lucifyr I*, so as to facilitate its deployment aboard naval submarines. Numerous technical improvements were implemented on this new design in order to improve its performance over the preceding *Lucifyr I* SRBM that had been introduced in the *Lucifyr II* and *Lucifyr III* designs:

* The warhead separated from the rocket prior to atmospheric reentry, enhancing hull strength and increasing range.
* The propellant tank became the main load-bearing structure for the rocket, in contrast to the *Lucifyr I*'s load-bearing hull. This reduced the overall weight of the spaceframe, resulting in roughly a 10% lighter dry weight than the *Lucifyr I*.
* The *Lucifyr IV* utilized a more advanced guidance system than had been fitted to the *Lucifyr I*.
* The *Lucifyr IV* featured the improved LFRM-2 rocketmotor of the *Lucifyr II* & *Lucifyr III*, providing 20% more thrust.

Furthermore, the SSM-7/Type 28 ballistic missile replaced the stabilizing fins used previously in the *Lucifyr* series with a combination of vernier thrusters and trellised aerodynamic surfaces in order to facilitate the type's storage in a narrower silo design. This resulted in a design visually distinct from its predecessors, and while ultimately offered only moderate improved performance over the *Lucifyr I* design in a modestly narrower silo arrangement never-the-less represented a considerably more modern design.