Rocket R-5M became the first domestic strategic rocket carrying a nuclear charge that gave start to the development of the Soviet nuclear-rocket protection shield.
The R-5M rocket is the successful successor of the German long-range rocket A-4. The rocket was used also as sounding rockets "W5-A", "W5-W" and "Vertikal".
The R-5 missile started at Korolev's OKB-1. Active phase of the R-5 development fell on 1952. A single-stage missile was designed as a 20-meter tall cylinder instead of cigar-like shape common for previous A-4-derived vehicles. For the first time, both fuel and oxidizer tanks welded of light aluminum and magnesium alloys were made as monocoque structures yielding great weight savings. The riveting was used for the assembly of the tail section made of dural and aluminum.
The tail section also carried short triangular fins with wind rudders instead of bulky A-4-derived stabilizers of the R-1 and 2. Still, resemblance to the A-4 has been retained in the propulsion unit.
The R-5M was powered by a single A-4-derived engine, developed in OKB-456 in Khimki under designation RD-103M. It used a 92-percent mix of alcohol with water as a fuel and liquid oxygen as an oxidizer and yielded trust of 43.85 tons. Comparing with the A-4 engine, RD-103M featured a number of improvements including better cooling system for the combustion chamber and introduction of automated trust control. Solid catalizator was used for decay of hydrogen peroxide in the gas generator, which provided hot gas to drive the turbopump on the propellant line. The centrifugal pump was used to drive the hydrogen peroxide into the gas generator. Elastic fuel lines were also used for the first time.
The R-5M flight control system included aerodynamic and gas rudders, which prevented the rocket from rolling about its main axis. After the engine cutoff, the stabilization would be still maintained using the oxygen gas which during the active flight served for pressurization of the oxidizer tank. To achieve this, the pressurization gas was directed into the system of nozzles placed in the conical section, connecting the warhead with the rest of the rocket body.
Weighing 28,570 kg at launch, the R-5M was able to reach a 1,200-km distance becoming first "strategic" missile in the Soviet arsenal.

The R-5M was exported as weapon to China and was here named DF-2 and DF-2A.
Development of a nuclear warhead that could be delivered by the missile began in 1964. In late 1966, a series of flight tests using the DF-2 missile integrated with a dummy warhead were carried out to test the reliability of the warhead design. On 27 October 1966, a specially modified Dongfeng 2A missile carrying a nuclear warhead successfully detonated in the Lop Nor nuclear test site.

 Soviet R-5M missile

 Chinese DF-2 and DF-2A missile