Posted on 11/04/2009 4:35:21 PM PST by sonofstrangelove
Russian defense officials announced that the failed Bulava ballistic missile test last July, was due to a defect in the first stage steering system. This was fixed, and another test will take place before the end of the month. So far, the Bulava has been test fired eleven times. Only one of those tests was an unqualified success, and six were absolute failures. But the Russian government insists that development will continue, and succeed. The inept development of the new Bulava SLBM (Sea Launched Ballistic Missile) for the new Boeri class SSBN (nuclear submarine carrying SLBMs) has become a growing scandal within the Russian defense bureaucracy. A few months ago, the developers of the Bulava were told that they had until the end of the year to make the missile work. Otherwise, the project would be cancelled, heads would roll (OK, people would be fired) and the older R-29RM Sineva SLBM would replace the Bulava. It's already been suggested that the 40 ton R-29RM be used in the new Borei SSBNs. Sineva is the last liquid fuel Russian SLBM in service, and is used in the current Delta class SSBNs.
Apparently the accountants caught wind of this and told the bosses how much such a switch would cost (we're talking several billion dollars, at least). So now, the final decision (for the moment) is that Bulava will be made to work, no matter what it takes. Moreover, an investigative committee determined that most of the problems have been due to sloppy manufacturing. It was suggested that construction of the Bulavas be moved to another factory. This also proved to be financially, and technically, impossible. Several senior development officials have already been fired.
(Excerpt) Read more at strategypage.com ...
May it fare the fate of the K-129 Golf-III; self destruction on launch attempt.
They should get a Bulova. Time flies, Bulova soars.
Ain’t it pretty much the same with most Russki Mil equipment?!
Good old government run programs for ya. Healthcare any one?
There is a possibility that Russia is faking the failures and will allow one or two tests to actually work. This is to throw off arms control experts and allow the Russians to create the Bulva outside of treaty restrictions. Smart isn’t it!
I think the current treaty allows the Russians to deploy the Bulava if they decide to do so. There's no need for any deception.
The new treaty as proposed doesn’t. And it makes us continue to underestimate the Russians. If they want one of these to fly correctly, it will.
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