Posted on 03/20/2010 11:10:55 PM PDT by ErnstStavroBlofeld
Russia plans to carry out at least four test launches of the Bulava ballistic missile by June end, a media report said.
"Two Bulava launches will be carried out from the Dmitry Donskoy nuclear submarine, followed by two launches from the Yury Dolgoruky nuclear sub," RIA Novosti quoted a senior Navy official as saying.
"The second test on the Yury Dolgoruky will be a salvo launch," he said.
The Bulava-M (SS-NX-30) ICBM carries up to 10 nuclear warheads and has a range of 8,000 kilometers (5,000 miles). The three-stage ballistic missile is designed for deployment on Borey class Project 955 nuclear-powered submarines.
The future development of Bulava has been questioned by some lawmakers and defence industry officials following a series of test failures. Only five of 12 Bulava test launches from the Dmitry Donskoy sub have been officially reported as being successful, the report said.
(Excerpt) Read more at brahmand.com ...
Well, they need to protect themselves against an emerging nuclear-armed Communist superpower in North America, after all.../sarcasm;)
What, they’re so broke they have to arm themselves with cheesy Costco watches now?... I’ll take the square one with the diamond instead of a 12....
We’ll see. The 5 out of 12 figure is not real encouraging. If one of the two single shots fails, the salvo won’t be attempted.
The Russians are considering these launches as their last chance for the program to proceed to be put into service or ro be scrapped. But the odds are against the Russian Navy.
Russian military yet to identify causes of Bulava missile’s woes
The Russian military is still working to establish the reasons for the misfiring of the troubled Bulava ballistic missile, Defense Minister Anatoly Serdyukov said on Friday.
The Bulava submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) has officially suffered seven failures in 12 tests. Some analysts suggest that in reality the number of failures was considerably larger, with Russian military expert Pavel Felgenhauer contending that of the Bulava’s 12 test launches, only one was entirely successful.
“So far the Bulava tests have not been very successful, but we are looking for the causes [of the failures] and working to rectify them, and we will definitely bring this work to conclusion,” Serdyukov said.
He also said the Sineva strategic missile would remain in service with the Armed Forces for the next several years.
On Thursday, Russia successfully test-launched a Sineva intercontinental ballistic missile from a submarine in the Barents Sea.
The RSM-54 Sineva (NATO designation SS-N-23 Skiff) is a liquid-propellant submarine-launched ballistic missile designed for Delta IV-class submarines that can carry up to 16 missiles each.
The Sineva, which is already in service, is seen as a rival to the troubled Bulava, which has been specifically designed for the new Borey-class submarines, but whose future development has been called into question by some lawmakers and defense industry officials over a string of failed tests.
However, the Russian military has insisted that there is no alternative to the Bulava and pledged to continue testing the missile until it is ready to be put into service with the Navy.
http://en.rian.ru/russia/20100305/158107604.html
Sure sounds like it. That article is from March 5th and says they are still looking for answers. Things don’t change much in two weeks in an ICBM development. Except that if another failure occurs they probably won’t shoot anyone.
This program is history. The Russians has lost the technical edge.Too many of their scientists have gone to countries like Iran,North Korea,Libya and Pakistan where they are treated better.
The flight profile of the missile did not make the development any easier. The corkscrew maneuvers are very difficult to do when accelerating in a stage I or stage II burn without impacting accuracy rather significantly.
You are correct.I agree with you.
The Bulava makes pretty sunsets & nothern lights displays when they self-destruct. Ask any Norwegian.
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