Second in 2010 Bulava launch to be held not earlier than Nov

15.10.2010 The second in 2010 test launch of SLBM Bulava will be held not earlier than November, reported Thursday RIA Novosti citing General of the Army Nikolai Makarov, Chief of the General Staff after session of parliamentary committee on defense affairs.

Previously speaking of the date of the next launch, defense ministry's officials said it would be performed not earlier than third decade of Oct 2010. According to plans, two test launches of SLBM Bulava are to be conducted till the current year is over.

"We need to analyze the results, but even now it is obvious that all flight parameters were normal. The next launch will be held this year, but not this month", said the general.

Thirteenth test launch of SLBM Bulava was conducted on Oct 7 and became successful. The missile was launched by SSBN Dmitry Donskoy. Thus, out of 13 test launches 6 were effective.

Russian defense minister Anatoly Serdiukov said in Sept that if the subsequent launches would be faulty for various reasons, the whole production and quality control systems would be changed.

Submarine-launched ballistic missile Bulava is supposed to become the basis of Russia's naval nuclear force and major weapon for the newest submarines already laid down.

SLBM R-30 Bulava (RSM-56 – for international contracts; SS-NX-30 – on NATO classification) is the newest Russian three-staged solid-fueled submarine-based ballistic missile.

The missile carries up to 10 hypersonic maneuverable independently targetable nuclear warheads capable to alter trajectory in altitude and course.

It is designed by Moscow Thermotechnics Institute. Maximum flight range is 8,000; control system is inertial; throw weight (payload) is 1.15 tons; length in launch barrel is 12.1 meters; length without warhead is 11.5 meters.

Bulava-carriers are upgraded Project 941UM Akula (on NATO classification – Typhoon) SSBN Dmitry Donskoy and Project 955 Borei – SSBN Yury Dolgoruky, SSBN Alexander Nevsky, and SSBN Vladimir Monomakh. Totally, it is planned to construct 8 subs of this class till 2015.