SSBN Alexander Nevsky to Test Bulava

30.03.2012 In Oct-Nov 2012, Project 955 Borei nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN) Alexander Nevsky will conduct two launches of ballistic missile R-30 Bulava, reported RIA Novosti on March 29 referring to a spokesman for United Shipbuilding Corporation (USC).

According to him, Alexander Nevsky is supposed to complete all sea trials by the coming fall and join Russian Navy early in 2013.

First Borei-class submarine SSBN Yury Dolgoruky is to be commissioned along with SLBM Bulava in Oct 2012. According to RIA Novosti, it is not planned to launch Bulava by SSBN Yury Dolgoruky until the missile is put into service. As was earlier reported, Russian defense ministry was about to conduct several Bulava test launches by Yury Dolgoruky in the summer of 2012. State trials of the missile have been successfully finished.

Submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) R-30 Bulava may carry 6-10 hypersonic maneuverable nuclear reentry vehicles with yield of 100-150 kilotons each. Maximum flight range of SLBM Bulava is 8,000 km.

Bulava missiles will be main armament of Project 955 Borei submarines. Third and fourth subs of the project – SSBN Vladimir Monomakh and SSBN Svyatitel Nikolai – were laid down at Sevmash shipyard in 2006 and 2011. In total, defense ministry plans to buy eight Borei-class subs till 2020.