Details of New Russian Missile Trials Leaked Out

24.05.2012 Prototype of new Russian intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) tested on May 23, 2012 at Plesetsk Cosmodrome is a ground-based version of submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) R-30 Bulava, writes Kommersant referring to sources in rocketry engineering industry. Both missiles have similar parameters. By that test launch, the Bulava-developer Moscow Thermotechnics Institute kicked off the work to unify prospective ground- and sea-based delivery vehicles.

Launch of the new missile was held at 10.15 am (Moscow time) in Plesetsk, Arkhangelsk region. The solid-propellant missile took off from mobile launcher. The test was found successful as the mock reentry vehicle hit the target at Kura test range in Kamchatka. The previous test launch was carried out in Sept 2011 in Plesetsk and failed; delivery vehicle fell down within the spaceport's territory.

The recent test was attended by the missile's chief designer Yury Solomonov, his assistant Alexander Dorofeyev, and director of the Moscow Thermotechnics Institute Sergei Nikulin. According to Kommersant, SLBM Bulava and the tested ICBM are similar in many ways. Both have weight of about 36 tons, length of 12 meters, and three stages. The new ICBM uses same propellant as Bulava does and is capable to carry up to 10 reentry vehicles.

"The missile is based on available innovative background and technological solutions achieved when developing fifth-generation missile systems. It reduces time and costs of design works", Russian Strategic Missile Force spokesman Col Vadim Koval said on May 23. An insider in rocket-engineering industry told Interfax that the new missile used solid propellant shortening combustion time.

In Sept 2011 some sources of Russian information agencies said that a new warhead for Yars mobile missile system with RS-24 solid-propellant missiles was tested in Plesetsk Cosmodrome. It is believed that the new warhead would overcome missile defenses more effectively.