Bulava tests are scheduled in late June – Russian Navy

19.03.2010 Source: RIA Novosti, photo: SSBN Yury Dolgoruky (militaryparitet.com)

Russian Navy command planned out subsequent test cycle of SLBM Bulava in late June to be launched both by experimental submarine Dmitry Donskoy and standard carrier SSBN Yury Dolgoruky, reported Friday RIA Novosti citing top-ranking official from Navy Main HQ.

"Two launches of Bulava are planned for the end of June to be tested at SSBN Dmitry Donskoy. Then two launches will be carried out by SSBN Yury Dolgoruky; second launch is going to be the multiple one", said the admiral in interview to RIA Novosti on the occasion of Submariners' Day celebrated on March, 19.

According to the interviewee, in case of positive result the newest 4th generation nuclear submarine Yury Dolgoruky will be commissioned into Russian Navy by the end of 2010 along with her standard weapon which is SLBM Bulava.

Twelve launches of Bulava have been previously performed; only five were considered successful. All test launches were carried out by SSBN Dmitry Donskoy (Project 941UM, class Akula, on NATO classification Typhoon), specially refitted for Bulava tests.

However, standard carriers of Bulava are Yury Dolgoruky type nuclear submarines (Project 955, class Borei).

Sea-launched ballistic missile Bulava-30 (RSM-56, on NATO classification – SS-NX-30) is expected to become the basis of sea component of strategic nuclear forces. The missile is capable to carry several independently targetable nuclear warheads with yield up to 150 kilotons each. Flight range of Bulava is 8,000 km.