Bulava mishaps come from technological problems – Solomonov

13.04.2010 Faulty launches of SLBM Bulava can be explained by a variety of reasons – substandard materials, violations of production technology, or improper quality control, says Yury Solomonov, chief designer of the missile.

"The problem may have two reasons: constructive and production-technological. I can state authoritatively that none of design elements was changed during test process. All problems emerge at the joints of chain "design-technology-production", said Mr. Solomonov in Tuesday interview to Izvestia.

"In one case they use defective materials, in second – there is no necessary equipment eliminating human factor at the stage of production, in third – quality control is improper. At the same time it would be unfair to lay burden of responsibility only on production and technological "shoulders", designers are involved as well", explained Solomonov.

In his view, however, one should realize that none designer even working 24 hours a day could replace a functioning system.

Solomonov connects misfortune of Bulava with technological problems at the stage of production.

Submarine-launched ballistic missile Bulava-30 is supposed to become the basis of naval component of Russia's strategic nuclear force; new submarines meant to become Bulava carriers have been already laid down. Nevertheless, only 5 out of 12 test launches are considered successful.

"Specific character of Soviet and especially Russian industry lies in insufficient technological facilities and, consequently, huge portion of "handwork". To a large extend, this disadvantage was compensated by Soviet institution of acceptance boards which significance can't be overestimated. Unfortunately, current trends in Russia systematically leads to degeneration; all claims to military leaders and even prime minister are useless", said the chief designer.

Production technology of some high-quality materials essential for missilery and aircraft engineering has been lost, pointed out Solomonov.

"In aircraft industry they use the same materials as we do. Perhaps, missilery use higher grade materials due to extreme operational conditions. But the past is dead. Those materials are history. Aviation doesn't have them either", said the chief designer.

"We commercially produce Topol-M and Bulava lacking about 50 components in the country. We convulsively look for surrogates, but to introduce them, the whole range of trials is required. Including bench-scale firing trials for engines. It's about money. And money is not appropriated", pointed out Solomonov.

The designer did not compare Bulava to existing SLBM Sineva which, in the interviewer's opinion, has greater flight range and combat load.

"Professional comparative analysis of capabilities is classified information. I can only say that if one considers methodology of 80's, that's right. But if we place ourselves in modern conditions when absolutely different standards of comparison are in use, we'll see these are incommensurable missiles and missile systems", he said.

According to him, it is not so simple with missile flights either.

"You'd rather recall Sineva breakdowns at the exercises in 2008 and 2009 under auspices of the President. This information is simply suppressed or garbled. But what is done by night appears by day", remarked the designer.