SLBM Bulava can be launched this Thursday

06.10.2010 SSBN Dmitry Donskoy sailed off to perform subsequent test launch of submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) Bulava. Provisionally, the launch will be carried out on Oct 7.

This is going to be 13th test launch of ballistic missile Bulava which is expected to become the basis of Russia's maritime nuclear force. According to Navy Commander-in-Chief ADM Vladimir Vysotsky, the missile's standard carrier Project 955 SSBN Yury Dolgoruky won’t launch Bulava until successful tests with SSBN Dmitry Donskoy.

"We're not going to launch the missile by Yury Dolgoruky without effective results with Donskoy", underlined the commander. As for him, SSBN Yury Dolgoruky will be ready to launch Bulava within 1-1.5 months.

Submarine-launched ballistic missile Bulava is designed for Project 955 Borei nuclear submarines. It is a three-stage solid-propellant missile armed with hypersonic maneuverable warheads capable to overcome existent and prospective missile defense systems. As of today, only one out of 12 test launches was found entirely successful, and four – partially successful.

It is planned to conduct three test launches of Bulava till the year is over. Two of them will be held by SSBN Dmitry Donskoy; in case of success, the third launch will be carried out by SSBN Yury Dolgoruky.