Russian defense ministry: SLBM Bulava has been launched successfully

29.10.2010 Subsequent 14th test of submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) Bulava turned out to be successful; all warheads of the missile launched from the White Sea had reached Kura Range, (Kamchatka) at the stated time, reported RIA Novosti referring to defense ministry's press-service.

SLBM Bulava is expected to become the core of Russia's naval nuclear forces.

"On October, 29 at 5.10 am (Moscow time) SSBN Dmitry Donskoy under command of Capt 1 rank Oleg Tsybin conducted successful test launch of the newest ballistic missile Bulava from the White Sea. The launch was held from underwater position under the framework of the missile's state flight development tests program", said the interviewee.

"All trajectory parameters were normal; warheads were delivered to assigned area of Kura Range, Kamchatka", he said.

Therefore, fourteen test launches of SLBM Bulava have been held in total; seven of them were found successful. Next to the last launch conducted on Oct 7 was also effective.

As reported by deputy defense minister Vladimir Popovkin, Bulava will be commissioned if the missile's reliability factor becomes nearly 100 per cent. He underlined that the missile's reliability is determined not only by test launches but the whole range of experimental works. As for him, it is impossible to specify exact number of the missile's launches to be held in 2010.

R-30 Bulava (in international contracts – RSM-56; on NATO classification – SS-NX-30) is a three-staged solid-fueled ballistic missile. It carries 6-10 hypersonic maneuvering independently-targetable nuclear warheads capable to change flight trajectory in altitude and course. It has low-altitude flight profile.