Northern Fleet carried out training launch of SLBM Sineva

28.04.2011 Combat training launch of submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) RSM-54 Sineva was held on Apr 27 in the Barents Sea, reported a spokesman for Russian defense ministry.

The launch was carried out by Northern Fleet (NF) nuclear-powered submarine Yekaterinburg against a target at Kura Range, Kamchatka.

The sub's crew headed by Capt 1 rank Igor Stepanenko displayed complete professionalism during the training mission. The missile modules were delivered to the range at the designated time.

According to the official, the launch was performed under "reliability testing program of naval strategic nuclear force.

Previous training launch of SLBM Sineva was conducted late in Oct 2010 by nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine Bryansk in the Barents Sea.

Reference

RSM-54 Sineva is a 3rd generation intercontinental tree-stage ballistic missile designed by Makeyev Missile Center to be used by D-9RMU2 systems installed in strategic submarines. Missile mass is 40.3 tons; warhead mass is 2.8 tons; length is 14.8 meters; diameter is 1.9 meters; flight range exceeds 10,000 km. As of weight-to-power ratio, Sineva is considered the worldwide leader. The missile was commissioned in 2007.