Next Bulava launch to be held on Aug 27

25.08.2011 State commission set the date of subsequent test launch of Russian submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) Bulava on Aug 27; the test will be carried out by SSBN Yury Dolgoruky, reported RIA Novosti on Aug 23 referring to a source in the commission.

Initially, that launch was supposed to be held on Aug 20, although then was postponed. According to a source in Russian defense ministry, that was related not to impossibility but to inexpediency of the launch.

"Members of the state board decided to resume launches of Bulava and conduct flight development test of the missile to maximum flight range from SSBN Yury Dolgoruky on Saturday, Aug 27", said the interviewee.

The coming launch of SLBM Bulava can become the sixteenth one (and the second in 2011); out of previous fifteen launches, eight were found successful.

According to the source, the malfunction caused by power supply failure in one of the sub's systems has been completely eliminated, and SSBN Yury Dolgoruky is ready to perform test launch at sea.

The latest Bulava test was carried out on June 28, 2011 also by SSBN Yury Dolgoruky (Project 955 Borei) and became successful. All launches prior to June 28, 2011 were held by SSBN Dmitry Donskoy (Project 941UM Akula).

R-30 Bulava (in international contracts – RSM-56, NATO classification – SS-NX-30) is newest Russian three-stage solid-propellant ballistic missile based on submarines.

The missile is capable to carry up to 6 hypersonic independently-targetable nuclear warheads with yield of 100-150 kt each maneuvering in altitude and course.

Bulava was designed by Moscow Thermotechnics Institute. Maximum range is 8,000 km, launch weight is 36.8 tons, three stages, inertial guidance system, payload is 1,150 kg, length in launch container is 12.1 meters, length without warhead is 11.5 meters.

Platforms of SLBM Bulava are redesigned SSBN Dmitry Donskoy (Project 941UM Akula) and Project 955/955U Borei submarines – SSBN Yury Dolgoruky, SSBN Alexander Nevsky, SSBN Vladimir Monomakh and others. Totally, it is planned to build eight Borei-class submarines till 2015.