23.12.2011
Text:
Photo by Northern Fleet Press Service.
"The salvo launch was performed from underwater position in the White Sea against the Kura Range in Kamchatka. The missiles flew in normal mode, all warheads impacted on the range at the designated time; that was recorded by monitoring facilities", Konashenkov said.
As for him, distinguishing feature of this test was two-missile launch performed by standard platform, i.e.
Borei-class lead submarine fourth-generation SSBN
Yury Dolgoruky.
The sub's crew headed by Capt 1 rank Vladimir Shirin held the fourth successful test launch of SLBM
Bulava in the recent half-year period. Submariners traditionally displayed excellent professional skills, stressed the defense ministry's spokesman.
Tests of submarine-launched ballistic missile
Bulava started in 2004. Eleven out of 18 test launches were found successful. Current year is the most effective; all four launches yielded desired outcome and were performed by SSBN
Yury Dolgoruky.
Prior to that, all test launches were held by SSBN
Dmitry Donskoy (Project 941UM
Akula) specially refitted for the
Bulava project.
Russian defense ministry reiterated many times that positive results of salvo launch would mean commissioning of SSN
Yury Dolgoruky along with
Bulava. In accordance with standard procedure of flight development test program for such missiles, salvo launch is determinative and finishing one.
