Bulava to be tested at standard carrier for the first time

25.02.2010
In 2010 test launches of SLBM Bulava for the first time will be conducted at standard carrier – SSBN Yury Dolgoruky, informs RIA Novosti referring to top-ranking source in Russian defense ministry.

Bulava launched from Yury Dolgoruky will make possible to assess fitting of the sub and the missile since both will be commissioned simultaneously. The missile will be also launched from SSBN Dmitry Donskoy which was the previous carrier. Bulava test launches will be carried out at the White Sea this summer, most probably in June, said the source.

Informational agency Interfax previously reported referring to source in military industry that in case of successful tests at least 4-5 test launches would be performed in 2010.

Twelfth test launch of SLBM Bulava failed; the missile was launched from submerged SSBN Dmitry Donskoy on Dec 9 at the White Sea. Unstable operation of third stage engine was registered during the missile flight; it deviated from required track. According to Vedomosti, reason of the latest faulty launch was manufacturing defect - breakdown of solid engine thrust control mechanism made by NPO Iskra (Perm).

Seven out of twelve Bulava launches were considered unsuccessful, one – entirely successful. As explained by the source of ITAR-TASS, failure origin is so called "floating breakdown" every time appearing at another place. According to Nezavisimaya Gazeta, all test launches of Bulava cost Russia not less than 100 bln rub.

Bulava is a submarine-based intercontinental ballistic missile. It is designed for destruction of critical strategic targets at enemy territory. Bulava missiles are planned to be based on Project 941 Akula submarines (example – Dmitry Donskoy) and Project 955 Borei (Yury Dolgoruky, Alexander Nevsky, Vladimir Monomakh). SLBM Bulava is currently under development in Moscow Thermotechnics Institute.

Presently, Bulava passes pre-commission test launches from SSBN Dmitry Donskoy. Bulava missiles production will be established at FSUE Votkinsky Zavod which produces ICBM Topol-M as well.

It is expected that Bulava will stop ageing of Russian sea-based nuclear force and even change it in degree. According to the missile's general designer Yury Solomonov, neither current and prospective US ballistic missile defense system nor being developed German, French and Japanese BMD systems would be capable to track Bulava.

CHARACTERISTICS

Number of stages: 3
Length with warhead: 12.1 meters
Length without warhead: 11.5 meters
Diameter: 2 meters
Launch weight: 36.8 tonnes
Throw-weight: 1,150
Fuel type: solid mixture
Flight range: 8,000 km
Warhead type: multiple, nuclear, jettisonable
Number of warheads: 6
Yield: 6 x 150 kiloton
Guidance: autonomous, inertial, by on-board digital computer complex

Yury Dolgoruky is a Project 955 Borei nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine, lead sub of the project.

CONSTRUCTION

The sub was laid down in 1996 at Sevmash shipyard in Severodvinsk. Formation of strength hull was completed only in 2005 due to underfinancing. The sub was launched on April 15, 2007 and was under builder's mooring trials at outfitting quay till October 2007. Nuclear reactor was started on November 21, 2008. On March 2009 mooring trials were held.

PERFORMANCE AND DIMENSIONS

Surface speed: 15 knots
Submerged speed: 29 knots
Operating depth: 400 meters
Test depth: 480 meters
Endurance: 90 days
Crew: 107 men
Surface displacement: 14,720 tons
Submerged displacement: 24,000 tons
Extreme length: 160 meters
Extreme beam: 13.5 meters
Mean draft: 10 meters

PROPULSION

190 mW water-cooled thermal reactor OK-650V; steam turbine plant with main turbogear assembly; screw shaft; supplementary water jet propulsor.

ARMAMENT