Final “Bulava” test launch
Russia plans another test launch of a “Bulava” missile December 21. If the test is successful, the Russian Navy will put the missile into service.
The newest Russian sea-based intercontinental ballistic missile “Bulava” will be launched from a Northern Fleet nuclear submarine December 21, a source in the military-industrial complex told news agency Interfax.
- This will be the final test launch. If the test is successful, the missile will be put into service by the Russian Navy, and serial production will start, the source said.
The Russian Navy has previously launched nine Bulava missiles. Four of those ended with failure. The first completely successful test launch of the missile was conducted in November.
The Bulava carries the NATO reporting name SS-NX-30. It is based on the SS-27 (Topol M), but is both lighter and more sophisticated.
The first submarine to be equipped with Bulava missiles, is Borey-class nuclear-powered sub “Yury Dolgoruky”, which is currently undergoing sea trials. It will be equipped with 16 Bulava ballistic missiles, each carrying up to 10 nuclear warheads and having a range of 8,000 kilometers. Two other Borey-class nuclear submarines, the “Alexander Nevsky” and the “Vladimir Monomakh”, are currently under construction at the Sevmash plant in Arkhangelsk.
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