Next Bulava launch postponed
The next test launch of Russia’s troubled new submarine-launched ballistic missile Bulava is postponed from June until autumn, says Minister of Defense Anatoly Serdyukov.
The reason for the delay is the need for a more thorough control with the assembly of the missile to identify possible technical faults, Serdyukov said according to Izvestia.ru.
- The problem with the unsuccessful launches is connected with the assembly technology, Serdyukov says. - We cannot see any other disfunctions.
Read also: Failed Russian missile visible over Northern Norway
Earlier this month, Commander of the Russian Navy Admiral Vladimir Vystosky claimed that the navy has taken full control over the production of the Bulava missile. The Bulava missiles have become a headache and money-drain for Russian authorities. Of 12 test launches, only five are considered successful.
It has earlier been said that the test launches this summer should be conducted from two submarines – the modified Typhoon class submarine “Dmitry Donskoy”, from which all previous missile tests have been launched, and the new Borey class fourth generation strategic submarine “Yury Dolgoruky”. This will in case be the first time a missile is being fired from “Yury Dolgoruky”.
Read also: Background on Bulava missile tests
