Russia to start serial production of Bulava missiles

2011-07-02 02:25:49 GMT+7 (ICT)

MOSCOW (BNO NEWS) -- Russia's Defense Ministry on Friday announced that the Bulava submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) will go into serial production, RIA Novosti reported.

Defense Minister Anatoly Serdyukov made the announcement after the June 28 successful launch, the 15th attempt in the trouble Bulava missile's history and the eighth that succeeded.

"The Bulava has taken off. That's good news. We understand that in this case we can put the missile into serial production," said Minister Serdyukov during a meeting with Russian defense observers.

The Bulava, a submarine launched version of Topol-M land-based ICBMs, has suffered seven failures in its tests; the latest took place on December 9, 2009 reportedly caused by a defective engine nozzle.

However, many analysts claimed that the actual number of failed Bulava missile tests is considerably larger. Russian military expert Pavel Felgengauer previously said that of 12 test launches undertaken at that moment, only one was entirely successful.

The latest successful test was carried out on October 7. In 1998, Russia decided to develop the three-stage solid-propellant ballistic missile in order to equip its military with advanced defense capabilities making it resistant to missile-defense systems.

The Bulava (SS-NX-30) SLBM is capable of carrying up to 10 MIRV warheads and has a range of over 8,000 kilometers (5,000 miles). The Bulava's warheads are reportedly being shielded against radiation, electromagnetic interference and physical disturbance.

The three-stage ballistic missile is designed for deployment on Borey-class nuclear submarines. It is said to be capable of making evasive maneuvers during its flight and as it approaches the target, enabling it to evade terminal phase interceptors.

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2011-07-02

Perhaps the Russians will deploy the missiles when they pacify Iran?

That SALT treaty Obama negotiated is looking better all the time...for the Russians.

neither Obama nor the Russians nor anybody in his right mind believed in the obvious bullshit reasons presented by the one and only village idiot.

"The project had been close to the heart of Mr Obama's predecessor, President Bush, who had argued before leaving office in January that it was needed to defend against long-range ballistic missile attacks from rogue states such as Iran and North Korea."