Several test launches of ballistic missile Bulava will be conducted in the summer of 2012, reports RIA Novosti referring to a source in Russian Navy Main HQ. All launches including a salvo one will be held under the missile commissioning program. Bulava missiles will be launched by Project 955 Borei nuclear-powered submarine Yury Dolgoruky . Meanwhile, Russian defense minister Anatoly Serdiukov earlier said that the Bulava state flight tests had been already finished.
“ Flight development tests of Bulava missile system have been successfully completed. Estimated commissioning date is October 2012 “, Serdiukov said. So far, seventeen test launches of SLBM Bulava were held; seven of them failed. The missile was supposed to join Russian Navy by the end of 2011, but delays in the trial program made the military postpone that event to later date.
Bulava will become the basic weapon of Project 955 Borei nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines; as is expected, the first sub would be put in service along with the missile. Bulava is capable to carry up to 10 hypersonic maneuverable nuclear reentry vehicles and destroy enemy assets at the range up to 8,000 km.
[mappress] Naval Today Staff , March 22, 2012; Image: ssbn