Moscow: After a string of failures, Russia
would resume trial of its next generation multiple-warhead
naval missile 'Bulava' in June.
'Bulava (SS-NX-30)', considered as Russia's answer to US
missile shield, is a three-stage liquid and solid-propellant
submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM).
The nuclear-capable missile can carry up to 10 MIRV
warheads and has a range of over 8,000 kms. So far only five
of the total 12 launches from 'Borey' class submarines have
been officially reported as successful.
The Russian Navy is planning to conduct four launches in
June end from two nuclear submarines.
"Two Bulava launches will be carried out from the Dmitry
Donskoy nuclear submarine followed by two launches from the
Yuri Dolgoruky nuclear sub," RIA Novosti reported, quoting
senior naval sources.
The second test from the Yuri Dolgoruky will be a salvo
launch. Yuri Dolgoruky is the first of Russia's 'Borey' class
strategic nuclear submarines, which have been exclusively
designed for the 'Bulava' and is currently undergoing sea
trials.
If the tests are successful, both the submarine and the
missile could be inducted by the Russian Navy by this year
end, the sources said.
PTI
First Published: Friday, March 19, 2010, 17:52