Another failed test of Bulava?
There is no official confirmaiton of this, but it appears that Russia conducted a test of the Bulava missile a few days ago. The missile reportedly failed shortly after launch. If this information is correct, then Bulava is back to the unlucky days of 2006, when it failed in three tests in a row - on September 7, 2006, October 25, 2006, and December 24, 2006. One fight test that was conducted after that, on June 28, 2007, was reported to be successful (although there were some doubts about that too).
Comments
Was the solid fueled SS-N-20 Sturgeon SLBM arming the Typhoon Class (Project 941, Akula) considered a successful missile design by the Russian (Soviet) Navy? One always hears of the Typhoon's with awe but I wonder now with history to judge, was the missile design itself successful? Perhaps the solid fueled design of the Bulava is going to be hard to master? Given that, I think the problems are typical of a new missile system and will be solved in time.
Frank Shuler
USA
Was the Bulava test a confirmed news or just some rumors.
If they did tested it they would at least mention it
As an indication of the reliability of the SS-N-20, the Russians ripple launched-to-destruct an entire boatload of SS-N-20s without a failure back in 1997.
That said, I saw some sniping in the Nezavisamoe Voennoe Obozrenie from a designer from a competing design agency about how MTT is really not competent enough to work on the Bulava. We'll see.
To Austin: There was no official announcement, but the information about the test is fairly solid.
Where does this info come from,may I ask?
Why did Russians start developing "Bulava" at all? Ten years after initiating of this program it seems "Bulava" is an unfinished junk. A lot of money was spent on it unnecessary.
The better solution was and still is to acquire "Sineva" missiles in large numbers for entire Russian SSBN fleet!
Please, be patient. Bulava is the rigth long-term choice. Meanwhile Sineva will fill the gap.
Then the question comes: If they state 12-14 launches to ready the Bulava, and we have had "one" successful launch, what will this do the Borey? Will they hold off for the Bulava or fit it with the Sineva? With two awaiting commission next year, what effect will this have on that?
Why even use a new type of SLBM on the borei-class and not continue with the SS-N-23? It may be old but it works and the Delta IV are being equipt with new ones right now. The borei would have been in service for some time now if just the SLBMs would work.
I think this information is incorrect!
Because, Russian navy earlier reported that 2 more test launch of bulava missiles will be till end of 2007 and 3 more in 2008. After that first borei could enter service.
But Also navy chief reported that another 2 test launch would be done not from typhoon class submarine, but from borei yuri dolgoruki.
But first borei isn't start sea trials jet and when they start (probably) in December 2007 one of first test would be launching the bulava missiles.
No, the information about the failure is correct. But it would be interesting to see the statement about 3 launches in 2008. Do you have a link?
> But it would be interesting to see the statement about 3 launches in 2008. Do you have a link?
- Here the link where Admiral Vladimir Masorin states that testing of Bulava will be finished in 2008 'with 2 launches on maximal range'...
izvestia.ru/armia2/article3106888/index.html
This article entitled 'Bulava will strike across Hawaii'... ;-)
Ok maybe it's true, But do You have link which proves that there was a test of bulava missile. I mean probably kommersant and lenta.ru would mention that if it is ever happen.
for nedim:
Alas...
In The Kommersant newspaper already there are no people who could receive such information.
Ok, I believe You.
That really bad for russian navy.
I was just doubt in that information because for example spacewar.com or some other western military news agency didn't reported anything about that.
They always have information when something bad is happen with Russia or Chinese weapons.
But Ok maybe You are right, but I just want to ask where You get that information?
Did spacewar.com and other publish anything in 2006, after those failed tests? I'd be interested in taking a look.
I had a look in my link-collection, but I didn´t find anything on the Bulava failures at spacewar.com. I think they reported about it, but they have mostly only articles taken from RIAN, AFP and other news agencies.
Yes several times,
for example http://www.spacewar.com/reports/What_Is_Wrong_With_The_Bulava_999.html
http://www.spacewar.com/reports/Bulava_Missile_Not_Ready_For_Mass_Production_999.html
But I 100% read on ria novosti or pravda.ru that 2 more test launch in 2007 would me done from borei class rather then typhoon class submarines.
They were reporting on Russian press reports. So, if there is nothing in the Russian press, there will be nothing in spacewar.com as well.
In my view, Russia is wasting money on this program; not just the Bulava but the project 955 as well. It would be better used by building more single MARV warhead Topol-M's. The first strike "advantage" of SLBM's is not great enough to warrant the expense, especially since most strategic targets in Russia are located so far inland. Assuming a first launch by Trident SSBN's, Russia would still have more than enough time to launch all of it's ICBM's, so US "first strike" capability is a moot point. Besides, Russia needs to bolster it's SSN fleet more than it does it's SSBN fleet.
Pavel, are u planning any updaits about current status of the russian strategic forces? If I remember right, at previous years there were two updaits in a year.
The first 4 tests of Bulava were successful and accurate. So why can't they go back and just copy the same. May be they tried some modifications for reducing weight or improving the guidance system in the later disigns.
Did it ever happen that post-soviet Russia tested an ICBM but never reported the test or its results?
To reko: It happened before with Bulava - it has been increasingly harder to get any information about tests. If I remember correctly, after one failure the military fired the persons who passed the information to journalists.
To Anton: Yes, I am planning an update. There have been no dramatic changes, though.
First of all. There is no way there will be a Bulava launch from Borey this year. A missile launch is NOT one of the first thing you test on sea-trials, rather the last thing before the boat is operational. Why test it on Borey when you have a test-platform for it? And the typhoon probably has a lot more equipment for measuring data, and a trained crew.
Remember also, each launch could be a test of a specific level of missile launch/flight, it might be considered a success even if the missile doesnt reach target. The first launch was only a pop-up test for example.
And..show me information that the first 4 test were a success..
There is absoultely no proplem launching a new boat without missile ready for it. It takes year to get a sub fully operational, missile test is on of the last thing you test. This boat has a lot of new equipment the crew has to learn, it is a new class of submarine, not only a new boat. So if the Bulava missile arent ready until lets say 2-3 years that would not be a problem.