Information About

Bulava (missile)




  Function SLBM
  Contractor MITT
  Deployment 2008
  Engine three stage Solid Propellant
  Launch Mass 368 metric tons
  Length 115 m (without warhead), 12,1 m (launch container)
  Diameter 2 m (missile), 21 m (launch container)
  Speed Hypersonic
  Range 10,000 kilometers {Link without Title}
  Flying Altitude Quasiballistic
  Warhead up to 6 Reentry Vehicle s and Penetration Aid s maximum payload up to 1150 kg
  Guidance Inertial , possibly with Stellar Sensor and/or GLONASS update
  Launch Platform Pr955 Submarines


The "''Bulava''" (, “ Mace ”) is a Submarine-launched Ballistic Missile under development in Russia . The Moscow Institute Of Thermal Technology is chiefly responsible for the missile's design.

The Bulava carries the NATO Reporting Name '''SS-NX-30''' and has been assigned the GRAU index '''3M30'''. In international treaties, the common designation '''RSM-56''' is used.

The Bulava design is based on the SS-27 (Topol M), but is both lighter and more sophisticated. The two missiles are expected to have comparable ranges, and similar CEP and Warhead configurations.

The s and a Warhead fully shielded against both physical and EMP damage. The Bulava is designed to be capable of surviving a nuclear blast at a minimum distance of 500 meters. President Putin has stated that Bulava could penetrate any future Anti-missile Defence system.

The current version of the Bulava is able to carry up to six MIRV warheads, future variants are expected to carry a maximum of ten. A full-capacity payload requires the forfeiture of all final stage Countermeasure s and of some shielding.

The missile completed the first stage launch-tests at the end of 2004. It was originally scheduled for completion in late 2006, but is now not expected to enter service until 2008.

The test launches conducted on , 2006 , October 25 , 2006 , and December 24 , 2006 , ended in failures of the missile, the causes of which have not yet been revealed. The most recent successful test of the Bulava happened on June 28 , 2007 on Russia’s pacific coast. [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/6251082.stm BBC News]..

The first boats to carry the Bulava will be the forthcoming Borei -class submarines, which will be outfitted with sixteen missiles each (the first submarine of the class will have twelve launchers only). The first three boats of this class will be deployed in 2010 (a total of 5 were planned for 2015[http://www.vedomosti.ru/newspaper/article.shtml?2006/08/07/110626 Vedomosti].). A land-based variant is also expected.

On the 28 June , 2007 , Russia successfully tested the Bulava from a nuclear submarine. The missile flew almost the whole length of the country. The missile was launched from the White Sea off Russia's north-west coast and hit its target on the Pacific Ocean Peninsula of Kamchatka [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/6251082.stm BBC News]..
On the 5 August , 2007 Russia made a decision to start serial production of the Bulava sea-launched ballistic missile.[http://en.rian.ru/russia/20070805/70378998.html RIA Novosti].


OPERATOR

  • : The Russian Navy is scheduled to be the sole operator of the Bulava.




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