On Monday Russia will carry out the last test of the Bulava ballistic missile this year – a salvo launch from the Yuri Dolgoruky strategic submarine, a high-ranking Navy source said.
“The test was initially scheduled for November 25, but was delayed due to weather conditions, and the salvo launch of two missiles will take place on November 28,” the source said.
The planned test is the fourth this year and the 18th overall. Despite several previous failures, officially blamed on manufacturing faults, the Russian military has insisted that the Bulava will be the main armament of the next generation of strategic submarines.
The Bulava (SS-NX-30) submarine-launched ballistic missile carries up to 10 MIRV warheads and has a range of over 8,000 kilometers (5,000 miles). The three-stage missile is designed for deployment on Borey-class nuclear submarines.
Russia’s first Borey class submarine, Yuri Dolgoruky, which has recently completed sea trials in the White Sea, is expected to enter service with the Russian Navy in the near future, pending the outcome of the Bulava testing.