Russia to resume tests of submarine-launched missile

Moscow, Sep 3 (IANS/RIA Novosti) Test launches of Russia’s Bulava ballistic missile will resume between Sep 9 and 12, a defence industry source said Friday.

“Everything is ready for the resumption of test launches,” the source said. “I do not think there will be any postponement this time.”

Bulava test launches were put on hold after a failed launch, from the Dmitry Donskoy nuclear submarine in the White Sea Dec 9, 2009, which was caused by a defective engine nozzle.

The source also said if the launch is successful, at least another three test launches will be conducted before the end of the year.

The Bulava (SS-NX-30), a three-stage liquid and solid-propellant submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM), has officially suffered seven failures in 12 tests.

But some analysts suggest that in reality the number of failures was considerably larger, with Russian military expert Pavel Felgenhauer suggesting that of the Bulava’s 12 test launches, only one was entirely successful.

–IANS/RIA Novosti