Bulava SLBM Thread:

Mike E wrote:

TheArmenian wrote:Hold your horses.
I am not sure they are going to launch 16 missiles.

I read and re-read the quoted article:  It says it will launch a missile while having 16 on-board. Unlike previous launches that had only one missile loaded on board.

It does not mean it will launch all the missiles.

 I doubt that they would waste the money on 16 Bulavas like that, so you are most likely correct.

It turns out you are correct! It will be a launch with 16 missiles onboard.

Russian Defense Ministry confirms second Bulava launch in October

George1 wrote:Russian Defense Ministry confirms second Bulava launch in October

Good luck with this.

Aside from that, is there any plans or concept to give Bulava an "alternate role" Like say as Anti Ship Ballistic Missile or as a launcher of high precision conventional warhead.

I heard US, at some point considered their trident to carry high precision conventional warhead as a part of their Global Strike program.

Stealthflanker wrote:

George1 wrote:Russian Defense Ministry confirms second Bulava launch in October

Good luck with this.

Aside from that, is there any plans or concept to give Bulava an "alternate role" Like say as Anti Ship Ballistic Missile or as a launcher of high precision conventional warhead.

I heard US, at some point considered their trident to carry high precision conventional warhead as a part of their Global Strike program.

It is way too large to be an anti-ship BM, the Iskander would be the best candidate for such a role. As for "conventional warheads", that probably wouldn't happen becuase the launch would be reminiscent of a good ole' nuke launch, and could lead to a return nuclear strike... - Putin himself said this.

That is what Putin dismissed, sating that it *could* be mistaken for a regular ICBM.

Great News guys! Yet another succesful test of Bulava completed, and it fufilled all flight parameters:

Bulava missile launched from nuclear sub in Russia

The missile was launched from the Barents Sea towards the Kura testing range in Russia's Far East



MOSCOW, October 29. /TASS/. Strategic nuclear submarine Yuri Dolgoruky has launched a Bulava intercontinental ballistic missile from the Barents Sea towards the Kura testing range in Kamchatka, the press service of the Russian Defense Ministry told TASS on Wednesday.

"The missile was launched from the submerged position," a spokesman said. "The parameters of the flight trajectory have been fulfilled as required. Data control shows the warheads of the missile reached the Kura testing facility successfully.

Bulava missile launched from nuclear sub in Russia

Congrats to Bulava designers.

Looks like the worst is far behind us!

ICBM Bulava test-launch from nuclear submarine maximum close to normal operation

Two Launches of “Bulava” Scheduled for 2015

We're still need way moar launches until all the problem sorted out.

Stealthflanker wrote:We're still need way moar launches until all the problem sorted out.

Not really... Clearly what they've done for the past few missiles has worked, though more testing is always welcome.

Hopefully it will end successfully

Source: the final test launch of a new ICBM based on "Yarsa" hold in December

Bulava launch from Nevsky sub was successful.

zg18 wrote:Bulava launch from Nevsky sub was successful.

Just great

Bulava inter-continental ballistic missile test-launched from nuc submarine in Barents Sea

I swear they launch one every weekend... Not like that is a bad thing! 

video footage:

After lot of Time Sweat and Pain Bulava is a success

Congratulations to Engineer who worked tirelessly to make it happen

“Bulava” to launch at the Okhotsk Sea for the first time in September


The next launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile “Bulava” which is scheduled for the end of September, will be made for the first time fromthe Sea of Okhotsk on the ground “Chizh” in the Arkhangelsk region, the Interfax-Military News Agency informed, citing a source in the General Staff of the Navy
“Ballistic missile submarine K-550 “Alexander Nevsky” will perform his third launch of ” Bulava” in the last days of September,” the source said.

Russia to conduct several Bulava launches by end of 2015

The source did not mention which Borey-class submarine would conduct the upcoming launches
Bulava ballistic missile

ST. PETERSBURG, July 1. /TASS/. Russia will conduct several launches of Bulava ballistic missiles by the end of this year, a source at the Navy's general staff told TASS on Wednesday.

"Several launches are being planned by the end of the year," the source said.

He did not mention which Borey-class submarine would conduct the upcoming launches.

The Borey-class ballistic-missile submarines are to become the backbone of the Russian Navy's strategic nuclear deterrent for the next few decades. Eight such submarines are expected to be built up to 2020, and three of them have been already handed over to the Navy. The vessels will be armed with up to 16 Bulava submarine-launched ballistic missiles, which have range of over 8,000 kilometers.

The previous Bulava launch was conducted in late November 2014 from the Alexander Nevsky Borey-class submarine.

Russian nuclear sub to launch two Bulava missiles in November — source

The missiles will be launched from a submerged position from the Barents Sea towards the Kura test site in the Kamchatka Peninsula

MOSCOW, September 9. /TASS/. Russia’s Vladimir Monomakh Borei class nuclear-powered submarine will carry out a salvo launch of two Bulava intercontinental ballistic missiles, a source at the General Staff has told TASS.

"According to the existing plans, the second serially-built Borei sub, the Vladimir Monomakh, will carry out a salvo launch of two Bulava missiles in November this year. The missiles will be launched from a submerged position from the Barents Sea towards the Kura test site in the Kamchatka Peninsula," the source said.

Only two missiles will be on board the submarine at the moment.

"At the moment of the previous Bulava launch from The Yuri Dolgoruky the submarine carried the full set of sixteen missiles. The Vladimir Monomakh will not," the official said.

The Bulava missiles’ twin launch will be the last test of the new submarine before it enters duty as part of the combat-ready naval force.

"If the launches are successful, if the submarine’s equipment performs well even though missiles may have hypothetical problems in flight, the submarine will go operational. This may happen in December," the source said, adding that no more launches of Bulava were on this year’s timetable.

The Vladimir Monomakh is a third strategic nuclear-powered submarine of project 955 Borei. It was expected that the Vladimir Monomakh would make a voyage to the Pacific Fleet base in the Kamchatka Peninsula alongside its twin, The Aleksandr Nevsky. In the end only one submarine left for its destination. It is expected to be there in the second half of this month. Its first combat duty mission is due to begin in October.

Set your clocks.

September 11-15.

White sea.

artjomh wrote:Set your clocks.

September 11-15.

White sea.

artjomh, in case satellite guidance is not available to a Bulava, Topol, Trident or any other ICBM/SLBM, can they still home in on their target?

jhelb wrote:

artjomh wrote:Set your clocks.

September 11-15.

White sea.

artjomh, in case satellite guidance is not available to a Bulava, Topol, Trident or any other ICBM/SLBM, can they still home in on their target?

Of course. Ballistic missiles primarily use inertial navigation with astrocorrection. Satellites are backup.

artjomh wrote:Of course. Ballistic missiles primarily use inertial navigation with astrocorrection. Satellites are backup.

artjomh, I had 2 questions about the Bulava:

1. Why does the first 2 stage uses solid fuel and the third stage liquid fuel? In other words, why not have solid fuel for the third stage as well?

2. The CEP of the Bulava is stated to be 350m. Isn't that a bit too high?

Thank You