Russian Defense Ministry announces successful launch of Bulava intercontinental missile from Yuriy Dolgorukiy submarine
The Yuriy Dolgorukiy submarine launched a Bulava intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) from a submerged position in the Barents Sea, the Russian Defense Ministry reported. According to the Ministry, the target was located at the Kura missile testing range in Kamchatka, and the launch was made according to the combat training plan.
“According to objective control, the ICBM military components completed an entire flight program cycle and successfully hit the targets at the testing range,” the department’s report states.
The R-30 Bulava is a solid-fuel ballistic missile of the D-30 system. It is intended for submarines belonging to the 955 “Borei” project. A Bulava is capable of destroying a target at a maximum distance of up to 9,300 km. It can carry a nuclear payload of up to 150 kilotons.
Three submarines have been built as part of the Borei project: Yuriy Dolgorukiy, Alexander Nevskiy and Vladimir Monomakh. The construction of five more vessels is underway. In addition to Bulavas, Yuriy Dolgorukiy is also equipped with torpedo weaponry, and can carry cruise missiles. The submarine was launched in 2008. It can reach a submerged speed of up to 29 knots. Its submerged displacement is 24,000 tons. It is 170m long and 13.5m wide.
In September 2016, Yuriy Dolgorukiy launched two Bulava missiles, but one of them was self-eliminated in flight. According to the Ministry of Defense, this took place after the first stage of flight. The launches were made from the White Sea.
The first launch of a Bulava was made on September 27, 2005. A prototype missile was launched in 2004. Not counting the prototype, the latest launch was the 26th to date.