| Country: |
Russian Federation |
| Alternate Name: |
Bulava |
| Class: |
SLBM |
| Basing: |
Submarine launched |
| Length: |
12.1 m |
| Diameter: |
2.0 m |
| Launch Weight: |
36800 kg |
| Payload: |
75-150kT (MIRV) or 500kT |
| Warhead: |
4 to 6 MIRV |
| Propulsion: |
3-stage solid |
| Range: |
8300 km |
| Status: |
Development |
Details
Russian Designation: Bulava 30
The Russian SS-NX-30, or Bulava 30, is an intercontinental-range, submarine-launched, solid-propellant ballistic missile. Alongside the SS-27 and the RS-24, both land-based ICBMs, the Bulava represents the future of the Russian missile arsenal.
Though early reports suggested design similarities between the SS-27 and the Bulava missiles, later reports have indicated major design differences. The Bulava missile seems to be a considerably smaller missile, though it may borrow significant technologies from the SS-27. The Bulava missile is 12.1 m in length, has a diameter of 2.0 m, and weighs 36,800 kg. An alternative report suggests that the missile has a length of 13.4 m, a diameter of 1.98 m, and a launch weight of 39,000 kg.(1)
The missile is expected to carry between 4 and 6 MIRV warheads to a maximum distance of 8,300 km. Some reports have suggested that the missile will carry 10 MIRV warheads, but this arrangement seems unlikely. Each MIRV will probably carry a nuclear warhead with a yield between 75 and 150 kT.(2) An alternative version may carry a single RV with a 500 kT nuclear yield. In recent years, both the United States and Russia seem to have begun moving away from MIRV design, so it is likely that Russia will favor the single-RV, 500 kT version. Both versions are expected to carry decoys and all RVs are probably capable of in-flight maneuverability and re-targeting. The missile has certainly been designed to evade current ABM defenses, though, like all known ballistic missiles, it is still very vulnerable in the boost phase. Given the missile’s capabilities, the most appropriate defense system probably includes both European land-based defense systems and space-based systems.
The RVs have an expected accuracy around 250 to 300 m CEP.(1) If equipped with a 500 kT warhead, the missile would be an effective first-strike or counterstrike weapon, as it would be capable of destroying hardened targets (like missile silos). Given the size and payload of both the single-RV and the MIRV versions, the missile would obviously be capable of a substantial attack on soft-targets as well, thus making the missile an effective deterrent weapon.
Given the Bulava missile’s basing and range, the missile can be used against any target. Submarines also provide a unique advantage against counterstrikes, as they are difficult to find and target. The Bulava will be fitted to the Borey Class (Yuri Dolgoruky) Type 955 submarines with 12 missiles to a submarine. Currently, one Type 955 submarine has been completed and declared operational. The second submarine has been built and testing began in December 2010.(3) Up to eight Type 955 submarines are expected before production ends, though problems with the Bulava missile have slowed production of the Type 955 submarines. The missile was initially tested from a converted Type 941 submarine.(1)
As of December 2010, the Bulava missile had been tested 14 times. Among these tests, eight were failures. Because of the problems with testing, Russian engineers have been forced to push back the operational date of the missile and reconsider production methods. The two most recent launches on October 7 and 30, 2010, were both successful. Prior to the October 2010 launches, the missile was successfully tested in September 2005, December 2005, June 2007, and November 2008. Tests in September 2006, October 2006, December 2006, November 2007, September 2008, December 2008, July 2009, and December 2009 all ended in failure.(4)
Presumably, as long as the recent successes are indicative of the overall program, the missile will soon enter service aboard the new Type 955 submarines.
Footnotes
1.
Jane’s Strategic Weapons Systems, Issue 50, ed. Duncan Lennox, (Surrey: Jane’s Information Group, January 2009) 119.
2. Pavel Podvig, “How Many Warheads?” from Russianforces.org, 17 May 2007, available at
http://russianforces.org/blog/2007/05/how_many_warheads.shtml, accessed on 13 December 2010.
3. Pavel Podvig, “Weather Keeps Aleksandr Nevskiy Submarine in Dock,” from Russianforces.org, 2 December 2010, available at http://russianforces.org/blog/2010/11/weather_keeps_aleksandr_nevski.shtml, accessed on 13 December 2010.
4. Pavel Podvig, “Bulava: Bulava Missile Test History,” from Russianforces.org, 29 October 2010, available at http://russianforces.org/navy/slbms/bulava.shtml, accessed on 13 December 2010.
Russian Bulava Missile Fails Again
December 23, 2008 :: RIA-Novosti :: News
Russia's new Bulava submarine-launched ballistic missile has failed yet another test, in an attempted launch today. The missile was fired from the Dmitry Donskoi strategic nuclear submarine from the White Sea, off Russia's northwest coast. The missile was intended to travel to the Kura firing ground in Russia's far east missile range on Kamchatka peninsula. After the missile's first stage separated, the missile went off course, and so was destroyed in mid-flight. (Article, Link)
» More stories on: Russia, Testing - Foreign
» Missile details: SS-NX-30
Bulava Missile Development Continues
March 3, 2008 :: RussianForces.org :: News
Pavel Podvig of RussianForces.org reports that during the meeting of the Military-Industrial Commission (VPK) during the last week in February, the commission agreed to continue the Bulava missile defense program. However, neither the Bulava (SS-NX-30) missile nor the Yuri Dolgorukiy "Project 955" submarine will be deployed this year, as previously expected by Yuri Solomonov. The year 2012 may be the newest date for the deployment of the Bulava. (Article, Link)
» More stories on: Russia
» Missile details: SS-NX-30
Russia Test Fires SLBMs from North Pole, Pacific
September 11, 2006 :: Itar-Tass :: News
On Saturday, September 9, Russia successfully test fired a SS-N-23 (R-29RM) submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) from a K-84 nuclear-powered submarine deployed under ice at the North Pole. According to Russian Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov, all three warheads hit their targets at a testing range in the Arkhangesk region on the Barents Sea. The test marked the first time in 11 years that Russia test-fired a submarine-borne missile from underwater at the North Pole. The SS-N-23 has a range of 8,300 km and can carry up to four multiple independently targetable reentry vehicle (MIRV) warheads each equipped with a 100 kiloton nuclear yield.
Ivanov added that another submarine, the K-433 Sv. Georgiy Pobedonosets deployed in the Pacific Ocean, test-fired a SS-N-18 (R-29R) SLBM on Sunday, September 10, and that two of its test warheads hit the targeted range. The SS-N-18 has a range of 6,500 km and can carry 7 to 10 MIRV warheads each with a 100 kiloton nuclear yield, although it is unclear how many warheads the test missile carried. Ivanov referred to the tests as part of “serious exercises of the sea-based strategic nuclear forces.” (Article, Link)
» More stories on: Russia, Testing - Foreign
» Missile details: SS-NX-30, SS-X-14
Russia Tests RSM-50 (SS-N-18) SLBM; Second Test in Four Days
September 30, 2005 :: Itar-Tass :: News
Russia today conducted a test launch of a submarine-launched ballistic missile from the St. George the Victorious nuclear submarine. The missile was launched from the Sea of Okhotsk and the warheads traveled to their targets at the Chizh range near the White Sea.
The Sea of Ohtotsk is in the Pacific Ocean, near the far eastern Kamchatka Peninsula. The targets are said to have traveled to cape Kanin Nos, on the island of Kanin. The White Sea is in the far north, almost directly due north of Moscow.
“The RSM-50 submarine-based missile was launched from submerged position from a depth of about 30 meters,” a Defense Ministry source is quoted by Itar Tass as saying, adding that “This is the first launch of an inter-continental ballistic missile by Russia’s Pacific Fleet this year. The previous missile launch from the same submarine was carried out on November 2, 2004.”
The St. George is identified by the Moscow News as a Delta-III-class submarine equipped to carry 16 R-29R nuclear-tipped missiles. The missile fired today, however, was identified as an RS-50, both of which designations refer to versions of the SS-N-18 SLBM.
The test follows upon the September 27 test of Russia’s new submarine-launched SS-NX-30, or Bulava, missile. (Article, Link)
» Sep. 30, 2005: Moscow News on SLBM launch
» Itar Tass on missile test
» More stories on: Russia, Testing - Foreign
» Missile details: SS-N-20, SS-N-23, SS-NX-30
Russia to Deploy S-400 Missile Defenses
January 28, 2005 :: Itar-Tass :: News
Russian news agencies have widely reported that Russia will begun to upgrade its missile defenses in 2005, as expected, replacing older systems with the newer and widely touted S-400 interceptors. Interfax and Itar-Tass quoted deputy defense minister Belousov as saying that the military would purchase six S-400 systems this year, but did not specify the price, or where they would be deployed. Russia has previously indicated that the S-400 may be offered for export.
RIA Novosti notes that, in addition, Russia’s navy will add two new strategic nuclear submarines, the Yury Dolgoruky and the Dmitry Donskoy, each armed with Russia’s most advanced submarine launched ballistic missile, the Bulava SS-N-30. Belousov added that, “Allegations that all our technology is outdated do not hold water. The performance of our technology is not inferior to that in any other industrialized country.” Other systems to be added in 2005 include a battalion of new T-90 tanks, two TU-160 strategic bombers, and a host of other systems. (Article, Link)
» Defense News description of Russia’s 2005 acquisitions
» RIA Novosti on Belousov report
» More stories on: Russia, Russian Missile Defenses
» Missile details: SS-NX-30
» Missile system details for: S-400 (SA-20 Triumf)
Putin: Russia to Develop New Strategic Missile
November 17, 2004 :: AP :: News
President Vladimir Putin noted today, in a speech to the Russian military leadership, that Russia has been developing a new form of strategic weapon. Putin has affirmed Russia’s intention to do so on a number of occasions. Previous reports have suggested that the new weapon may consist of a hypersonic cruise missile or a hypersonic warhead for an existing missile, either of which could evade U.S. ballistic missile defenses. The United States yesterday tested the X-43 hypersonic system, reaching a new speed record of ten times the speed of sound.
Although Putin’s speech today added few details, it is nevertheless notable. Putin said that Russia “is not only conducting research and successfully testing new nuclear-missile systems. I am sure that … they will be put in service within the next few years and, what is more, they will be developments of the kind that other nuclear powers do not and will not have,” according to ITAR-Tass, Russia’s state news agency.
Of particular interest is Putin’s understanding that strategic forces and concern with terrorism go hand in hand, rather than being in competition with each other. “International terrorism is one of the major threats for Russia. We understand as soon as we ignore such components of our defense as a nuclear and missile shield, other threats may occur.” By contrast, some missile defense opponents in America depreciate missile defense as a distraction from the war on terror, when both are essential to American national security. (More »»»)
» CNN on Putin speech
» Update: Nov. 18: Experts say Putin remark refer to Bulava
» More stories on: Russia
» Missile details: SS-27, SS-NX-30, SS-26
Solomonov Urges Funding for New Missiles, Pledges Completion of Topol-M Tests
November 1, 2004 :: Interfax :: News
Yury Solomonov, head of the Moscow-based Heat Technology Institute—an organization known for its specialization of designing missiles to overcome missile defenses—recently called on the Russian government to fully fund the up-and-coming advanced submarine-based ballistic missile, the SS-N-30 or Bulava, and its land-based equivalent, the Topol-M. The former has yet to be test launched; the latter has undergone a number of tests, and a number of the Topol-Ms are already deployed. It is believed that the two missiles will together form the mainstay of Russia’s military arsenal for the coming decades, replacing older missiles based on land and sea.
Solomonov also commented that production of the Topol-Ms had temporarily twice come to a halt in the past year due to insufficient funding.
On October 29 Solomonov pledged that the tests of the Topol-M would be completed this year, with perhaps another launch in December. Four Topol-Ms are also scheduled to be deployed in December 2004, and another ten in 2005-2006. (Link)
» Nov. 1: Interfax: Solomonov urges Bulava funding
» Nov. 1: Moscow Times: Topol M production twice came to stop
» Oct. 29: Interfax: Topol M testing to be completed in 2004
» More stories on: Russia
» Missile details: SS-27, SS-NX-30
Analysis: History of Bulava SS-N-30
October 11, 2004 :: Analysis
Viktor Litovkin, described as a military analyst with Ria Novosti, writes on the status of Russia’s newest ICBM, the SS-N-X-30, or Bulava (“Mace”). Litovkin notes the genesis of the Bulava in the 1990s, and the building of a new type of nuclear submarine to accommodate it. Future submarines will be armed with the Bulava, which Litovkin notes is, for all intents and purposes, now ready to go. The recent underwater test of the missile on September 23 marks “a significant event for Russia’s Navy and military-industrial sector,” according to Litovkin. (More »»»)
» More stories on: Analysis
» Missile details: SS-NX-30
Russia to Purchase Four New ICBMs in 2005
October 1, 2004 :: Xinhua :: News
Russian Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov reported today that Russian plans to purchase an additional four ICBMs in the coming year to maintain “parity” and the Russian national interest. The Chinese Xinhau news agency quotes Ivanov as saying that with respect to the new missiles, “The number of nuclear warheads is not important.”
The identity of the missiles which will be added to Russia’s Strategic Rocket Forces in 2005 was not given, but it is likely a reference to either the land-launched SS-27 (Topol-M) or its sea-launched counterpart, the SS-N-30 Bulava). (Article, Link)
» More stories on: Russia
» Missile details: SS-27, SS-NX-30
Russia Tests Bulava (SS-N-30) Sea-Launched Missile
September 23, 2004 :: News
As expected, Russia today test launched its new Bulava submarine launched intercontinental ballistic missile, according to the Interfax news agency. A Russian nuclear submarine, the Dmitry Donskoy, fired the Bulava missile from the White Sea.
The test coincides with Russia’s launch of two Kosmos military satellites today, as reported by Itar-Tass, which are used to monitor ballistic missile launches.
Interfax initially reported that the missile traveled to its intended target successfully. Another report said the test consisted of only a “pop-up,” a test of the release mechanism which ejects the missile from the submarine, and involved no actual firing of the missile’s engine.
Update: The latter report is confirmed by another report by Interfax, which quoted Russian Defense Minister Sergey Ivanov:
The Bulava system was tested under water last week, Ivanov said. “The tests were successful,” he said. The minister said they used a real-size mock-up of the missile for tests. It was fired from the submerged Dmitriy Donskoy submarine. “The mock-up was delivered to a height where the cruise engine starts working,” Ivanov said. The tests showed that the missile system could be fired from submerged submarines, the minister said.
(Article, Link)
» Sep. 23, 2004: Defense News on Russian satellite launches
» More stories on: Russia, Testing - Foreign
» Missile details: SS-NX-30
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| Total Records: 14 |
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