Russia to resume test launches of troubled Bulava missile Sept. 9-12

Topic: Bulava missile: test-launch history

Bulava missile

12:43 03/09/2010

© Сollage by RIA Novosti

Test launches of Russia's Bulava ballistic missile will resume between September 9 and 12, a defense industry source said on 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 on December 9, 2009, which was caused by a defective engine nozzle.
The source also said if the launch is successful, at least another three test launched 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.
MOSCOW, September 3 (RIA Novosti)
RIA NOVOSTI