Bulava (missile)

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R-30 Bulava
R-30 Bulava
Basic data
Function	SLBM
Manufacturer	MITT
Entered service	2008
General characteristics
Engine	three stage solid propellant
Launch mass	36.8 metric tons
Length	11.5 m (without warhead), 12,1 m (launch container)
Diameter	2 m (missile), 2.1 m (launch container)
Speed	hypersonic
Range	8,000 kilometers
Flying altitude	Quasiballistic
Warhead	up to 6 reentry vehicles and penetration aids ; maximum payload up to 1150 kg
Guidance	inertial, possibly with stellar sensor and/or GLONASS update
Launch platform	pr.955 submarines

The 'Bulava' (Russian: «Булава», “the mace”) is a Submarine-launched ballistic missile under development in Russia. The Moscow Institute of Thermal Technology is chiefly responsible for the missile's design.

The Bulava carries the NATO reporting name SS-NX-30 and has been assigned the GRAU index 3M30. In international treaties, the common designation RSM-56 is used.

The Bulava design is based on the SS-27 (Topol M), but is both lighter and more sophisticated. The two missiles are expected to have comparable ranges, and similar CEP and warhead configurations.

Bulava Missile variants.

According to the Russian military, the Bulava possesses advanced defense capabilities making it nearly impervious to existing missile-defense systems. Among its claimed abilities are: evasive maneuvering, mid-course countermeasures and decoys, and a warhead fully shielded against both physical and EMP damage. The Bulava is allegedly capable of surviving a nuclear blast at a minimum distance of 500 meters.

The current version of the Bulava is able to carry up to six MIRV warheads, future variants are expected to carry a maximum of ten. A full-capacity payload requires the forfeiture of all final stage countermeasures and of some shielding.

The missile completed the first stage launch-tests at the end of 2004. It was orignally scheduled for completion in late 2006, but is now not expected to enter service until 2008 at best.

The test launches conducted on September 27, 2005, and December 21, 2005, from the Dmitry Donskoi, a Typhoon class ballistic missile submarine, were successful.[1] The next two and most recent flight tests, on September 7, 2006, and October 25, 2006, ended in failures of the missile, the causes of which have not yet been revealed.

The first boats to carry the Bulava will be the forthcoming Borei-class submarines, which will be outfitted with sixteen missiles each (the first submarine of the class will have twelve launchers only). The first three boats of this class will be deployed in 2010 (total of 5 were planned for 2015 [2]). A land-based variant is also expected.