A RIA Novosti report quoted an unnamed representative of the military that the Russian Navy is planning to conduct SLBM launches in the Pacific, most likely on September 15th (although the launch window would last until September 20th). The missiles will be launched from submarines deployed in the Sea of Okhotsk and the Bering Sea.
What's interesting, the missiles will be launched to the Kura test range in Kamchatka and not to the usual Chizha test site at the Kanin Peninsula. This means that the missiles would be tested at an unusually short range (this would require a lofted trajectory) - no more than about 1500-1700 km and maybe as short as 600 km. The purpose of these tests is not entirely clear at this point (although I'm sure we'll hear obligatory references to missile defense).
Another interesting aspect about the upcoming launch is that while the report mentions submarines of the Pacific Fleet, it says that these are Project 667BDRM/Delta IV submarines even though the Pacific Fleet does not have submarines of this type. It is probably just a journalistic error, fairly common in Russia, but it could be something else - some Project 667BDRM submarines may have been moved to the Pacific. I hope we'll find out soon.
Another launch that we should expect next week is the long-awaited flight test of the Bulava missile. It's about time - the Dmitri Donskoy submarine recently returned from sea trials and presumably is ready for action. Also, I have some information that the test is indeed scheduled for some time next week.
This is going to be an interesting week to watch for Russian SLBMs. Stay tuned.
UPDATE 10/13/08: The short-range launches never happened. Apparently, there was some misunderstanding or maybe there was a change of plans. Eventually, on October 12, 2008 an R-29R missile was launched from the Sea of Okhotsk toward its usual destination at Chizha.
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Two thoughts -
1) Are there any indications that they are deploying Delta IVs on a temp basis to the Pac via the Arctic route to demonstrate sovreignity over parts of the Arctic?
2) What is the range from the Barents to the proposed anti-missile sites in Czech Republic and Poland? Could it be a demonstration that those sites aren't safe from sea based strategic assets?
3) Is the Kura test range actually being used for a Bulava test off the DD and there is some confusion in the reporting?
Or maybe its just the usual journalistic attention to detail that civilian journalists usually pay to military matters after all.
Very interesting information indeed. Let's see what happen in next few weeks!
An off-topic query: Putin allocated additional $2.6 billion for GLOSNASS program. Will it make any difference?
Much of the future of Russian naval presence in the world and their consolidation depends on the success of 'Bulava'. What are the expectations in this regard in the Russian official circles? Have the Russians found and corrected any deficiencies in the earlier designs? How come the Russians went ahead with the Borey class designs without fully ensuring the success of Bulava?
That's the usual mistake made by RIA Novosti's journalists. To launch SLBMs at a distance of 1200-1700 km is to show that Rus Pacific Fleet is able to get Japan or China. It's an open secret. Why? tease the Japanese...
Concerning of moving Delta 4. We'll be able to talk about if all Bulava tests run in proper direction and then Borey class subs put into operation. The rumours about it are circulating in mass media from time to time. Will see.
Does this mean they had/had to launch the SLBMs in depressed trajectory ?
Yes, depressed trajectory is another option.
"By contrast, a weapon launched into low orbital plane would ascend on a relatively flat, depressed trajectory, level off, and never rise more than 150 miles above Earth. It thus would not clear the radar horizon until it had almost reached its target. As Soviet planners saw it, US warning time would be reduced to as few as five minutes."
http://www.afa.org/magazine/June2005/0605fobs.asp
finally;
good news, Bulava missile successful launched.
http://en.rian.ru/russia/20080918/116942009.html
One succesful Bulava test:
http://en.rian.ru/russia/20080918/116942009.html
http://en.rian.ru/russia/20080918/116942009.html
Looks like a successful lanch of Bulava from Donskoy.
Pavel, Rian reports that Bulava test on Thursday was successful. Would you give some more lights on the test?
So when "Schroeder" starts here with FOBS: Shouldn't the R-36M be able to work as a FOBS System. As commercial launcher they can launch without modification 4.5 t into LEO. So if thez would be downloaded to 3 or 4 MIRVs the missile should be able to get them into an orbit with enough fuel left in the MIRV Bus to break them down for reentry. So I would speculate thats mainly a sowaftware issue, although I don't know if the standard MIRV can withstand the higher speeds during reentry.
Martin