Any follow up information on the modernization of the “Dmitri Donskoy”? Was the work related to Bulava or just general support work on the ol' Typhoon-Class (Project 941) boat?

Frank Shuler
USA

Pavel, how many (more) tests are required for Bulava to become operational?

This is certainly good news from Russia and a good feeling for the Russian navy which has put all hopes on the Borey class submarines. However as is said 'One swallow does not make a summer'. They need to watch for consecutive successes and reliability before celebrating. Any fundmental changes made in its design - can anyone throw some light?

Finally. Though there have to be additional tests. Are there any news on additional launches scheduled?

An article posted in RIA Novosti yesterday, quoted an “unnamed senior Navy official” that both the "Yury Dolgoruky" and the Bulava missile system would be operational in 2009. I’m generally skeptical of “unnamed sources” but it is generally thought here the issues surrounding the Bulava were more manufacturing and quality control than missile design. Declaring the system “operational” in 2009 is a distinct possibility but I wouldn’t look for a deterrent patrol until later. Just my opinion.

Frank Shuler
USA

Pavel,

Why do the land based MIRVed Topol M's have 3 to 6 warheads (as per my knowledge) in place of the 10 that are supposed to be in 'Bulava' the submarine launched version? Why is the strategy different for the two?

According of "Kommersant" newspaper:
// Tests of a rocket were successful, but not up to the end

The newspaper «Коммерсантъ» № 170/П (3987) from 9/22/2008
Representatives of Ministry of Defence have confirmed successful start-up of the newest sea ballistic missile "Bulava" from underwater position from a board of a nuclear submarine "Dmitry Donskoj" which as informed "Ъ", has been carried out on Thursday. However, apparently, start-up can be considered only partially successful: in the end of flight there was no division of fighting blocks. Term of delivery of a head submarine of the project "Борей" for which the rocket is intended, moves.

As has told "Ъ" a source in Ministry of Defence, "Dmitry Donskoj" has returned on Беломорскую naval base to Friday in the morning. As he said, the same day since eleven mornings the state commission estimating results of start-up, " on the preliminary data sat, the first, second and third missile stage have fulfilled in a regular mode ". According to the interlocutor "Ъ", during last start-up in November, 2007 a rocket самоликвидировалась on 23-rd second because of refusal of the first step. " During preparation of the next, eighth start-up the reason of refusal of the first step has been eliminated ", — it has emphasized. As has informed on Friday of Ministry of Defence, on Thursday at 19.05 Moscow time (after start-up at 18.45) educational blocks of a rocket have reached the purpose " in area of a fighting field " range the Hen.

Thus the deputy minister of defense general-colonel Vladimir Popovkin has declared on Friday "Interfax", that in Ministry of Defence " are quite satisfied by a taken place test rocket firing " Булава " from underwater position in area of range the Hen ". Mister Popovkin has noted, that flight has passed in a regular mode. " The full telemetering information on start-up also weed rockets to me yet did not give ", — the general has recognized. The assistant to the commander-in-chief of the Navy Igor Dygalo did not begin to make comments "Ъ" on a situation with "Bulava".
At the same time, as has explained "Ъ" a source familiar with a course of tests, it is possible to consider start-up only partially successful. " The rocket has passed an active site of a trajectory without failures, has got in preset area, the head part was separated regularly, but the step of cultivation of fighting blocks could not provide their branch ", — it has told. That is in fighting conditions the rocket would not execute the primary goal: the divided head part is arranged so, that its warheads in this case would not work.

"Bulava" — the ballistic missile of sea basing intended for arms of nuclear submarines of the project 955 "Borey". The rocket is developed by the Moscow institute heating engineers, the complex is as much as possible unified with a ground rocket complex of strategic purpose "Ещзщд".

From eight start-up "Bulava", not including two бросковых in 2003-2004, only four have been recognized successful. Last of them was start-up on June, 28th, 2007. In December, 2006 the chapter Roskosmos Anatoly Perminov (its department is responsible for development of space-rocket technics for needs of Ministry of Defence) declared, that for operational development of a complex 12-14 starts is required. The state commission has taken advantage of "Ещзщд" after nine successful test start-up which were spent from December, 1994 till April, 2000.

The head submarine of the project 955 "Jury Dolgoruky" on April, 15th the last year has been deduced on "Sevmash" from shop in dock. Then in Ministry of Defence "Ъ" have declared, that " the task in view in 2008 to hand over " Jury Dolgorukogo "together with"Bulava " ". In July of this year Vladimir Vysotsky any more has not named exact date a central board of the Navy, having declared, that in structure of fleet "Jury Dolgoruky" will be entered "in the near future". According to "Ъ", this year factory trial runs of the ship, which probability of carrying out, however, while too in doubt are planned only.

http://www.kommersant.ru/doc.aspx?DocsID=1029799

http://www.lenta.ru/news/2008/09/22/bulava/

can someone translate this correctly from Russian.
Is it true that missile fail again, even they said that it was successful.

According to
http://www.kommersant.ru/doc.aspx?DocsID=1029799
last test was "partly successfull": the warheads were not separated.