On October 28, 2011 at 7:40 MSK (03:40 UTC) Yuri Dolgorukiy, the lead submarine of the Project 955 class, successfully launched a Bulava missile. The launch was performed from a submerged submarine deployed in the White Sea to ward the Kura test site in Kamchatka.
In addition to the missile that was launched, the submarine reportedly carried a mock up of a missile in order to prepare for a salvo launch that might take place later this year. It was expected that the 2011 test program will consist of five launches. Today's launch became the third one in 2011 and fifth successful launch in a row. Previous launch took place on August 27, 2011.
UPDATE: The launch was observed in Norway at somewhat earlier time - about 3:45 UTC. The Navy representative, however, stated that the time of the launch was 8:01 MSK (4:01 UTC).
UPDATE: It appears that the launch indeed took place earlier than it was stated in the official report - at 7:40 MSK.
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It looks like this long and dramatic story might finally reach a happy end.
Feanor
Agreed, a successful day for the Russian Navy indeed. I wonder if this is a factory production missile or if the Kremlin is still using “custom built” Bulava missiles produced directly from the design bureau? In any event, Russia will get this right and as I’ve always stated, Bulava will be a "success".
Frank Shuler
USA
There are no "custom built" missiles. The design bureau only has one assembly facility at Votkinsk (in addition to component production facilities like NPO Iskra). There is no "prototype" or "experimental" workshop where designers can custom-build missiles, all production is subject to the same process flows at Votkinsk.
I believe the only difference since 2009 has been tighter supervision/QA of the production/assembly process, not a new production process per se.
artjomh
Thanks for clearing up that detail. Kommersant had posted a previous article stating the Bulava “test missiles” would not come from the existing Bulava production line but would be “custom assembled” at Votkinskbe. Increased supervision and tighter Q&A makes sense. That would suggest, the issues with Bulava have not been in design or parts manufacturing but in assembly. In any event, all this will work itself out in time.
Frank Shuler
USA
Based upon this observation, your launch time is a bit off, don't you think?
http://www.barentsobserver.com/bulava-missile-visible-from-norway.4978168-58932.html
PS 05.45 Norwegian time is 03.45 Zulu time
Abr: In the video, the Navy spokesman says the launch was at 8:01 MSK. But I agree - one should always be cautious about Russian official reports.
Hi,
wasn't there a time when Soviet design bureaus had there own small assembly facilities for the first batch of test missiles, before production started at the major plants? Did the MIT ever had such a facility?
And an historical OT question when I'm on it: Where there ever more than 2 launch pads for the R-7 ICBM (Site-1 and 31) in Baikonur? Just read a statement that in the early 1960's two of the THREE test launchers for the R-7A in Baikonur were on alert, but I never heart of a third launcher there. And is it known when the first R-7 was test fired from Plesetsk?
Cheers.
Пуск был в 7-40 мск. Два часа разницы с норвежским летним временем, так что все сходится.
Да, похоже, что так. Но, конечно, удивляет, что официальный представитель совершенно спокойно заявляет другое время пуска.
So 4.01UTC migth be the impact time then?
I think the Bulava program still has a long way to go in terms of fielding a missile with reliability that approaches the liquid fueled Sineva.
A new Bulava test launch is scheduled from 23-27 des.
V9842/11 - TEMPO RESTRICTED AREA ACT WI COORD: 7156N 05053E-7204N 05056E-7215N 05117E-7225N 05156E- 7241N 05147E-7248N 05152E-7305N 05100E-7200N 04720E- 7124N 04925E-7156N 05053E. SFC - UNL, 23 1100-1800, 23 2300-24 0500, 24 2200-25 0600, 25 2200-26 1800, 26 2200-27 1800, 23 DEC 11:00 2011 UNTIL 27 DEC 18:00 2011. CREATED: 15 DEC 10:48 2011
might they try to nuke Santa
Thank you. I hope they'll spare Santa.