That’s abnormal: Two interceptor tests in just a month. Usually 53T6 was tested once at year. Some “muscle flexing” perhaps?

Kolokol:

Obviously, Russia too is concerned by Iranian missile threat. It is good to be prepared! (smile)

Frank Shuler
USA

Whats abnormal about it?

this should be my third post for today and i havent seen any of it posted.

oje: It usually takes some time for me to approve comments. Then, some of them, unfortunately, get junked by a spam filter. If you don't see an important comment approved, please feel free to write to me.

On your question about what is so unusual about two tests in a row, well, this is exactly what's unusual - two tests conducted so close to each other.

Hi Pavel is the 53T6 missile interceptor still in production ?

Well i dont really see Iran as a threat to Russia, Hell they are a threat to no body, so why all the fuss about Iran, should there be clear intelligence report that Iran is indeed close to nuclear weapons production i trust the isrealis to take care of that.
Moscow has nothing to fear from washington.Americas power while unprecedentally great is not threating enough for moscow to fear an imminent invasion of any sort to justify this missile test.

Do they ever release video of the Gazelle? Seems to be the most mysterious of pretty much any ABM on either side.

> Obviously, Russia too is concerned by Iranian missile threat... (smile)

- Rather, Russia is too concerned by US ABM preparations... And needs to find an answer.

to Scott Ferrin:
Yes. Video of Gazelle has been shown many times on Russian TV channels.

I hardly doubt the answer to the American ABM in Poland will come from this short range interceptor. Answers to this should be find in the offensive side of the equation.
Respect to the second 53T6 test, may be they are updating some software/hardware, may be the first test was not so successful or may be the test is just a showing-off.
If even Pavel doesn’t have information, well we can just gamble on the true reason behind this.

Hi!
As I asked at last year's test, too : Are there any informations in the russian medias at which of the sary shagan launch sites the tests were performed?
And are there any pictures from a "Gazelle" outside it's launch container meanwhile (I know only the Ya 26 Picture which serves as memorial in Priozersk)?
Thanks in advance and greetings from bernd

The 53T6 is tested at the 35th launch site:
http://kursakov.narod.ru/priozersk.htm
Its photo or video were not published in the russian open media. Only from apart during the moment of start, like here:
http://kursakov.narod.ru/35pl.htm

to Alexander Stukalin :
Thank you very much Mr.Stukalin for your nice assistance!
I knew four possible launch sites. Two are just 10 Miles south of Priozyorsk at 45°48'48.08"N 73°33'59.75"E (sometimes referred as Launch Complex D - but this seems to be an old A-35 TestSite) and at 45°49'18.93"N 73°25'6.68"E (the nearby Launch Complex C - in some of the recent pictures the Lake is still visible in the background - so my guess is that this could be "Site 35"). And two Complexes are further west in the steppe at 46°26'11.41"N 72°53'47.00"E (Complex A) and 46° 1'30.31"N 72°28'26.73"E (Complex B).
One last Question: the website you referred show some buildings - could it be that this is Priozyorsk, or do they say something about a village next to that site?
Thanks in advance.
Greeting from bernd reuter

to bernd reuter:
If you ask about buildings on these pictures...
http://kursakov.narod.ru/priozersk.htm
..it is not Priozyorsk.
It is so-called "Ethylene" -- 35th site' small town.

to Alexander Stukalin:

Thanks again Mr.Stukalin!
Well, all I have to do is to find a map detailed enough to locate "Ethylene -- 35th site" and its distance from Priozyorsk :-) - then I have it on Google Earth...
Greetings from bernd reuter

to Alexander Stukalin:
just to end this up and to honour your nice assistance (which was a vital first step) the following to your attention:
with the help of the following article http://liter.priozersk.com/archives/28
the Google Earth community member EugeneF could identify the location of the 53T6 site "35". It is at the so called launch complex A ( 46°26'40.90"N 72°52'45.57"E). For reference see also
http://bbs.keyhole.com/ubb/showflat.php/Cat/0/Number/1056397/Main/144956#Post1056397

all the best from bernd reuter

Pavel, one question for you... Is the 53T6 rocket still in production or is this just verification and extension of service life? If it is, are you aware of any plans to eventually replace A-135 (I am not counting S-400) or it will just "quietly" cease to exist?

I don't think 53T6 is still produced. And, as far as I understand, there are no plans to replace A-135. It wouldn't make sense anyway.

to Pavel:
Short Question: Much is published about the new star of the russian missile defense, namely the S-400.
But what about the S-300VM. Is this a firm project - I mean is it about to enter the russian forces (or has this already happened) - or is it just a technological demonstrator in anticipation of some foreign contracts (e.g. China or India)? What is its status? Any informations available? Thanks in advance!
Greetings from bernd

to Pavel:
While military officials and designers speak only about modernization A-135 (including modernization of 53T6). For example here:
http://www.redstar.ru/2007/10/17_10/2_02.html
But these applications do not allow to understand what A-135's elements will be made anew.

to bernd reuter:
Some more photos of 53T6 launching:
http://vko.ru/database/images/pictures/archive/0706/118-01.jpg
http://vko.ru/DesktopModules/Articles/ArticlesView.aspx?tabID=320&ItemID=165&mid=3087&wversion=Staging

Thank you very much for the hint Mr. Stukalin!
Rare picture of "HORSE LEG" at Priozyorsk (46° 0'11.26"N 73°38'56.97"E) which is considered as prototype array for the Don-2NP "PILL BOX"!
I will "press" the article "through" a russian-german on-line translater.
Greetings from bernd reuter