On December 17, 2007, the Russian Navy performed a successful test launch of a R-29RM Sineva/SS-N-23 sea-launched ballistic missile. The missile was launched from a submerged submarine K-114 Tula of the Project 667BDRM/Delta IV class deployed at Barents Sea. The Navy reported that the warheads successfully reached their targets at the Kura test site in Kamchatka.
Previous launch of the R-29RM missile took place on September 9, 2006. The Sineva version of the missile was officially accepted for service in July 2007.
UPDATE 02/04/08: According to a report of the Makeyev Design Bureau, this was not a Sineva modification of the R-29RM. Rather, it was an old R-29RM missile, which was produced 18 years ago.
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Comments
Pavel,
I may be mistaken here, but this test may not be about Sineva after all.
Makeyev Design Bureau website says that it was an 18-year old RSM-54 missile with a service life set to expire on 25 December 2007. Here is the link.
I understand that the press is referring to the missile used in this test launch as Sineva, but I would guess that people at КБМ know better.
What do you think?
Sincerely,
Vitaly
Vitaly: Thank you. I updated the entry. It shows, by the way, that "old" and "new" R-29RM are perfectly interchangeable.
Pavel: Indeed. This is why I thought it was important to point this out. Can this also indicate that the overhaul Delta IV submarines are undergoing one by one at the moment has nothing to do with making them able to carry Sineva? V.
I agree. However, my assumption was that production and deployment of new missiles is part of the overhaul.