On October 11, 2008 the K-114 Tula ballistic missile submarine of the Project 667BDRM class conducted a successful test launch of a R-29RM Sineva missile. The missile was launched from a submerged submarine deployed in the Barents Sea. According to the Russian Navy, the missile reached its target area in the equatorial region of the Pacific after flying 11,547 km. This was reported to be the longest range demonstrated by the missile.
This is a third Sineva launch performed by the Tula crew. The previous one took place on December 25, 2007. The current launch was part of the Stabilnost-2008 military exercise.
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in some news articles there are claims that the Sineva was a newly developed missile, but when I searched for some more background information, it turned out that Sineva was an alternative name of the R-29RM which entered service somewhere in 1986, this got me confused. Is this really a new missile? or perhaps maybe a modified/modernized version of an old one?
It's a new version of an older missile from what I understand. Some boats are equipped with the "new" Sineva, some with the old.
Sineva is new SLBM , it is capable of carrying 4 to 10 warheads and is being deployed on modernised Delta 4 , the R-29RM is older SLBM deployed on Delta 4 capable of carying 4 warheads.
It looks like Sineva is a brand new name for the R-29 series of missiles, I searched through my Jane's "handbook", and couldn't find it... How much of PR, do you think, that range record is? Thanks.
Reuters’ article stated that on October 10th, the “Tula” test fired a Sineva missile to an unprecedented Mid-Pacific equator location for the first time not using the Kura testing ground on the Kamchatka Peninsula. I wonder if this is just “saber rattling” or is there a real purpose to this test?
Also, I’m beginning to wonder about the Sineva missile program in general. If the Delta III class submarine, the “Ryzan” also carries the Sineva as reported, is the Sineva really a missile at all? Or, is the “Sineva Project” simply a re-manufacturing of the existing SS-N-23 and the SS-N-18 missiles using only Russian made components? So far only the “Tula” and the “Ryzan” have been publicly stated to carry the Sineva. It has been widely reported, even Project 667BDRM (Delta IV) boats that have been recently modernized have not been outfitted with the “new” Sineva. Any thoughts?
Frank Shuler
USA
Just off the top of my head(if I know my geography correctly) I think this missile came awfully close to east coast of the US. Even if it landed somewhere off Panama that trajectory would have been awfully close to the US. Is there a chance it impacted in the equatorial Atlantic? Again if this is correct this missile just about overflew the States.
667BDR subs (D-9R complex) are equiped with R29-R (4K75DU, 3M40, RSM-50) missiles,
667BDRM subs (D-9RM complex) are equipped wiht R-29RM (4K75RM, 3M37, RSM-54) missiles
Sineva is the R-29RMU (RSM-54) missile...
The RSM-54 (R-29RM) is an excellent slbm and clearly shows the advantages of storable liquid over solid fuel. I don't understand why Russia doesn't simply upgrade this missile and use it instead of Bulava.
There have been several additional missile launches, including a Topol from Plesetsk.
Was this missile especially prepared for the test, e.g. had only a reduced warhead package?
Is it known where the target area was in detail and were there any russian military observers in the impact range?
Martin
It's amazing how little media coverage this has generated in the United States. Russia fires an ICBM ten-million miles into the equilateral Pacific and no one here notices?
I have no conclusions to make...
Frank Shuler
USA
There is not Cold War today...