We seem to have an answer to the question that I asked a few months ago - Is Sarmat program in trouble? Yes, it is. Kommersant reports today that ejection tests of the missile have been postponed until at least the fourth quarter of 2017.
Theoretically, it is still possible that the missile will be ready by 2020 as the Rocket Forces planned. But that timeline assumed that the first missile would be delivered some time in 2015.
UPDATE 09/11/2017: The reports about the fourth quarter appear to be confirmed. Sources in the defense industry are telling the Russian press that the test may take place in October.
The book
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It's unclear to me why the focus is on ejection tests as opposed to an actual test launch, as surely Sarmat can be test launched without silo pop-up hardware. Flight testing would seem to be the more important issue and we have heard nothing on that front. Methinks heads will roll for this new delay.
At this point the question that probably matters most is how long can the existing R36M2's remain active?
Hi Pavel!
Regarding the topic of how long can the R-36M2 be still in service I have a question.
You list the Dombarovski element with 18 missiles (3 fields with 6msl each). I still have four fields. Do you know which unit was disbanded?
RGT 368 в/ч 07393 (control site 51.093069°59.847286°)
RGT 494 в/ч 39986 (control site 51.060584°60.212362°)
RGT 175 в/ч 95823 (control site 51.270189°60.301623°)
RGT 767 в/ч 21424 (control site 51.240220°60.610838°)
Cheers