This file is no longer being updated.  For major recent developments, see the General Nuclear Weapons Developments file.

To return to the main SSBN entry, see the Strategic Naval Deterrent Overview file.
For information on the destruction of SLBMs via launching them, and on space-launch use of SLBMs, see the SSBN Developments Archive. 
For information on submarine and missile types, see the Soviet/Russian SLBM Tables.

3/22/2004: QUESTIONS REMAIN AS CAUSES OF FAILED SLBM LAUNCHES IDENTIFIED
Izvestiya reported on 22 March 2004 that an intergovernmental commission formed to investigate the failed launch of three SLBMs during the Security 2004 command and staff training exercise concluded that mechanical, rather than human, error was at fault.[1] The commission, headed by the deputy head of the General Staff Colonel General Aleksandr Rukshin, was formed by a joint decision of the Ministry of Defense, the Shipbuilding Agency, and the Aerospace Agency on direct orders from President Putin. It was tasked with examining the reasons for the failed launches from the Delfin-class [NATO Name Delta-IV] ballistic missile submarines Novomoskovsk and Kareliya on 17-18 February 2004.[2] Regarding the Novomoskovsk, the commission determined that a malfunction in the ADK-3M Shlyuz portion of the Tobol-M navigation system triggered a chain reaction that prevented the SSBN from launching its RSM-54 [NATO designation SS-N-23 'Skiff'] Sineva SLBM at the designated target in the Kura testing ground on the Kamchatka Peninsula. The commission also concluded that the failed launch from the Kareliya, in which the SLBM self-destructed less than two minutes into flight, evidently resulted from a glitch in the command system developed by NPO Avtomatiki in Yekaterinburg.[1,2] However, Commander-in-Chief of the Navy Admiral Vladimir Kuroyedov later announced that the Kareliya mishap stemmed from the use of a SLBM that had exceeded its recommended service life by almost 10 years.[3] An article in Moskovskiy komsomolets confirmed that the SLBM launched from the Kareliya was produced in 1987, but it also alleged that it came from a batch of missiles that the military knew to be defective. Given that the individual SLBM also reportedly had a spotty service record, the article questioned the possible motives for using this particular missile, especially in the wake of the failed launches from the Novomoskovsk the preceding day.[4] This and other press reports also suggested that human error played a role in the failed launches.[4,5,6,7] In particular, two officers on the Novomoskovsk who were responsible for entering targeting data into the SLBM reportedly admitted that they either inputted the wrong coordinates into the missile or neglected to notice that the computer system had corrupted the data.[4] Admiral Kuroyedov, however, steadfastly refused to acknowledge the possibility that human error at least contributed to the circumstances that led to the failed launches.[4,5] However, on 17 March 2004 the Novomoskovsk launched two Sineva SLBMs from its position in the Barents Sea. The test, witnessed personally by Admiral Kuroyedov, took place at the express request of President Putin who wished to confirm that the Navy had addressed the causes for the failed launches during the Security 2004 exercise. The 17 March launch ultimately proved successful, although it occurred after an unexplained four-hour delay that once again raised speculation about the state of the naval leg of the strategic nuclear triad.[4,8,9]
Sources:
[1] Dmitriy Litovkin, "Moryaki-severomortsy zagladili konfuz," Izvestiya online edition, http://izvestia.ru/army/article45570, 22 March 2004.
[2] Ivan Safronov, "Genshtab vypolnil nepoletnoye zadaniye," Kommersant, No. 042, 10 March 2004; in Integrum Techno, http://www.integrum.com.
[3] Aleksandr Konovalov, "Veroyatnost uspeshnykh puskov morskikh strategicheskikh raket RSM-54 sostavlyayet tolko 95 protsentov, schitayet Glavkom VMF RF," ITAR-TASS, 23 March 2004; in Integrum Techno, http://www.integrum.com.
[4] Olga Bozhyeva, "Oshibka na oshibke," Moskovskiy komsomolets, No. 23525, 19 March 2004; in Integrum Techno, http://www.integrum.com.
[5] "Za dvukh bitykh," Grani.Ru, 16 March 2004; in Integrum Techno, http://www.integrum.com.
[6] Viktor Semenov, "Perestrelka," Russkiy kuryer, No. 55, 18 March 2004; in Integrum Techno, http://www.integrum.com.
[7] Aleksandr Babakin, Igor Plugatarev, "'Perestrel' za 2,000,000,000 rubley," Nezavisimaya gazeta online edition, http://ng.ru/politics/2004-03-03/1_army.html, 3 March 2004.
[8] "Golovnyye chasti rakety 'Sineva', zapushchennoy s atomnoy podlodki 'Novomoskovsk', uspeshno porazili tseli na poligone," ITAR-TASS, 17 March 2004; in Integrum Techno, http://www.integrum.com.
[9] Ivan Safronov, "Severnyy flot proshel pereekzamenovku," Kommersant, No. 048, 18 March 2004; in Integrum Techno, http://www.integrum.com. {Entered 4/26/2004 EMC}

2/17/2004: FAILED SLBM LAUNCHES DURING SECURITY-2004 EXERCISES
During the Security 2004 command and staff training exercises held from late January to 17 February 2004, Russian forces were scheduled to launch several SLBMs.  President Putin observed the attempted launches from the Akula-class [NATO name 'Typhoon] SSBN Arkhangelsk. The Delfin-class [NATO Name Delta-IV] SSBN Novomoskovsk was supposed to launch an SS-N-23 (RSM-54 or RM-29RMU) SLBM toward the Kura test range in Kamchatka. Two attempted launches from the Novomoskovsk failed, as did a launch the day after the official end of the Security 2004 exercises from the Kareliya.

Immediately following the first failure, a flurry of reports made contradictory claims: there was an explosion, the missile fell into the water, the launch was blocked by a satellite, etc. Commander-in-Chief of the Navy Admiral Vladimir Kuroyedov quickly declared that no "physical" launch should have taken place at all: the launch was supposed to be a simulation.[1] Not a single commentator believed that announcement, however. It eventually became clear that between the third and fourth minutes of the launch sequence the targeting system of the submarine failed and the electronic system blocked the launch.[2,3] Apparently Capt. Sergey Radchuk, the commanding officer of the Novomoskovsk, attempted to launch a second SLBM, but also without success. The sequence of events is somewhat murky as originally only one SLBM launch had been announced, but subsequently all news media reported the failure of two SLBM launches from that submarine. Some reports suggested that the second missile failed to completely exit the tube and became stuck.[4]

The day after the Novomoskovsk's failed launches, another submarine of the same class, Kareliya, made a fresh attempt to launch an SLBM of the same type. At first, the flight was normal, but after 98 seconds (at the time of the separation of the first stage) the missile began to deviate from its trajectory, which immediately activated the self-destruction mechanism.[5,6] This launch was attempted after Putin had already left the Northern Fleet and flew to the Plesetsk test range to watch the launch of land-based missiles.

Four commissions were established to investigate the accidents -- one for each submarine, one at the Makeyev design bureau where the SS-N-23 SLBM was developed, and one at the Krasnoyarsk Machine-Building Plant where the missiles were produced.[6] Sources in the navy blamed faulty missiles while representatives of the production plant declared that it was too early to speculate.[6] First Deputy Chief of the General Staff Colonel General Yuriy Baluyevskiy, at a press conference at the end of the exercises, announced that there had been no decision to withdraw the SS-N-23s from service and said that these missiles are considered among "the most reliable." Out of 36 launches in the 1990s this was only the second failure.[7,8]

The exact circumstances of the failure are still unclear in spite of dozens of reports. Only the second failed launch, from Kareliya, can be confidently attributed to the missile. According to one report, that missile was still under warranty.[9] The failure of the Novomoskovsk launches, judging from conflicting descriptions, could be attributed to the submarine, the missiles, or both. One unconfirmed report attributed the failed launch to a mistake by the crew (the majority of reports, however, emphasized that the crew made no mistakes) and to inadequate repairs at the shipyard in 2003.[9] It is even unclear which missiles were launched:  the general assumption has been that these were RS-54s, which entered service in the mid-1980s. Their service lives have already expired, but were extended, as is the standard practice now in Russia. There is at least one report, however, that the failed missiles were the 1999 modification of the SS-N-23 called Sineva.[3] The new version carries 10 warheads instead of four and has a new navigational system.

For more information on Security-2004, see "Military Exercises In Russia: Naval Deterrence Failures Compensated By Strategic Rocket Success," http://cns.miis.edu/pubs/week/040224.htm.
Sources:
[1] "Glavkom VMF: Stsenarii uchenii predusmatrival tolko uslovnyy pusk raket," Strana.Ru, http://www.strana.ru, 17 February 2004.
[2] Dmitriy Litovkin, "Ballisticheskiye rakety Putina ne porazili," Izvestiya, 18 February 2004.
[3] Vadim Solovev, Vladimir Ivanov, Viktor Myasnikov, "Ne v raketakh delo, a v umnoy nachinke," Nezavisimoye voennoye obozreniye, 20 February 2004.
[4] "Vladimiru Putinu pustili 'Sinevu' v glaza," Kommersant-Daily, 18 February 2004.
[5] Vladimir Mukhin, Andrey Riskin, "Morskoy shchit Rossii vzorvalsya nad Severnym morem," Nezavisimaya gazeta, 19 February 2004.
[6] "Rossiiskii yadernyy shchit dal treshchinu," Kommersant-Daily, 19 February 2004.
[7] "Prikazov o priostanovke ekspluatatsii samolikvidirovavsheysya rakety RS-54 ne bylo," Strana.Ru, http://www.strana.ru, 19 February 2004.
[8] Nail Gafutulin, Sergey Severinov, Aleksandr Bogatyrev, "Proryv k oruzhiyu novogo pokoleniya," Krasnaya zvezda, 20 February 2004.
[9] Yuliya Kalinina, Olga Bozhiyeva, "Sho to bylo?" Moskovskiy komsomolets, 20 February 2004. {Entered 3/17/04 CC}

9/2/2003: SUCCESSFUL SLBM TEST BY PACIFIC FLEET
On 2 September 2003, the Pacific Fleet Kalmar-class [NATO name 'Delta III'] SSBN Podolsk conducted a successful SLBM launch. The Russian Navy fired a R-29R [NATO designation SS-N-18 'Stingray'] missile from the Sea of Okhotsk. The warhead is reported to have struck successfully the designated target at the Chizha testing range on the White Sea coast, 6,000km from the launch point.
[David C. Isby, "Russian Navy tests SLBM," Jane’s Missiles and Rockets online edition, http://jmr.janes.com, 1 November 2003]. {Entered 11/21/2003 TS}

10/12/2002: SLBMs LAUNCHED AS PART OF LARGE TRAINING EXERCISE
On 12 October 2002, Pacific and Northern Fleet ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs) participated in a large-scale training exercise designed to test the combat readiness of the Russian strategic nuclear forces. As part of the exercise, a Pacific Fleet SSBN in the Sea of Okhotsk launched a sea-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) at a testing ground target on Cape Kanin Nos on the White Sea coast. A SLBM fired from a Northern Fleet Kalmar-class [NATO name 'Delta III'] SSBN in the Barents Sea targeted the Kura testing ground on the Kamchatka Peninsula.[1] According to military sources, both warheads accurately struck the identified targets within the programmed timeframe.[1,2]
Sources:
[1] Vladimir Levin, "Yadernyye rakety proleteli nad Moskvoy," Press Center.Ru, 15 October 2002; in Integrum Techno, http://www.integrum.com.
[2] "V Rossii v odin den osushchestvleny puski ballisticheskikh raket nazemnogo, morskogo i vozdushnogo bazirovaniya," Interfax, 12 October 2002. {Entered 11/15/2002 EMC}

7/12/2002: SSBN LAUNCHES CONVERTED SLBM
On 12 July 2002, the Russian Project 667BDR Kalmar [NATO name 'Delta III'] ballistic missile submarine Ryazan launched a Volna space launch vehicle from the Barents sea. The Volna is a converted R-29R [NATO designation SS-N-18 'Stingray'] SLBM, designed by the Makeyev Space Missile Center. Instead of a warhead, the missile's payload was a 150kg Demonstrator-2 reentry and space descent test vehicle. This was the fourth launch of a converted SLBM from a Russian SSBN.
[Sergey Ishchenko, "Strategic Peace-loving Demonstration," Trud, 13 July 2002; in "Russia: Demonstrator-2 Space Vehicle Successfully Launched From Russian Submarine 'Ryazan'," FBIS Document CEP2002071200365.] {Entered 8/26/2002 MJ}

9/27/2001: RUSSIA TESTS SLBMS
On 27 September 2001, the Northern Fleet Akula-class [NATO name 'Typhoon'] SSBN Severstal, commanded by Captain Aleksander Bogachev, conducted an SLBM launch. The ship fired two missiles at the Kura target range in Kamchatka. The Severstal returned to port at Nerpichya on 13 November 2001.
["Raketnyy podvodnyy kreyser 'Severstal' vernulsya na bazu Severnogo flota," Agentsvo Voennykh Novostey, 13 November 2001; in Universal Database of Military and Security Periodicals, http://www.eastview.com.] {Entered on 7/22/2002 TM}
 
9/18/2001: RUSSIA SUCCESSFULLY TESTS SLBM
On 18 September 2001, the Pacific Fleet SSBN Podolsk, commanded by Captain Oleg Slugin, successfully carried out an SLBM launch from the Sea of Okhotsk.  Russian Navy Press Service Chief Captain Igor Dygalo reported that the warhead struck the designated impact area at the Chizha testing range on the coast of the Barents Sea.  The test was conducted to verify missile reliability.
["Atomnaya podlodka Tikhookeanskogo flota proizvela uspeshnyy pusk ballisticheskoy rakety," Agentstvo voyennykh novostey, 18 September 2001.]  {Entered 10/5/2001 IA}
 
7/20/2001: RUSSIAN SSBN LAUNCHES SCIENTIFIC SATELLITE
On 20 July 2001 the Project 667BDR [NATO name 'Delta III'] ballistic missile submarine Borisoglebsk launched a Kosmos-1 scientific satellite incorporating a solar sail. The satellite was launched using a Volna SLV, developed on the basis of the R-29R [NATO designation SS-N-18 'Stingray'] SLBM.[1,2] In 2000 two satellites were launched by the Project 667BDRM [NATO name 'Delta IV'] submarine Novomoskovsk, which used Shtil SLVs based on the R-29RM SLBM [NATO designation SS-N-23 'Skiff'].[2]
Sources:
[1] "Zavershena ustanovka konversionnoy rakety 'Volna' na APL 'Borisoglebsk' dlya yeye vyvedeniya v kosmos 20 iyulya," ITAR-TASS, 17 July 2001; in Integrum Techno, http://www.integrum.ru.
[2] Mikhail Khodarenok, "'Solnechnyy parus', kazhetsya, sgorel," Nezavisimaya gazeta, 21 July 2001; in Integrum Techno, http://www.integrum.ru. {Entered 8/28/2001 MJ}
 
2/16/2001: NORTHERN FLEET SLBM LAUNCH
An unnamed Russian ballistic missile submarine launched an unspecified SLBM from the Barents Sea on 16 February 2001, during the General Staff's strategic command and staff exercise held from 13-16 February 2001. The missile struck the Kura testing ground in Kamchatka.[1,2]
Sources:
[1] "Atomnyy podvodnyy raketonosets Severnogo flota proizvel uspeshnyy pusk ballisticheskoy rakety," Interfax, 16 February 2001.
[2] Vladimir Gundarov, "Popali v 'kolyshek'," Krasnaya zvezda, 17 February 2001; in Integrum Techno, http://www.integrum.ru/. {Entered 3/20/2001 MJ}
 
12/27/2000: RUSSIAN SUBMARINE LAUNCHES SLBM
On 27 December 2000, the Russian SSBN Novomoskovsk (CNS believes it is the K-407, a Delfin class [NATO name 'Delta IV'] nuclear submarine) launched a ballistic missile from the Barents Sea. According to Russian Navy spokesperson Igor Dygalo, the missile's warhead hit the designated impact area at the Kura testing range on the Kamchatka Peninsula. The launch was conducted to check the preparedness of the Russian strategic naval forces.
["Segodnya s podvodnogo raketonostsa 'Novomoskovsk' iz akvatorii Barentseva morya proizveden zapusk ballisticheskoy rakety," RosBiznesKkonsalting, 27 December 2000; in UNIAN, 25-31 December 2000, no. 52.] {Entered 10/1/2001 EF}

9/12/2000:  NORTHERN FLEET SLBM LAUNCHED FROM SSBN IN WAKE OF KURSK ACCIDENT
According to Krasnaya zvezda, on 10 September 2000 one RSM-54 ballistic missile [NATO designation SS-N-23 'Skiff'] was launched from the Russian Northern Fleet Delta-IV class SSBN Kareliya in the Barents Sea and successfully hit its target at the Kura test range near Kamchatka.[1]  Present at the launch were Commander of the Russian Navy Vladimir Kuroyedov, Northern Fleet Commander Admiral Vyacheslav Popov, and Murmansk Oblast Governor Yuriy Yevdokimov.  Northern Fleet spokesman Vladimir Navrotsky stated that the test launch was part of the Northen Fleet's training program.[2]  Krasnaya zvezda reporters speculated that the launch was intended to make a political statement to reassure the public that Russia is still militarily strong in the wake of the Kursk accident.[1]
Sources: 
[1] Andrey Gavrilenko & Vladimir Gundarov, "Vysokiye orbity rossiyskogo flota:  Uspeshnym puskom ballisticheskoy rakety podvodniki podtverdili nadezhnost yadernogo shchita Rossii," Krasnay zvezda, 14 September 2000, p. 1; in WPS Oborona i bezopasnost, No. 109, 18 September 2000. 
[2]" Ballistic Missile Launched From Northern Fleet Submarine," Interfax, No. 3, 12 September 2000. {Entered 9/20/2000 RG}
 
3/27/2000: NORTHERN FLEET SLBM TEST LAUNCH SUCCESSFUL
On Monday 27 March 2000 two RSM-54 ballistic missiles (NATO designation SS-N-23 'Skiff' ) were launched at 10 a.m. (0600 GMT) and 1 a.m. (0900 GMT) from the Russian Northern Fleet SSBN Kareliya (Russian designation Project 667 BDRM, NATO designation 'Delta-IV') in the Barents Sea. Half an hour later the warheads successfully hit their designated targets more than 6,000km away at the Kura testing ground off the coast of Kamchatka.[1,2] According to Russian Navy spokesman Igor Dygalo, both tests were conducted as part of a program to extend the service life of older weaponry and were dedicated to the election of Vladimir Putin as president and commander-in-chief of the Russian armed forces.[1,3] Sources:
[1] "Russia Tests Two Ageing Sea-Based Missiles," Reuters, 27 March 2000.
[2] "Raketnaya strelba podvodnoy lodki," Nazavisimaya gazeta, online edition, http://www.ng.ru, 28 March 2000.
[3] "Strategicheskaya podvodnaya lodka SF uspeshno proizvela povtorniy pusk ballisticheckoy rakety," Interfax, 27 March 2000.
{Entered 4/5/00 EV}
 
11/17/99: TWO SLBMS FIRED BY NORTHERN FLEET SSBN
On 17 November 1999, a Typhoon-class SSBN of the Russian Northern Fleet launched two RSM-52 (NATO designation SS-N-20 'Sturgeon') SLBMs from a submerged position in the Barents Sea.[1,2] The launches were performed two hours apart. The RSM-52 missiles were chosen for testing as part of a program to extend the service life of this type of missile. The warheads hit targets located on the Kamchatka peninsula's Klyuchi testing ground 30 minutes after the launch.[2] Russian Navy Commander-in-Chief Vladimir Kuroyedov stated that "the naval strategic forces demonstrated a high level of combat readiness and met all modern requirements."[1] Russian telemetry reception stations followed the SLBMs along their flightpath and the Russian early warning system and C3 system were also tested as part of the exercise. [2] This test launching coincided with the OSCE summit meeting in Istanbul, and some observers have suggested that it was partly intended as a show of force.[3]
Sources:
[1] "S rossiyskogo podvodnogo kreysera proizveden uspeshnyy pusk dvukh ballisticheskikh raket," Interfax, No. 2, 17 November 19999.
[2] Valeriy Aleksin, "Nasha strategicheskaya mosch zhiva," Nezavisimaya gazeta, 19 November 1999, pp.1-2; in WPS Oborona i Bezopasnost, No. 137, 22 November 1999.
[3] Roberto Suro, "Russia's Ailing Military Flexes Muscles to West; Air, Missile and Sea Exercises Fail to Stir Alarm," International Herald Tribune, 19 November 1999, p. 7; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, http://web.lexis-nexis.com. {Entered 12/1/99 VT}
 
10/2/99: PACIFIC FLEET DELTA III SSBN CONDUCTS SLBM TEST LAUNCH
On 2 October 1999, the Pacific Fleet Delta III SSBN Petropavlovsk-Kamchatka launched an RSM-50 [NATO designation SS-N-18 'Stingray'] SLBM . The missile hit the target area located at Cape Kanin Nos in northern Russia near the Barents Sea.[1] The exercises and test launches that concluded with this launch were termed an "unprecedented" event in the history of the Russian strategic forces.[2]
[1] "Rossiyskiy atomnyy podvodnyy raketonosets osushchestvil uspeshnyy pusk ballisticheskoy rakety iz akvatorii okhotskogo morya," Interfax, 2 October 1999.
[2] Ilya Kudrov, "Rossiya igrayet strategicheskimi muskulami," Nezavisimoye voyennoye obozreniye, No. 39, 8-14 October 1999, p. 1.{Entered 11/30/99 VT}
 
10/1/99: PACIFIC AND NORTHERN FLEET SSBNS CONDUCT TEST LAUNCHES
On 1 October 1999, the naval strategic nuclear forces together with the rocket-space defense troops of the Strategic Rocket Forces held a routine test of combat readiness.[1] A Delta III SSBN of the Pacific Fleet successfully launched an RSM-50 (NATO designation SS-N-18 'Stingray') SLBM from a submerged position in the Sea of Okhotsk. The SLBM hit the target, located on cape Kanin Nos, with a very high degree of accuracy and precisely at the designated time.[1,2] The rocket-space defense troops' radars followed the SLBM during its 7,000km flight, transmitting data on its flight to the SRF's central command and control point.[1] Another Delta III SSBN of the Northern Fleet fired an RSM-50 (SS-N-18) SLBM from a submerged position in the Barents Sea.[1,3] According to Interfax, the SLBM was destroyed at a "designated altitude" as part of a program aimed at extending the service life of this type of missile.[3] However, according to one report the missile experienced "technical defects" which necessitated its destruction.[4] On the same day, a Topol (NATO designation SS-25 Sickle) ICBM was test launched from the Plesetsk test range.[1]  (Please see the ICBM test launch file for more information.)
Sources:
[1] Vladimir Tundarov, "Popast v kolyshaek," Krasnaya Zvezda,  2 October 1999, p. 2.
[2] "Strategicheskiy atomnyy raketonosets TOF proizvel uspeshnyy pusk ballisticheskoy rakety iz podvodnogo polozheniya," Interfax, No. 1, 1 October 1999.
[3] "Strategicheskaya podvodnaya lodka Severnogo Flota proizvela pusk rakety s posleduyuschey samolikvidatsiyey," Interfax, No. 2, 1 October 1999. {Entered 11/8/99 VT}
[4] Ilya Kudrov, "Rossiya igrayet strategicheskimi muskulami," Nezavisimoye voyennoye obozreniye, No. 39, 8-14 October 1999, p. 1. {Updated 11/29/99 VT}
 
4/1/99: DELTA III SUCCESSFULLY FIRES SLBM
On 1 April 1999, during large-scale exercises of the Northern Fleet in the Barents Sea, a Delta III SSBN successfully launched an SLBM from a submerged position.[1,2] The target on Kamchatka was hit precisely at the designated time.[1] The purpose of the exercise was to test the combat readiness of the naval strategic nuclear forces.[3]
Sources:
[1] "Fleet Exercises: 'Excellent Firing,'" Krasnaya zvezda, 2 April 1999, p. 3; in "Delta-Class Sub Successful SLBM Launch," FBIS Document FTS19990408001877.
[2] "Vremya" Newscast, Russian Public Television, 1 April 1999;  in "TV Shows Missile Launch from Submarine," FBIS Document FTS19990408001235.
[3] ITAR-TASS, 1 April 1999; in "Russians Test Ballistic Missile in Barents Sea," FBIS Document FTS19990401000339. {Entered 10/5/99 VT}
 
8/21/98: YELTSIN VISITS NORTHERN FLEET, OBSERVES SLBM LAUNCH
Russian President Boris Yeltsin visited the Northern Fleet and watched naval exercises from aboard the nuclear-powered cruiser Petr Velikiy on 21 August.  The exercises involved 17 surface ships, including the aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov, and the missile cruiser Marshal Ustinov.[1]  The launch of an RSM-50 (SS-N-18) SLBM was conducted by a Kalmar class (Delta-III) SSBN.  The launch was reportedly a success, with the missile's warheads reaching their target area in the Kamchatka peninsula.[1]  Ten cruise missiles (of unspecified type) were also fired during the exercise.[2]
Sources:
 [1] Sergey Golotyuk and Vladimir Yermolin, "President's Military Success.  Missile Reaches Kamchatka Under Supreme Commander in Chief's Direction," Russkiy Telegraf, 22 August 1998, p. 2; in "Yeltsin Visits Northern Fleet, Sees Missile Launch," FBIS-UMA-98-237, 25 August 1998.
[2] Interfax, 21 August 1998; in "Nuclear Submarines Guarded Maneuvers Attended by Yeltsin," FBIS-UMA-98-233, 21 August 1998.{Entered 3/2/99 jl}
 
2/19/98: TWO SLBMS SUCCESSFULLY LAUNCHED FROM DELTA-IV SSBN
According to ITAR-TASS, a Russian Delta-IV SSBN conducted test launches of two sea-launched ballistic missiles (SLBM) from the northern Barents Sea.  The test launches were reportedly successful, with the warheads landing in target areas on the Kamchatka peninsula.
["Russian Submarine Test Fires 2 Strategic Missiles," ITAR-TASS, 19 February 1998; in FBIS-UMA-98-050, 19 February 1998.]{Entered 3/2/99 jl}
 
11/19/97:EXPERIMENTAL SLBM TEST FAILS, MISSILE DESTROYED
A test launch of the experimental RSM-52V SLBM (US Navy designation SS-NX-28) failed at the Central Naval Weapons Range in Nenoksa (Arkhangelsk Oblast) on 19 November 1997.  The missile exploded shortly after launch at an altitude of  only 200 meters with a force that could be felt in Severodvinsk, 40km away.[1]  Russian Defense Minister Igor Sergeyev, who was present for the test,  told journalists only that the missile blew up after launch, and announced that a special commission headed by Navy Commander-in-Chief Vladimir Kuroyedov would investigate the cause of the failure.[2] It was not clear from media reports whether the missile exploded spontaneously or was deliberately destroyed as a safety measure after some of its systems failed.  The RSM-52V is being developed by the Makayev Design Bureau (Chelyabinsk Oblast) on the basis of the solid-fuel RSM-52/R-39 SLBM (NATO designation SS-N-20), which is deployed on Typhoon class SSBNs. The new  missile may be intended to replace the RSM-52/R-39 on Typhoon class SSBNs, as an upgraded RSM-52/R-39 (termed the R-39UTTKh) was developed from 1985-1989, and accepted into service by the Soviet Navy in 1989. This earlier upgraded missile, with more accurate guidance systems, more energetic solid-fuel propellant, and improvements to the post-boost vehicle, was clearly intended for retrofitting into Typhoon class SSBNs, although Western sources believe that significant production was not carried out at that time. Portions of the RSM-52/R-39 and the improved R-39UTTKh were reportedly made at the Pavlograd Chemical Plant in Ukraine, which in combination with financial difficulties may explain why the the new Russian-produced version of the upgraded missile has been in development so long.[3] Financial considerations may now prevent retrofitting the new RSM-52V into Typhoon class SSBNs, however, and it is possible that the new missile is intended for deployment on Borey class SSBNs, the first of which is under construction.  The older RSM-52 also had significant difficulties during its development process, with several failed tests.  An unnamed Russian admiral told Interfax on 21 November 1997 that the explosion of the RSM-52V "is just a failure in the testing of a new defense system," arguing that such complex systems must be tested about 20 times. He said the failed test was only the fourth test of the new SLBM, adding that the RSM-52V had entered testing only in late 1996. Alluding to the fact that solid-fuel SLBMs were previously manufactured in Ukraine, the admiral said the Russian designers of the new missile were facing "somewhat new" challenges, and expressed confidence that the Makayev Design Bureau would resolve the problems by 2000. [4]
Sources:
[1] Yevgeniy Federov and Aleksandr Raskin, "Nuclear Missile Explodes over Arkhangelsk. That Was an Exercise," Kommersant-daily, 21 November 1997, p. 1; in "Explosion Calls Adoption of RSM-52V Missile into Question," FBIS-SOV-97-325.
[2] Interfax, 20 November 1997; in "Russian Ballistic Missile Explodes at Arkhangelsk Launch," FBIS-SOV-97-324.
[3] Steven J. Zaloga, "The Thunder Inside Russia's 'Typhoons'," Jane's Intelligence Review, December 1996, p. 536.
[4] Interfax, 21 November 1997; in "Russian Admiral Plays Down Failure of Missile Test," {entered 2/12/98 sdp}
  
7/23/97: PACIFIC FLEET SSBN LAUNCHES SLBM
On 23 July 1997, a Pacific Fleet SSBN successully conducted a scheduled launch of an SLBM targeted at one of the Nothern Fleet's test areas.[1] During the same exercises, two Pacific Fleet submarines, the Omsk and the Chelyabinsk, simultaneously fired two "Granit" ship-to-ship missiles for the first time.[2,3]
Sources:
[1] Leonid Vinogradov, ITAR-TASS, 23 July 1997; in "Russian Pacific Fleet Submarine Tests Ballistic Missile," FBIS-UMA-97-204, 23 July 1997.
[2] Interfax, 23 July 1997; in "Pacific Fleet Submarines Test Fire Cruise Missiles," FBIS-UMA-97-204, 23 July 1997.
[3] "Segodnya utrom"  newscast, 24 July 1997; in "Independent Russian TV Shows Submarine Missile Firing," FBIS-SOV-97-205. {Entered 10/6/99 VT}
  
1/15/97: SS-N-18 SLBM TEST LAUNCH
In the first SLBM test launch of 1997, a Russian Delta-III SSBN of the Northern Fleet successfully launched an RSM-50 (SS-N-18) SLBM from the Barents Sea to a target off the Kamchatka peninsula.
[Interfax, 1/15/97, in "Arctic Submarine Successfully Tests Ballistic Missile," FBIS-SOV-97-011.] {Entered 1/17/97 JL}
 
10/3/96: SLBM TEST LAUNCH BY NORTHERN FLEET
An SLBM of an unspecified type was successfully launched by an SSBN of the Northern Fleet as part of the Redut-96 strategic exercise. (See 10/3/96 entry under C3I for more information on Redut-96.)
["'Prezidentskaya knopka' srabotala," Krasnaya zvezda, 10/4/96, p. 1; "Strategicheskaya komandno-shtabnaya trenirovka," Krasnaya zvezda, 10/3/96, p. 1] {Entered JL 11/17/96}
 
7/15/96: TWO SSBNS CONDUCT TEST LAUNCHES
Two SSBNs of the Northern Fleet successfully conducted test launches of ballistic missiles during exercises in the Barents Sea. Two types of SLBMs were launched: one SS-N-8 (RSM-40) and one SS-N-23 (RSM-54). The SLBMs tested were reportedly drawn from long-term storage, apparently in order to test the condition of the aging missile force. The exercises also involved coordination with other strategic nuclear forces and the Russian ballistic early warning missile system (BMEWS). Northern fleet officials stated that all the missiles accurately hit their targets.
[Press-Tsentr VMF RF, "Podvodnyy 'strategi' strelyali uspeshno," Krasnaya zvezda, 7/17/96, p. 1; Vasiliy Belousov, "Atomic Submarines Practice Firing in Barents Sea," ITAR-TASS, 7/15/96; FBIS-SOV-96-137, 7/15/96.] {Entered 8/15/96 KD Revised 8/29/96 JL}
 
6/28/96: PACIFIC FLEET CONDUCTS TRIPLE TEST LAUNCH
For the first time, the Pacific Fleet launched ballistic missiles simultaneously from three submarines. The successful launch was part of a command-staff exercise run by Commander Admiral Vladimir Kuroyedov intended to test the combat readiness of the Russian Navy's nuclear deterrence forces. A Navy official announced that in the year 2002 the Navy would start receiving a new generation of SSBN submarines.
["Ballisticheskiy zall Tikhookeanskogo flota," Krasnaya zvezda, 7/2/96, p. 1. Doug Clarke, "Fleet Practices Multiple Missile Launches," OMRI DAILY DIGEST Vol. 2, No. 128, 7/02/96; O. Zhurman, "Vesti" newscast, Moscow Russian Television Network, 7/10/96; "Pacific Fleet Submarine Missile Exercises End Successfully," FBIS-UMA-96-138-S, 7/10/96; Interfax, 7/2/96] {Revised 9/14/96 KVY}
 
3/26/96: NORTHERN FLEET HOLDS LARGEST EXERCISES SINCE SOVIET COLLAPSE
Izvestiya reported that in March 1996 the Northern Fleet held naval exercises on a scale larger than any since the collapse of the Soviet Union. The exercises reportedly involved 32 surface combatants, including the new aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov, and 22 submarines, including SSBNs. Air support for the exercises included 49 sorties with coordination and control provided by A-50 Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft. As Izvestiya noted, the show of naval strength was held in the Barents Sea and Norwegian Sea just before President Yeltsin was to visit Norway (to discuss issues including demarcation of the continental shelf in the region), and just after a NATO military exercise in the region.
[Viktor Litovkin, "Severnyy flot pokazal svoyu moshch' pered vizitom B. Yeltsina v Norvegiyu," Izvestiya, 3/26/96, p. 2.]

Last updated 24 May 2004

This file is no longer being updated.  For major recent developments, see the General Nuclear Weapons Developments file.

Comments or questions? E-mail Nikolai Sokov:  nsokovATmiis.edu.

This material is produced independently for NTI by the Center for Nonproliferation Studies at the Monterey Institute of International Studies and does not necessarily reflect the opinions of and has not been independently verified by NTI or its directors, officers, employees, agents. Copyright © 2002 by MIIS.

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