Global Security Newswire

The final 2011 trial of Russia's experimental Bulava submarine-launched ballistic missile is scheduled to take place later this month, a defense sector insider told RIA Novosti on Wednesday (see GSN, Oct. 28).

“It will be a salvo launch from the Yuri Dolgoruky strategic submarine, and it will involve at least two missiles,” the insider said (RIA Novosti, Nov. 16).

The exercise might take place on one of the first days of next month, an industry source told ITAR-Tass on Wednesday (ITAR-Tass, Nov. 16). The upcoming trial would mark the missile's 18th test and its fourth this year, according to RIA Novosti.

High-level Russian military officials have said the missile -- designed to deliver as many as 10 independently targeted nuclear warheads as far as 5,000 miles -- would become the key weapon on Russia's new Borei-class submarines, despite a number of unsuccessful trials attributed to production problems.

Russia could soon place the Borei-class Yuri Dolgoruky submarine on active duty within its navy, depending on Bulava test results (see GSN, Sept. 7).

The Alexander Nevsky, another Borei-class vessel, would enter its second sea testing phase within three days if weather conditions allow, a Russian navy insider said on Wednesday (see GSN, Oct. 26; RIA Novosti).