Russia Says Sub To Test New Missile This Year

source english.pravda.ru

Apr 19, 2011 By Thomas Grove/Reuters - AviationWeek.com

MOSCOW  - A new Russian nuclear submarine will be ready to test the next generation of intercontinental missiles this year, a military shipbuilding spokesman said on Tuesday. The Yuri Dolgoruky, the first of Russia’s new Borei class of submarines, has yet to fire the Bulava missile it was made to carry because of numerous failures during testing. “By the beginning of the navigation season all ships will be ready to carry out tests of the Bulava,” said Alexander Kholodov, a representative of submarine-building shipyard Sevmash. “This refers above all to the submarines Dmitry Donskoy and Yuri Dolgoruky,” he said. The Dmitry Donskoy is an older Akula-class vessel used for previous Bulava tests while Borei-class submarines were undergoing testing. The Bulava was designed to be carried on submarines like the Yuri Dolgoruky, but repeated failures of the missile during tests have called the costly project into question. The submarine’s entry into service, carrying the Bulava, will be a major step forward for Russia’s military, which hopes to use rising oil revenues to increase its clout. Prime Minister Vladimir Putin has promised to spend nearly 20 trillion rubles ($705.7 billion) to upgrade Russia’s crumbling defense forces over the next 10 years. The Bulava has failed half of its 14 tests. A 15th test was scheduled last year but harsh winter weather conditions forced Moscow to delay it until this year.