The 11th test flight of an R-30 Bulava (SS-NX-30) solid-propellant ballistic missile, from the Borey-class flagship submarine Yury Dolgoruky in the White Sea on July 15 resulted in self-destruction of the missile at an initial stage of flight.

According to the Russian Defense Ministry statement the first stage of the missile malfunctioned and the weapon self-destructed. Special investigation commission has already established to find the failure cause, a ministry representative told reporters.

It was the sixth failure for the Bulava. After previous unsuccessful launch on December 2008 tests were suspended until the origin of malfunction had been determined. Officials from the investigation committee blamed low-quality components as a major source of problems.

Earlier this year, Deputy Defense Minister Vladimir Popovkin said the ministry expects to complete trials by the end of 2009. Consequently, more than four missiles were planned to be built and tested this year, with the missiles put into service almost immediately.

The Yury Dolgoruky, a Typhoon submarine in NATO classification, is designed to carry up to 16 Bulavas and is also undergoing trials. Another two subs of the class, Alexander Nevsky and Vladimir Monomach, are being constructed at the Severodvinsk Shipyard. Military experts believe up to 40% of Russia’s defense budget for this year was allocated for Bulavas and submarine construction and tests.

Meanwhile, Russian firings of the in-service Sineva missile were successful. One of the Sineva launches used a flattened trajectory according to the government press agency Novosti. Sineva firings were carried out from Delta IV-class boats.

Photo: Russian Federation MoD