Russia delayed today's planned test of the experimental Bulava submarine-launched ballistic missile as the nation continues investigating one of the weapon's botched flight tests, RIA Novosti reported (see GSN, Sept. 14).
The next test of the missile will be pushed back at least to the end of the month, according to one defense industry source. The weapon, which has failed in six of 11 flight tests, is intended to arm Russia's new Borei-class submarines and to form a key component of Moscow's nuclear deterrent. It is designed to carry as many as 10 independently targeted nuclear warheads up to 5,000 miles.
Some experts have indicated that the missile has an even poorer track record than the Russian government has admitted; only one of the missile's 11 launches was carried out without problems, according to Russian military analyst Pavel Felgenhauer (RIA Novosti, Oct. 14).