A Russian submarine failed to carry out a scheduled test of the nation's sea-based experimental ballistic missile in the Arctic Ocean, Agence France-Presse reported yesterday (see GSN, Oct. 15).
The Dmitry Donskoi returned to its base in western Russia without firing the weapon as planned, a naval base source told Interfax.
"The main task of the mission, the execution of the Bulava test launch, was not fulfilled," the source said. "There are many theories about the event but the reasons can only be announced after an analysis of what happened."
The missile, 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.
Moscow has dedicated almost 50 percent of its defense purchasing budget to the weapon's development, Russian news reports have indicated (Agence France-Presse/Spacewar.com, Oct. 29).
Meanwhile, a Russian nuclear-capable, short-range ballistic missile unexpectedly broke up during a live-fire exercise yesterday, Interfax reported.
"The missile self-destructed at the height of 1,000 meters (about 3,280 feet)," said Col. Alexei Kuznetsov. The incident involving the unarmed Tochka-U missile was not reported to have caused injuries or any other harm.
An investigation is planned. A second Tochka-U test went off without trouble, the official said.
Developed in 1989, the Tochka-U is a variant of the Soviet-era Tochka missile commissioned in 1976 (Interfax, Oct. 30).