Article Posted on : - Oct 29, 2010

A file photo.

MOSCOW (BNS): In a second consecutive test this month, Russia on Friday successfully carried out a Bulava ballistic missile test in the White Sea.

The long-range ballistic missile was test-fired from underwater from the Dmitry Donskoy nuclear-powered submarine at 5:10 Moscow time (1:10 GMT), RIA Novosti reported.

The missile’s warhead hit its target on the Kura test range in Russia’s Far East Kamchatka region, the report, quoting the Russian Defense Ministry, said.

This was the 14th test launch of the missile and second this month. The missile was successfully tested on October 7 from the same underwater platform.

Russia had put on hold all tests of the three-stage solid-propellant intercontinental ballistic missile system after the weapon had failed twice during its test trials in July and December 2009.

The Bulava missile has been developed to equip the Russian military with advanced defence capabilities and making it resistant to missile-defence systems.

The missile, having a range of over 8,000 kilometers, can carry up to 10 multiple independently targetable reentry vehicle warheads. It is being developed to arm Russia's new Borey class nuclear-powered submarines.