Article Posted on : - Aug 27, 2011

MOSCOW (BNS): Russia on Saturday successfully conducted the test launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile Bulava, a news report said.

A Russian news agency Ria Novosti report said, the missile was launched at 7:20 a.m. Moscow time from the strategic nuclear submarine Yuri Dolgoruky in the White Sea.

Quoting the Russian Defence Ministry spokesman, it said "The regular launch of the missile was conducted at 7:20 a.m. Moscow time from a submerged position from the regular carrier in line with the state flight development tests at a maximum flight range of the missile."

The missile successfully reached its target in the Pacific Ocean in accordance with all the necessary shipping security measures, he added.

The Bulava missile has been flight tested 15 times and only eight of them were successful. The first test launch of the Bulava from the Yuri Dolgoruky was conducted in June this year. Before that the missiles were fired from the Typhoon class Dmitry Donskoy submarine.

The Bulava (SS-NX-30) submarine-launched ballistic missile carries up to 10 MIRV warheads and has a range of over 8,000 kilometers (5,000 miles). The three-stage missile is specifically designed for deployment on Borey class nuclear submarines.