RSM-56 Bulava facts for kids

Quick facts for kids RSM-56 Bulava
Bulava launched from submarine Yuri Dolgoruky on 28 October 2011
Type	SLBM
Place of origin	Russia
Service history
In service	2018–present
Used by	Russian Navy
Production history
Designer	Moscow Institute of Thermal Technology
Manufacturer	Votkinsk Plant State Production Association
Unit cost	$32.2 million (2012)
Produced	2011
Specifications
Mass	36.8 t (36.2 long tons; 40.6 short tons)
Length	11.5 m (38 ft) (without warhead) 12.1 m (40 ft) (launch container)
Diameter	2 m (6 ft 7 in) (missile) 2.1 m (6 ft 11 in) (launch container)
Warhead	6-10 × 100-150 kt MIRVs
Engine	Three stage solid and liquid head stage
Payload capacity	1150 kg
Propellant	Solid propellant and liquid fuel
Operational range	8,300 km ≥ 9,300, 15,000km
Guidance system	Inertial guidance, possibly with Astro-inertial guidance and/or GLONASS update
Accuracy	classified
Launch platform	Borei-class submarines Typhoon-class submarine Dmitri Donskoi (as a testbed)

The RSM-56 Bulava (Russian: Булава, lit. "mace", NATO reporting name SS-NX-30 or SS-N-32, GRAU index 3M30, 3K30) is a submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) developed for the Russian Navy and deployed in 2019 on the new Borei class of ballistic missile nuclear submarines. It is intended to serve as a crucial component of Russia's nuclear triad. The weapon takes its name from bulava, a Russian word for mace.

Designed by Moscow Institute of Thermal Technology, development of the missile was launched in the late 1990s as a replacement for the R-39 Rif solid-fuel SLBM. The Project 955/955A Borei-class submarines carry 16 missiles per vessel.

A source in the Russian defense industry told TASS on June 29, 2018, that the D-30 missile system with the R-30 Bulava intercontinental ballistic missile had been accepted for service in the Russian Navy after its successful four-missile salvo launch tests in 2018.

Description

A Bulava tested in June 2017.

The Bulava missile was developed by Moscow Institute of Thermal Technology under the leadership of chief designer Yury Solomonov [ru]. Although it utilizes some engineering solutions used for the recent RT-2PM2 Topol-M ICBM, the new missile has been developed virtually from scratch. The Bulava is the submarine version of the Topol-M, and is both lighter and thinner than the Volna. The two missiles are expected to have comparable ranges, and similar CEP and warhead configurations. Bulava has a declared START throw weight of 1150 kg to 9,500 kilometers.

The missile has three stages; the first and second stages use solid fuel propellant, while the third stage uses a liquid fuel to allow high maneuverability during warhead separation. The missile can be launched from an inclined position, allowing a submarine to fire them while moving. It has a low flight trajectory, and due to this could be classified as a quasi-ballistic missile. It is rumored to possess advanced missile defense evasion capabilities and can maneuver at its boost stage.

Borei-class submarines carrying Bulava missiles are expected to be an integral part of the Russian nuclear triad until 2040.

Bulava can be loaded on TEL road mobile launchers, on railway BZhRK trains and other various launchers.

Specifications

See also

In Spanish: R-30 Bulava para niños