The Bulava is one of the latest developments in Russian rocket science. Still undergoing tests on this facility. Some of them were unsuccessful, which caused a lot of criticism from experts. It is safe to say that the “Mace” is a rocket whose characteristics are really unique, and what exactly, you will learn in this article. It is worth paying your attention to the fact that this solid propellant ballistic missile is intended for deployment on nuclear submarines (such as the “Shark”).
History of creation
In 1998, a decision was made in favor of the development of the Bulava ballistic missile. At that time, Vladimir Kuroyedov, who was developing a strategic Bark gun, was at the post of the Russian Navy. The complex was only 70% ready, and its tests were unsuccessful. After that, the RF Council decided to transfer the development of the latest intercontinental missile to the metropolitan institute of heat engineering, despite the fact that the latter had no experience in creating such weapons. In June 2009, the first test of the Bulava rocket was carried out, which was successful. After that, it was decided to launch in serial production the most developed parts and assemblies. So, by the end of 2012, Anatoly Serdyukov announced that these missiles would go into service with the Russian army in October 2012. As of January 2014, about 46 missiles were manufactured, approximately 14 of which were launched during testing.
Ongoing tests
To date, about 20 tests have been completed, only 55% have been successful. The first launch of the Bulava rocket (mass-scale model) was carried out on September 23, 2004. The second, which can be called the first real one, was completed on September 25, 2005. Then the Bulava intercontinental missile successfully reached its target and hit it. The third submarine launch from the Dmitry Donskoy nuclear submarine was carried out in October 2005. The target at the Kura training ground in Kamchatka was successfully hit. Several of the following tests were unsuccessful. Either the engine of the last liquid stage of the rocket refused, then it deviated from the course and fell, then it simply banally self-destructed. The only good news is that in the course of unsuccessful tests, the corresponding conclusions were drawn and certain nodes were finalized. As a result of this, 9 out of the last 10 tests were successful, and this is a very good result. Well, now let's look at another interesting point.
Mace missile: characteristics
This complex boasts the following characteristics:
- The range is 8 thousand kilometers.
- Weight (starting) - 36.8 tons.
- The thrown (dumped) weight is 1,150 kilograms.
- The length / diameter of the launch container is 12.1 / 2.1 meters.
- The diameter of the first stage is 2.0 meters.
The Bulava missile, the characteristics of which you just learned, has three stages. The first two are solid fuel, and the last is liquid. The mass of the motor of the first stage is about 18.5 tons with a length of 3.6 meters. To date, data on the second stage have not been disclosed. Until the beginning of 2014, it was not known how the 3rd stage was completed. Today, we can confidently say that it is liquid. This is necessary in order to ensure maximum maneuvering of the object at the final stages of flight. This missile in its composition can carry about 10 nuclear units, each of which is controllable. This is almost all the data that is known today.
Recent changes to the complex
It became known that the complex will have a special missile defense system. But what kind of system it will be, is not yet explained. Perhaps it will be a false target or a special coating that will make the unit invisible to radar. This is top secret information that will not be disclosed. Separately, a few words must be said that the Bulava rocket, the characteristics of which we have already examined, has been somewhat modernized in recent years of development. In particular, the principle of breeding nuclear blocks has been changed. If earlier a rocket displayed blocks over a target, after which it dropped (scattered) them, now the principle of “grape bunch” or “school bus” is used according to US terminology. Since Topol-M and Bulava were developed on the same base (Moscow Institute of Heat Engineering), and the accuracy of the first complex is very high, it is possible to speak with great confidence about the high efficiency of the Bulava intercontinental missile. But, since there are various modifications - "Mace-30", "Mace-M", it is difficult to say something about the accuracy and other characteristics of a single complex.
Mace rocket speed
A ballistic missile is uncontrollable almost the entire time of its flight. On-board electronics contains a special program that sets the speed and flight path even at the active stage of flight. After the engine turns off, the rocket moves along a ballistic trajectory and is not controlled from the outside. We can say that the speed of a medium and short-range ballistic missile is practically the same. But since we are dealing with an intercontinental ballistic missile, in this case the speed is slightly higher and amounts to about 5-6 kilometers per hour. The exact data cannot be called, since they are currently unknown. However, it can be said that during the tests it was noted that the rocket flew 5.5 thousand kilometers in 14 minutes. From this we can draw a simple conclusion that in a second a rocket flies about 6-7 kilometers. It can be said that the speed of the Bulava rocket is quite impressive, however, according to many data, such American complexes are somewhat faster.
A bit of criticism
As noted above, due to the low percentage of successful tests, the Bulava ballistic missile suffered a lot of criticism, and not only from domestic scientists. So, the Americans say that this complex is almost one hundred percent similar to their Poseidon-C3 missile. True, the latter has already been withdrawn from service as obsolete. But this is due to the fact that there are only two solid fuel systems, and the maximum range is only five and a half thousand kilometers. It should be noted that many experts say that the replacement of liquid-based sea-launched missiles with analogues like Bulava will only reduce the potential for nuclear deterrence. But, according to Solomonov (general designer), the decrease in payload is due to the increased survival of the rocket.
Some test scores
Many experts very often criticized this complex. This was due to the fact that the launch of the Bulava missile in 45% of cases was unsuccessful. Although this is rather controversial information, as several trials were partially successful, although they had deviations. Moreover, approximately 90% of unsuccessful launches were carried out at the stage of active development. But when the rocket was modified, then out of 10 launches, only one was unsuccessful. Such indicators indicate just the opposite - that the Bulava ballistic missile is very reliable, so to speak. Yuri Solomonov gave his comment on the large number of failures during the tests. He said that they cannot be predicted. The fact is that all processes leading to a deviation take place in a split second. And to clarify their nature, MIT conducted dozens of expensive tests, which ultimately led to a positive trend.
A little about the features of the complex
As noted above, the Bulava intercontinental ballistic missile is unique in its kind. This is primarily due to the fact that under the conditions of hostilities a missile is capable of withstanding the fire of laser weapons. It is noteworthy that the inclined launch allows you to run on the go, that is, during the movement of a nuclear submarine. This will increase the maneuverability of the complex as a whole. By the way, it should be noted that after a series of unsuccessful trials, Solomon left the post of general director of MIT, but at the same time remained the general designer of the complex. Now let's talk about what facilities the Bulava intercontinental ballistic missile will be used on
Complex location
Since this missile was created as a missile ship complex, it is logical to assume that the main location is nuclear submarines. Strategic submarines of the improved Shark project, for example, Dmitry Donskoy and Arkhangelsk, already have this complex in their arsenal. By the way, in our article there are pictures where the complex starts with a nuclear submarine, at that moment the “Mace” looks quite spectacular (photo). The missile is also installed on the objects of the project "Northwind". Among them are "Yuri Dolgoruky", "Alexander Nevsky" and others. By the end of 2020, it is planned to build another 8 submarines, 3 of which are for the Shark project and 5 for the Borey project. Each liner will have 16 Bulava missiles.
Conclusion
So we examined with you the key features of the Bulava complex (photo), the rocket, as you can see, looks very impressive, and the latest tests speak of its high efficiency. Nevertheless, it is quite difficult to call it ideal. But here she can strengthen the underwater potential of the Russian Federation. In addition, the reduced power of the complex is due to increased accuracy. Many critics did not take into account the survivability of the rocket compared to its counterparts. Resistance to damaging factors plays almost a key role during the conduct of hostilities.