About the Bulava Ballistic Missile:
- It is a new Russian submarine-launched Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM).
- Development of this missile commenced in 1998. The first powered flight test of the Bulava missile occurred in September 2005. It’s first submerged test launch followed in December.
- It was designed to be deployed onto Russia’s Borey-class ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs).
- Features:
- It was designed to be the backbone of Moscow's nuclear triad and has a range of over 8,000 kilometres (close to 5,000 miles).
- It is 12-13.5 m in length and has a diameter of approximately 2.0 m.
- Launch Weight: 36,800 kg
- It is a three-stage solid-fuel missile.
- It is designed to carry multiple warheads. Each warhead will strike a different target.
- It can carry six Multiple Independent Re-entry Vehicles (MIRVs). These MIRVs are capable of manoeuvring in-flight and re-targeting, in order to outmanoeuvre hostile air defences.
- It is stated that this missile has an accuracy of 350 m.
What is a Ballistic Missile?
- It is a rocket-propelled self-guided strategic weapon system that follows a ballistic trajectory to deliver a payload from its launch site to a predetermined target.
- Ballistic missiles are initially powered by a rocket or series of rockets in stages, but then follow an unpowered trajectory that arches upwards before descendingto reach their intended target.
- Ballistic missiles can carry either nuclear or conventional warheads.
