Context:
Russia recently carried out a successful test launch of the Bulava ballistic missile, designed to carry nuclear warheads.
Relevance:
GS III: Science and Technology
Dimensions of the Article:
- About the Bulava Ballistic Missile
- What is a Ballistic Missile?
About the Bulava Ballistic Missile:
- The Bulava Ballistic Missile is a newly developed Russian submarine-launched Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM).
- Its development began in 1998, and the first powered flight test of the Bulava missile took place in September 2005, followed by its first submerged test launch in December.
- The Bulava missile was specifically designed for deployment on Russia’s Borey-class ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs).
Key Features:
- This missile is a significant component of Moscow’s nuclear triad, featuring an impressive range of over 8,000 kilometers (close to 5,000 miles).
- The Bulava missile measures approximately 12-13.5 meters in length and has a diameter of around 2.0 meters.
- It has a launch weight of 36,800 kilograms and is a three-stage solid-fuel missile.
- Notably, the missile is designed to carry multiple warheads, with each warhead capable of striking a different target. It has the capacity to carry six Multiple Independent Re-entry Vehicles (MIRVs) that can maneuver in-flight and re-target, making it difficult for hostile air defenses to intercept.
- The Bulava missile is reported to have an accuracy of 350 meters.
What is a Ballistic Missile?
- A ballistic missile 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 rockets, typically using a series of stages, and then follow an unpowered trajectory that reaches its highest point before descending toward the intended target.
- These missiles can carry either nuclear or conventional warheads, making them versatile and powerful tools in military arsenals.
-Source: Indian Today
