Russian Bulava SLBM: Epic Fail

The Russians just can't seem to get their latest SLBM, the Bulava missile, right.  Another failed launch today, as seen from Norway, it spirals out of control before being destroyed in the atmosphere.

Kilo replacement continues to struggle

The Russian's follow-up to the Kilo class, the Lada, has been undergoing sea trials for over two years now, with no firm delivery dates yet.

Ladas are:

• Intended for ASUW and ASW (we'll see about that) as well as naval reconnaissance.
• Significantly quieter than Kilos using anechoic tiles and a skewed propeller. Interior machinery is sound silenced.
  
• Equipped with a towed array.
  
• Armed, like the Kilos, with six 533mm torpedo tubes, with 18 torpedoes and/or missiles carried.
• They displace 1,750 tons surfaced and are 220 feet long with a crew of 38.
• Capable of submerged cruise at a top speed of about 24 knots with a max operating depth around 800 feet.
• Capable of a max range of 6,000 miles (snorkeling) or about 300 miles submerged on batteries.
• Going to have an electronic periscope with night vision capability and a laser range finder.
  
• Designed to accept an AIP (air independent propulsion) system, but are not fitted with one as of yet.
• Married with a less complex version, the Amur, being offered for export.

Read a little more here

New Submarine Developments in Russia

The Russians are not standing still on the submarine front, either:

• They test fired two missiles, and launched three satellites on Christmas Day, according to ctv.ca.
• The K-114 successfully fired an ICBM.
• A new submarine , Yury Dolgoruky (of the Borei class, check out some pics) will launch in 2008, carrying the Bulava missile system.