TsAGI centenary in history: ballistic missile Bulava-30

27 September 2018

The domestic solid-fuel ballistic missile Bulava-30 inaugural launch took place in September 27, 2005 in the waters of the White Sea. The missile successfully acquired and hit its target.

The Moscow Institute of Thermal Technology started development of the missile in 1998. Prior, the Institute had developed a land-based missile, the Topol-M. The institute designers were challenged to develop a new advanced missile to be deployed on Borei class submarines. The result of several years of calculations and studies resulted in an almost 37-ton, 12-foot three-stage Bulava-30, able to carry six to ten warheads with individual guidance to a distance of 8000 km.

Specialists of the Zhukovsky Central AeroHydrodynamic Institute (TsAGI) participated in this project giving scientific support to ensure its underwater launch. The Bulava work cycle at TsAGI lasted for several years and ended in 2012. During this time, scientists developed highly efficient methods for the underwater launch and made recommendations on its most favorable motion modes in water and its release into the atmosphere. Full-scale launch tests verified the results of the Institute’s theoretical and experimental research.

At present, there have been 32 launches of the Bulava-30, 25 of which have been successful.

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