The Bulava (Russia's latest SLBM) is much lighter and shorter ranged than the Trident D5 (on left) - I wonder why?
Does the Trident D5 need to be longer ranged when launched from the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, traveingl over the Russian landmass (much larger than the US) then hit missles in their silos in central Russia?
TRIDENT D5 vs BULAVA COMPARISION TABLE
Length: | 13.42 m | 12.1 m |
Diameter: | 2.11 m | 2.0 m |
Launch Weight: | 59,090 kg | 36,800 kg |
Payload: | Up to 8 MIRV Mk 4 or Mk 5 warheads, 2,800 kg | One to six MIRV, 1,150 kg |
Warhead: | Nuclear 100 kt or 475 kT | Nuclear, 100-150 kT |
Propulsion: | Three-stage solid propellant | Three-stage solid propellant |
Range: | 12,000 km | 8,300 km |
Status: | Operational (on 3 Borei SSBNs) | |
In Service: | 1990 |
Presumably the Trident is also much more accurate than the Bulava?
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A Russian Borey-class nuclear submarine successfully test-fired a Bulava strategic missile, the Russian Defense Ministry said. The ballistic missile was launched from a submerged position with all 16 rockets onboard the sub during the test.
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Pete