Putin / Russia :: Multiple missile launches during a command and control exercise

http://russianforces.org/blog/2014/05/multiple_missile_launches_duri.shtml


Multiple missile launches during a command and control exercise

On May 8, 2014 President of Russia took part in a command and control exercise conducted by the Russian armed forces. Among its main goals, the exercise was devoted to "coordinating actions of various units in countering a large-scale missile- and air-attack." Also, the exercise checked the procedures for launching a "massive launch-on-warning (ответно-встречный) missile strike and countering a nuclear attack by the means of the Moscow missile defense system."

As part of the exercise, the Strategic Rocket Forces launched a Topol/SS-25 ICBM from the Plesetsk test site to the Kura test site in Kamchatka. The warhead was reported to have successfully reached its target.

The Tula submarine of the Project 667BDRM class performed a successful launch of its R-29RM missile from the Barents Sea to the Kura site. Another submarine, Podolsk of the Project 667BDR class, launched a R-29R missile from the Sea of Okhotsk to the Chizha test site at the Kanin Peninsula. Note that this is the first launch of an SLBM from the Podolsk submarine in more than a decade - until recently all launches at the Pacific Fleet were performed from the Sv. Georgiy Pobedonosets submarine.

The exercise also tested communication between the national command authorities and strategic bombers. A Tu-95MS bomber launched six cruise missiles "against ground targets at the Western military district test site."

At the Priozersk (Sary-Shagan) test site a short-range interceptor (apparently 53T6, known as Gazelle) of the Moscow ABM system was reported to successfully intercept a target that imitated a ballistic missile. Last time the interceptor was tested during the October 2013 exercise.