Nuclear powered sub to be in operation

Russian authorities announced Friday the newest nuclear-powered submarine carrying intercontinental ballistic missiles would be put into use later this year. The United Shipbuilding Corp. told RIA Novosti the Yury Dolgoruky would be put into operation in the second quarter of the year. Construction on the Borey-class sub began in 1996 and was completed in 2008. The crew of 130 will be armed with 16 Bulava intercontinental ballistic missiles and six cruise missiles. A company official said it was yet to be decided when the Bulava missile would enter service. The Bulava has a troubled past. President Dmitry Medvedev said in December the Bulava would be adopted for Russian military, however, only 11 of the 19 test launches were successful. Pavel Felgenhauer said of the first 12 launches, only one was successful. The Russian military has insisted despite the inconsistencies, there is no alternative to the Bulava. The Bulava missile has a range of more than 5,000 miles and is designed for use on Borey-class submarines.