| R-29RMU2 Sineva | |
|---|---|
 Sineva launched on 12 December 2015 | |
| Type | SLBM |
| Place of origin | Russia |
| Service history | |
| In service | 2007–present |
| Used by | Russian Navy |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Makeyev Rocket Design Bureau |
| Manufacturer | ZMZ/KMZ |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 40.3 tonnes |
| Length | 14.8 m |
| Diameter | 1.9 m |
| Warhead | 4 MIRV with a yield of 500 kiloton each or 10 MIRV with 100 kiloton yield[1][2] |
| Engine | Three-stageliquid-propellant rocket[3] |
Operational range | 8,300 km (max range),[4] |
Guidance system | Astroinertial,GLONASS |
| Accuracy | 250-500 m[5] |
TheR-29RMU2 Sineva (Russian:Синева, lit. "blueness"), codeRSM-54, is a Russianliquid-fueledsubmarine-launched ballistic missile withGRAU index3M27, designationSS-N-23A Skiff.[citation needed] It can carry four warheads and is designed to be launched fromDelta IV-class submarines, which are armed with 16 missiles each. As of 2017, there are 96 launchers deployed on the submarines.[6]
The first full-range test was reportedly conducted on October 11, 2008; the reported range was 11,547 kilometres (7,175 mi). The R-29RMU2 entered service in 2007 and is expected to remain in service until at least 2030.[citation needed]
Current plans call for the construction of approximately 100 such missiles.[7]
The Sineva missile has reportedly been modified intoR-29RMU2 Layner missile as of 2012.[8]
At its height in 1984, theSoviet Navy conducted over 100SSBN patrols.[9] TheRussian Navy declined during the 1990s, with no SSBN patrols carried out in 2001–2002.[9] The development of the Sineva is part of a program tasked with "preventing the weakening of Russia's nuclear deterrent."[10]
The R-29RMU2 Sineva is seen as a rival to the solid propellantBulava SLBM. Originally, theRussian Navy was slated to receive the Sineva missile in 2002, but the first test was conducted only in 2004. The missile was eventually commissioned in 2007.[citation needed] The missile was reported to carry new nuclear warheads.[11]
Failed Sineva test launches took place during the strategic command exercise “Security-2004” (held 10–18 February 2004), which also included the launch of aMolniya communication satellite and anR-36 missile. The launch failures involving nuclear submarinesNovomoskovsk andKarelia may have been caused by a military satellite blocking the launch signal; this incident did not lead to any serious consequences for the K-407Novomoskovsk strategic nuclear submarine. March 1, 2004 saw then Russian presidentVladimir Putin instructing the acting defence minister to carry out an investigation in order to determine the reason of the launch failures of the three RSM-54 missiles in mid-February.
On 17 March 2004Novomoskovsk of theRussian Northern Fleet performed a successful launch of the RSM-54 Sineva. The missile's two warheads reportedly hit their targets. PresidentVladimir Putin and Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov observed a successful test launch of the Sineva missile from K-84Yekaterinburg. Further successful launches were conducted byYekaterinburg on 8 September 2006. The missile was launched from an ice-covered polar region toward the Chizha test site at the Kanin Peninsula. The three warheads were reported to have successfully reached their targets.
Another successful launch was performed on 4 March 2010 from theBarents Sea. This was followed by more launches on 6 August 2010, whenK-114Tula fired two missiles towards theKura Test Range. Two more launcheswere carried out on 20 May 2011 and 27 July 2011, both successful.[12]
On 5 November 2014,Tula hit targets at theKura Test Range firing from theBarents Sea.[13]
The 27th underwater launch occurred on 12 December 2015; the Russian Ministry of Defence shared video on official YouTube site,[14] and major Russian news channels.[15]
Another successful launch was conducted on 12 October 2016 and one more on 24 August 2019.[16] Six more launches took place on 17 October 2019, 9 December 2020, 19 February 2022, 26 October 2022, 25 October 2023 and 29 October 2024.[17][18][19][20][21]
