国际英语新闻：Russia to test-launch more Bulava tests this year

MOSCOW, Oct. 8 (Xinhua) -- A test launch of the new Russian intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) Bulava from the Yuri Dolgoruki nuclear submarine would be conducted before the year-end, a senior Russian Navy officer said Friday.

Before that, the next, 14th, test launch of Bulava would be made from the nuclear submarine Dmitri Donskoi, the Interfax news agency reported.

The test launch from the Yuri Dolgoruki, the vessel for which it was designed, would be made only if the 14th test was successful, the officer said.

The 13th test of Bulava conducted on Thursday was successful. The missile started from Dmitri Donskoi's shaft and destroyed a target in Kamchatka peninsula 20 minutes later.

Of the 13 completed tests, Thursday's was only the sixth successful. A previous test in December 2009 failed, and this launch had been delayed several times.

Strategic nuclear missile submarine Yuri Dolgoruki will be one of three submarines of that class to carry the Bulava.

Bulava, with a range of 8,000 km, can carry up to 10 warheads with a yield of 150 kilotons each. It will serve as the principal Russian ICBM until 2045.