Investigators have established that the...

"An investigation commission established in December that a design flaw in the device which controls the separation of the third stage had caused the latest failure of the Bulava missile," the source said.

It is the first time the Russian industry officials admit that there are problems with the original design of the submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM), which Russia hopes will be a key element of its nuclear forces.

The latest launch of the missile from the Dmitry Donskoy nuclear submarine in the White Sea ended in failure in early December 2009. Only five of 12 Bulava launches have been officially reported as being successful.

Earlier official statements cited a number of reasons for the failures of Bulava tests, including faulty components, attempts to replace specific materials with cheaper substitutes and obsolete manufacturing equipment.

The further development of the Bulava has been questioned by some lawmakers and defense industry experts,

Pages: [1] 2