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| Russian Missile Fizzles |
| 2004-02-18 |
| A Russian ballistic missile self-destructed moments after taking off from a submarine Wednesday, the second failed test launch in two days of maneuvers meant to display the country’s military might. Oops, they did it again! President Vladimir Putin didn’t mention the failure, but said Russia would soon get new strategic weapons that would protect the country for years to come. "Cuz the old ones suck" He also said the Moscow might develop a missile defense system. We offered to share, but did you listen? Putin didn’t offer specifics about the new weapons - presumably a new generation of missiles - but said they will be "capable of hitting targets continents away with hypersonic speed, high precision and the ability of wide maneuver." "Plus, they’re invisible and come in seven flavors!" The massive exercises have been described as the largest in more than 20 years, and come less than a month before a presidential election Putin is expected to win. The opposition being kidnapped and beaten. They are broadly seen as part of campaign efforts aimed at playing up Putin’s image as a leader determined to restore Russia’s military power and global clout. But two launch failures in as many days were an embarrassment for Putin and further tarnish the image of the Russian military, which has been plagued by chronic funding shortages, low morale and frequent crashes and accidents. And those are on good days. The missile launched from the Karelia submarine on Wednesday veered from its flight path less than two minutes after take-off, triggering its self-destruct system, Russian Navy spokesman Capt. Igor Dygalo told The Associated Press. No one was hurt, he said in a telephone interview. Look at the bright side, the sub didn’t blow up this time. That came a day after a missile failed to launch from the Novomoskovsk submarine. Russian officials and media had conflicting statements about the reason for the failure. The naval chief, Adm. Vladimir Kuroyedov, ended up saying Tuesday that the navy had never planned a real launch and successfully conducted what he described as an imitation "electronic" one. "Launch? What launch?" |
| Posted by:Steve |
| #12 Were they nuke missiles? That would make the headline "Fissile missiles fizzled." Try saying that fast five times. |
| Posted by: Fred 2004-2-18 4:11:14 PM |
| #11 was it a giant typoon class sub, those beasts are incredable, i think there something around 28,000tons underwater |
| Posted by: Jon Shep U.K 2004-2-18 3:10:29 PM |
| #10 Russian technology. The best in the world!....for its price....when it doesn't blow up prematurely or fall apart, or decay, rust, crash, implode......okay maybe this isn't the best example to use. |
| Posted by: Valentine 2004-2-18 3:01:55 PM |
| #9 Mostly off topic, but I couldn't let it pass. George (contain their asses) Kennan turned 100 yesterday. Last tag, he wins. |
| Posted by: Shipman 2004-2-18 2:14:11 PM |
| #8 Wasn't the Kursk carrying torpedoes with some sort of hydrogen-peroxide as fuel? I think the UK lost a submarine while in a harbor to the same thing back in the 50s or 60s. |
| Posted by: Laurence of the Rats 2004-2-18 2:12:08 PM |
| #7 Wasn't the Kursk carrying torpedoes with some sort of hydrogen-peroxide as fuel? I think the UK lost a submarine while in a harbor to the same thing back in the 50s or 60s. |
| Posted by: Laurence of the Rats 2004-2-18 2:12:00 PM |
| #6 Raj, I think Kursk was torpedo fuel that was too volatile. My only sub ride lasted two days. I was glad to be back above the waves. Don't mind being a submariner for a short time but it's been said eternity last forever. |
| Posted by: Super Hose 2004-2-18 1:23:56 PM |
| #5 Remember the |
| Posted by: Raj 2004-2-18 12:15:14 PM |
| #4 It's what they get for using those off-brand rocket engines instead of genuine Estes. |
| Posted by: Mike 2004-2-18 11:59:46 AM |
| #3 Heh and here I was saying I suspect that these missiles will explode prematurely when I first heard about the Russkies doing a nuke missile test. Man I'm a regular Cassandra....no wait..stop ignoring me guys! arghh! hehehe ;) |
| Posted by: Valentine 2004-2-18 11:45:47 AM |
| #2 Saw a missile shoot kiboshed due to condensation backup in a fanroom hummidification line flood a launcher equipment room. I don't think subs usually have that problem. |
| Posted by: Super Hose 2004-2-18 11:37:29 AM |
| #1 At least the sub didn't sink this time. |
| Posted by: Laurence of the Rats 2004-2-18 11:31:26 AM |