Bulava SLBM problems teach lessons to Russia, U.S.

The troubled history of the Russian Bulava submarine-launched ballistic missile program is a textbook example of the problems that can plague an ambitious weapons program -- and how they can be overcome.

As respected Russian military analyst Nikita Petrov wrote for RIA Novosti two months ago, "Russia's navy pins great hopes on the Bulava, which has been plagued by problems for 15 years.

The missile is also the focus of intrigue, with some designers wishing it good luck and others good riddance."

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