MOSCOW, December 15: A cruise missile tested yesterday by its manufacturer NPO Mashinostroyeniya failed on a test flight and crashed into a three storey building at the town of Nenoksa in the Arkhangelsk region in northern Russia.
According to a company statement, the missile experienced an ‘abnormal situation’ after launch from a Russian Defense ministry test range. The missile diverged from its pre-planned trajectory and escaped the range’s safe zone. After a short flight the missile fell near the town of Nenoksa located only two kilometers from the launch site. According to the company statement, as the missile did not penetrate the building, only minor damage was caused to the building. “According to local media, the roof and four apartments in a three-story house were damaged.” Russian news agency Tass reported. A commission of industry representatives is working at the place where the missile fell,” the defense ministry’s statement said. “No facilities were destroyed and no one was injured as a result of the incident.” it said.
Among the current test programs is the air launched BrahMos. The Indo-Russian JV is scheduled to conduct four test flight over six months, until mid 2016. The tests are performed on a specially modified Su-30MKI. Three flights will use a dummy missile and a final test involving the complete missile, is scheduled for April 2016.
