Russia’s Defense Ministry reported on Monday that the frigate Admiral Gorshkov successfully test-launched a Tsirkon hypersonic missile from the White Sea hitting a sea target at a range of over 400 km. The Russian Navy Northern Fleet’s frigate Admiral Gorshkov conducted another test-launch as part of the final stage of hypersonic missile armament trials. The Northern Fleet engaged its surface ships and naval aircraft to provide for the test-launch and close off the area.
The test-fire was conducted from the White Sea against a target position located at a distance of over 400 km. The data recorders indicate that the hypersonic missile flight’s complied with the designated parameters. The test-launch from the frigate Admiral of the Fleet of the Soviet Union Gorshkov has been successful and the target has been wiped out. The previous test-fire against a sea target position was successfully conducted by the frigate’s crew two weeks ago.
The state trials of the Tsirkon hypersonic missile would begin in November and continue in December. Overall, five test-launches against sea and coastal targets are planned. It was also reported that two Tsirkon hypersonic missile test-launches conducted from the nuclear-powered submarine Severodvinsk on October 4 for the first time paved the way for the missile’s state trials from a surface carrier. November 18, a Tsirkon hypersonic missile test-launched from the Northern Fleet’s frigate Admiral Gorshkov struck a naval target in the White Sea with a direct hit.
The 3M22 Zircon also spelled as 3M22 Tsirkon (NATO reporting name: SS-N-33) is a scramjet powered maneuvering anti-ship hypersonic cruise missile currently in testing by Russia. The missile’s range is estimated to be 135 to 270 nautical miles at low level, and up to 400 nmi in a semi-ballistic trajectory; average range is around 400–450 km . The Research and Production Association of Machine-Building based in the town of Reutovo in the Moscow Region had commenced work on the serial production of Tsirkon hypersonic cruise missiles for the Russian Navy.
