The new Russian Zircon hypersonic missile
According to a statement from the TASS news agency, the 3M22 Zircon hypersonic cruise missile would enter service by the end of the year with the Russian Navy. The news comes from a source consulted by the media, which indicated that its deployment in surface units is close.
The 3M22 Zircon hypersonic cruise missile is a scramjet-type developed by the Russian NPO Mashinostroyeniya. Primarily to be used by the Russian Navy to target surface attacks. NATO Knows it as SS-N-33. Report collected from observed launch tests The 3M22 Zircons’ speed can reach up between Mach 5 to Mach 9.
In 2019 Putin himself revealed its existence of development and production. Since then, its development has been on track, formalizing in August 2021 the first missile order by the Ministry of Russian defense.
According to sources consulted by the Russian Ministry of Defense, The official deployment of the 3M22 Zircon will occur in September.
The date suggests the missile completed Russian Navy tests and evaluations. one of the recent tests of 3M22 Zircon was launched in the Barents Sea in May.
The missile was fired by the Admiral Gorshkov frigate, the flagship of the Russian Navy’s Northern Fleet. It was aimed at a surface target that was 1,000 kilometers away.
