Story by TASS Russian news agency
“A new launch of the missile is planned from the Gorshkov in September,” a source said. Another source confirmed the plan and said “two missiles may be fired at two targets.”
The Admiral Gorshkov for the first time fired Tsirkon early this year in the Barents Sea. The hypersonic missile flew over 500 km and hit a coastal target.
In July, the Defense Ministry said Tsirkon trials were on schedule. The launches confirmed range and precision characteristics and the hypersonic speed.
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About Tsirkon Hypersonic Anti-ship Missile
Tsirkon test launch from a warship was scheduled in late 2019, but took place in January 2020. The Admiral Gorshkov frigate of project 22350 fired the missile from the Barents Sea.
Open sources said the hypersonic 3M-22 missile was designed by NPO-machinostroeniya in Reutov in Moscow region. It is a part of 3K-22 (Tsirkon code) complex which NATO reports as SS-N-33. The missile can develop a speed of Mach 9 and fly at an altitude of 30-40 km where the range and speed increase as air resistance is smaller. Experts estimate the payload at 300-400 kg and the missile length at 8-10 meters. Tsirkon is to be fired from universal vertical launchers 3S-14 on warships and submarines and from Bastion mobile coastal missile launchers.
