This is the third time the first-in-class frigate test fired the hypersonic missile. Prior to today’s test, launches of the hypersonic cruise missile Tsirkon (sometimes spelled Zirkon) took place in early October and in November 2020.
“The lead frigate of project 22350, Admiral of the Fleet of the Soviet Union Gorshkov, performed firing of the hypersonic cruise missile “Zirkon” from the White Sea on the coastal target located at the Chizha range in the Arkhangelsk region. The missile successfully hit the coastal target located at a distance of over 350 km. The missile speed was more than Mach 8″
Russian MoD
About Tsirkon Hypersonic Anti-ship Missile
The first 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.
