TASS Russian news agency
Chief of the Russian General Staff Valery Gerasimov said:
“The trials of the Tsirkon shipborne missile system are successfully coming to an end. These trials proved the possibility of launching this hypersonic missile from both a surface ship and a nuclear-powered submarine from the submerged position,”
The Russian Navy built up its capabilities in the close-in and distant maritime areas “due to the deliveries of advanced submarines and surface ships,” he said.
“In August this year, six new ships were laid down for the Navy,” the Russian General Staff chief added.
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Naval News comments:
The first-in-class frigate Admiral Gorshkov test fired the Tsirkon (sometimes spelled Zirkon) hypersonic missile four times last year: In December, in early October and in November 2020. The first Tsirkon test launch from a warship was scheduled in late 2019, but took place in January 2020. A ground target was hit for the first time during a test conducted in July 2021. The missile was tested for the first time from Yasen-class submarine K-560 Severodvinsk in October 2021. Mass production of the missile has started.
Open sources said the hypersonic 3M-22 missile was designed by NPO-Mashinostroeniya 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.
