Posted On Friday, 08 October 2021 14:08
Two successful launches of the Tsirkon hypersonic missile from the Severodvinsk nuclear-powered submarine (NATO reporting name: Severodvinsk-class) will pave the way for its state trials from the Admiral Gorshkov frigate (Admiral Gorshkov class) by the end of the year, a source in the defense industry told TASS.
Artist rendering of hypersonic missile 3M22 Zircon (Tsirkon) SS-N-33
After Tsirkon successful tests from a submarine there are no obstacles to beginning government certification tests from a surface ship," he said. The source added that the certification tests were to begin in November. One or two launches may be carried out by the end of the year.
The developer and manufacturer of the missile, NPO Mashinostroyenia (an affiliate of the Tactical Missiles Corporation) in Reutov, near Moscow, have refrained from comment.
Earlier, another source told TASS that Tsirkon flight tests from the frigate The Admiral Gorshkov had been completed successfully.
On October 4, the Russian Defense Ministry said there had been two test launches of the Tsirkon missile from the submarine of project 885 The Severodvinsk. One missile was launched while the submarine was beneath the surface, and another, from a surface position. The submarine's missile control systems and the missile proper performed normally without flaws. The Defense Ministry said the goals of the tests had been achieved. The missile's underwater launch was practiced and verified. The Northern Fleet's commander Alexander Moiseyev later reported to Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu the missile's test launches from a submarine had been successful.
Naval News comments:
The first-in-class frigate 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. 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.
