Russia’s hypersonic Zircon cruise missile to be fitted on newest corvette – Putin

The highly-maneuverable hypersonic missile known as the Zircon will be installed on the Navy’s top-notch corvette, which is due to enter service next month.

Russian President Vladimir Putin stepped aboard the Gremyashchiy (thunderous) corvette while visiting a shipyard in Russia’s westernmost region, Kaliningrad, on Thursday.

The latest vessel was originally designed to carry 3M-54 Kalibr cruise missiles, but its captain said the ship can also be fitted very well with 3M22 Zircon sea-based hypersonic missiles, which are currently in development. The president confirmed that “the Zircons will certainly be there.”

The Zircon missile is described as one of the crown jewels in Moscow’s rearmament program, which includes several types of maneuverable hypersonic missiles. It would be able to travel at the speed of 9,000kph (5,593mph) and destroy seaborne and ground targets more than 1,000km (620 miles) away.

Earlier reports indicated that the missile will be test-fired from a ship near the end of this year, and will be launched for the first time from a submarine in 2020.

Launched two years ago, the Gremyashchiy is currently completing sea trials and is due to officially join the Pacific Fleet in late December. It is designed to combat submarines and other vessels, as well as assist in amphibious assaults.

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