3M22 Zircon Hypersonic #Missile in Development Testing for #Russia Navy Kirov-class #Cruiser https://t.co/l2AoIXTzwK pic.twitter.com/2mIE4qeevM— NavyRecognition (@NavyRecognition) February 19, 2016
Dave Majumdar, National Interest: Breaking: Russia Tests New Hypersonic Cruise Missile
Russia has apparently started testing a new hypersonic cruise missile called the 3M22 Zircon. The new weapon will equip Moscow’s modernized Project 11442 Kirov-class nuclear-powered battlecruisers and its next-generation nuclear submarines.
“The tests of the hypersonic Zircon missiles have begun using a ground-based launching site,” a Russian defense industry source told state-owned RIA Novosti media outlet.
The new missiles Mach 5.0-Mach 6.0 would replace the Pyotr Velikyi’s and its sister ship Admiral Nakhimov’s existing 390-mile range P-700 Granit supersonic anti-ship missile armament. While the Zircon range will likely be shorter—about 250 miles—its sheer speed will make it extremely difficult to intercept with current missile defense technology.
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Update: Russia tests new hypersonic cruise missile (Statesman)
WNU Editor: The key sentence in this post is the following ....
.... its sheer speed will make it extremely difficult to intercept with current missile defense technology.
This missile is still in the testing and development phase, but if successful it will undermine current missile defense systems.
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