Engineering:3M22 Zircon

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Short description: Russian hypersonic anti-ship missile
3M22 Zircon
3M22 Циркон
TypeAnti-ship missile
Hypersonic cruise missile
Submarine-launched cruise missile
Land-attack missile
Place of originRussia
Service history
In serviceIn service (4 January 2023)[1][2]
Used byRussian Navy
Production history
DesignerNPO Mashinostroyeniya
ManufacturerNPO Mashinostroyeniya
Unit cost~$210 million (estimate)[3]
Produced2021–present[4]
Specifications
Length9 m (30 ft)
Diameter60 cm (24 in)
Effective firing range1,000 km (620 mi)
Maximum firing range1,000 km (620 mi)
Warhead> 300 HE, >200 kt nuclear
Warhead weight300–400 kg (660–880 lb)[5][6]
EngineScramjet
PropellantLiquid - "Decilin-M" (Russian: Децилин-М)[7]
Operational
range
>1,000 km (540 nmi; 620 mi)[8][9][10]
Flight altitude28 km (92,000 ft)[11]
SpeedMach 9 (6,851 mph; 11,025 km/h; 3.0626 km/s) (Max)[12][13]
Launch
platform
Submarine, Surface ship,
Land-based (in development)[14]

The 3M22 Zircon[15] also spelled as 3M22 Tsirkon (Russian: Циркон, NATO reporting name: SS-N-33)[16] is a scramjet-powered, nuclear-capable hypersonic cruise missile produced by Russia[17][18] for the Russian Navy, with launch platforms on frigates and submarines.[19] A land-attack version is reportedly in development.[14]

Development

Russian MoD Zircon coverage

Zircon is reported to represent a further development of the Hypersonic Experimental Flying Vehicle (HELA) developed by NPO Mashinostroyeniya.[20]

In April 2017, Russian state media, TASS, reported that Zircon had reached a speed of Mach 8 (6,090 mph; 9,800 km/h; 2,722.3 m/s) during a flight test.[12] Zircon was again test-fired on 3 June 2017, almost a year earlier than had been announced by Russian officials.[21] In November 2017, Colonel General Viktor Bondarev told TASS that the missile was already in service.[22] Another flight test reportedly occurred on 10 December 2018, during which the missile demonstrated that it could attain a speed of Mach 8.[23]

On 20 February 2019, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that the missile can accelerate up to Mach 9 and destroy both sea and land targets within 1,000 km (540 nmi; 620 mi).[13][24] By the year's end, on 24 December 2019, Putin stated that Zircon's land-based version was in development.[14]

According to the commander in chief of the Russian Navy Nikolai Yevmenov, as of January 2020, Zircon was still in testing phase and despite the overall positive evaluation of the test program, still suffered from teething problems. Modernized frigates are expected to be the first platform to receive the hypersonic missile, and the tests are to be continued in parallel with the Navy's armament with the Kalibr cruise missile. Yevmenov further stated Zircon is expected to enter service "in the coming years".[25] In early January 2020, Zircon was first test-launched from the frigate Admiral Gorshkov in the Barents Sea, and successfully hit a ground target in the Northern Urals, exceeding the distance of 500 km.[26]

On 7 October 2020, the Russian Chief of General Staff, Valery Gerasimov, stated a Zircon was launched from Admiral Gorshkov in the White Sea and successfully hit a sea target in the Barents Sea 450 km (280 mi) away, reportedly reaching a speed of "more than Mach 8" and altitude of 28 km (17 mi).[11]

On 26 November 2020, the Russian Defense Ministry announced the successful test of a missile launched from Admiral Gorshkov in the White Sea, hitting a naval target 450 km away in the Barents Sea.[27]

On 11 December 2020, the Russian Defense Ministry announced the successful test of a missile launched from Admiral Gorshkov in the White Sea, hitting a ground target 350 km away in the Arkhangelsk Region.[28]

On 19 July 2021, the Russian Defense Ministry announced the successful test of a missile launched from Admiral Gorshkov in the White Sea, hitting a ground target 350 km away on the coast of the Barents Sea. The flight speed reached nearly Mach 7.[29]

The flight tests of the missile from a coastal mount and a surface ship carrier were reportedly completed as of late September 2021 with over 10 launches performed.[30]

On 4 October 2021, the Russian Defense Ministry announced the successful test of a missile launched from a nuclear submarine for the first time from a surfaced position. The Defense Ministry, which tested firing the Zircon missile from a warship in July, said that the nuclear submarine Severodvinsk fired the missile while deployed in the Barents Sea and had hit its chosen target. Low-quality video footage released by the ministry showed the missile shooting upwards from a submarine, its glare lighting up the night sky and illuminating the water's surface.[31][32] A second submerged launch from a depth of 40 m was reported later the same day.[33] The next day it was reported that the missile's trials from the submarine have been completed.[34]

A Zircon hypersonic missile test-launched from the Northern Fleet's frigate Admiral Flota Sovetskogo Soyuza Gorshkov struck a naval target in the White Sea with a direct hit, Russia's Defense Ministry reported on 18 November 2021.[35]

The crew of the Northern Fleet frigate Admiral Gorshkov, as part of the completion of the cycle of tests of hypersonic missile weapons, fired another Zircon missile at a sea target on November 29 and another one at a coastal target on December 16.[36][37] The Tsirkon hypersonic system was salvo-launched on December 24, 2021, and again launched on February 19, 2022.[38][39] On 28 May 2022, the Russian Ministry of Defense released a video and news of a new test-launch where a Zircon missile hit a sea target at a distance of 1,000 km (620 mi) in the White Sea.[40] The program of state trials was reportedly completed with that launch.[41][42]

On 18 July 2022, it was reported that Zircon would be adopted by the Russian Navy by the end of 2022.[43]

On 31 July 2022, speaking in St Petersburg on Russia's Naval Day, President Vladimir Putin announced that the Black Sea Fleet would be equipped with Zircon anti-ship hypersonic cruise missiles "in the coming months".[44]

Two contracts have been signed for the production of the missile - one in the summer of 2021 and one in the fall of 2022.[45]

On 3 November 2022, TASS announced the design and manufacture of a prototype mobile ground vehicle launcher for the Tsirkon as part of a coastal defense missile system.[46]

On 23 December 2022, Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu announced the reception by the Admiral Gorshkov frigate of a batch of Zircon missiles.[47]

Design

Zircon is believed to be a maneuvering, winged hypersonic cruise missile with a lift-generating center body. A booster stage with solid-fuel engines accelerates it to supersonic speeds, after which a scramjet motor with liquid-fuel (Decilin (ru); JP-10 jet fuel) in the second stage accelerates it to hypersonic speeds.[18][48]

The missile's range is estimated to be 135 to 270 nautical miles (155 to 311 mi; 250 to 500 km) at low level, and up to 400 nmi (460 mi; 740 km) in a semi-ballistic trajectory;[49] average range is around 400–450 km (250–280 mi; 220–240 nmi).[50] According to Russian media (2017), the longest possible range is 540 nmi (620 mi; 1,000 km) and for this purpose a new fuel was created.[51][52][53] Some internet sources even claim the range of missile can reach 1,000 - 2,000 km, depending on the type of target.[9]

The high speed of the Zircon likely gives it better target-penetration characteristics than lighter subsonic cruise-missiles, such as Tomahawk. Being twice as heavy and almost eleven times as fast as Tomahawk, the Zircon has more than 242 times the on-cruise kinetic energy of a Tomahawk missile (≈9 gigajoules, or equal to 2,150 kg TNT explosive energy). Its claimed Mach 9 speed would mean that it cannot be intercepted by existing missile defence systems, and its precision would make it lethal to large targets such as aircraft carriers.[54][55]

Zircon can travel at a speed of Mach 8 (6,090 mph; 9,800 km/h; 2.7223 km/s). This has led to concerns[neutrality is disputed] that it could stand a higher chance at penetrating existing naval defence systems.[56] Because it flies at hypersonic speeds within the atmosphere, air pressure in front of it forms a plasma cloud as it moves, absorbing radio waves and making it practically invisible to active radar systems (plasma stealth) during its hypersonic cruise phase.[57] However, this also blinds any radar or IR seeker on the missile, meaning it has likely slowed to a speed short of Mach 5-6 in its terminal phase to strike a moving target (such as a warship). Even with this speed, a Zircon missile would still represent a substantial challenge to shipboard air defences. A warship’s radar and electronic support measures (ESM) sensors would detect a missile flying on a low-altitude trajectory at distances of 22 km. From this point, assuming the missile is a Zircon flying at speeds of Mach 5–6, the vessel would have only 12 seconds to react. Moreover, given that kinetic energy is the single best predictor of lethality against large targets (more so than warhead size), the high speed of the Zircon would seem to make it an optimal vector of attack against larger vessels. [58]

Zircon exchanges information in flight and can be controlled by commands if necessary.[59]

Deployment

In January 2023[60] Zircon was first deployed on the Admiral Gorshkov-class frigate which is lead ship of the Project 22350 series of frigates.

As of 2023, Admiral Nakhimov is being modernised in order to start sea trials. The ship's P-700 Granit anti-ship missiles are being replaced with the 3S14 universal VLS cells capable of carrying the Oniks, Kalibr and Zircon anti-ship cruise missiles; the vessel is to be equipped with 72 such missiles. The other active Kirov-class ship, Pyotr Velikiy, will undergo a similar procedure.[61] After completion of their refit, the ships could carry 40–80 anti-ship cruise missiles of different types.[62]

Other platforms which will receive Zircons are Gremyashchiy-class corvettes (fitted with UKSK VLS cells during their construction), Yasen-class submarines, modernised Udaloy-class destroyers, and modernised Oscar-class submarines (Project 949AM).[63]

Export

The CEO of the joint Indo-Russian BrahMos programme, Atul Rane, stated in 2022, a future BrahMos-II missile for India will likely have similar characteristics to the Zircon.[64][65]

According to a report published on 1 April 2023, India has requested Russia to transfer the technology of 3M22 Zircon.[66][67]

Operators

  • Russian Navy

See also


References

  1. ↑ "Russia's Admiral Gorshkov frigate begins trip across Atlantic, Indian Oceans". https://tass.com/defense/1558937. 
  2. ↑ "ЦАМТО / / Сергей Шойгу сообщил о начале серийного производства гиперзвуковых ракет "Циркон"". https://armstrade.org/includes/periodics/news/2022/0822/084069118/detail.shtml. 
  3. ↑ "How Russia's Zircon Hypersonic Missiles Could Turn the Tide of Ukraine War". https://www.newsweek.com/how-russias-zircon-hypersonic-missiles-could-turn-tide-ukraine-war-1711296. 
  4. ↑ "Russia's top brass signs deal on delivery of Tsirkon hypersonic missiles to troops". https://tass.com/defense/1329473. 
  5. ↑ "В России рассказали о работе над гиперзвуковой ракетой "Циркон"" (in ru). Expert. 30 August 2019. https://expert.ru/2019/08/30/v-rossii-rasskazali-o-rabote-nad-giperzvukovoj-raketoj-tsirkon/. 
  6. ↑ "Putin Reveals Zircon Mach 9 Missile Specification". Aviation International News. 22 February 2019. https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/defense/2019-02-22/putin-reveals-zircon-mach-9-missile-specification. 
  7. ↑ "Программа создания гиперзвуковых ракет достигла стадии летных испытаний" (in ru). TASS. 17 March 2016. https://tass.ru/armiya-i-opk/2748782. 
  8. ↑ "News Archives". https://www.theceomagazine.com/business/news/. 
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 "Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation: tests of the Zircon hypersonic missile have been successfully completed". https://avia-pro.net/news/minoborony-rf-ispytaniya-giperzvukovoy-rakety-cirkon-uspeshno-zaversheny. 
  10. ↑ ""Подтвердили характеристики»: завершаются испытания ракеты «Циркон"". https://www.gazeta.ru/army/2020/07/26/13166185.shtml. 
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 "Russia Says This Is Our First Glimpse of Its Zircon Hypersonic Cruise Missile". The War Zone. 7 October 2020. https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/36945/russia-says-this-is-our-first-glimpse-of-its-zircon-hypersonic-cruise-missile. 
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 "Russia's hypersonic Zircon anti-ship missile reaches eight times speed of sound". TASS. 15 April 2017. http://tass.com/defense/941559. 
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 "Putin Reveals Zircon Mach 9 Missile Specification". 22 February 2019. https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/defense/2019-02-22/putin-reveals-zircon-mach-9-missile-specification. 
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 14.2 "Работы по МБР "Сармат", гиперзвуковому "Циркону", аппарату "Посейдон" идут по плану - Путин" (in ru). Interfax. https://www.militarynews.ru/story.asp?rid=1&nid=524258&lang=RU. 
  15. ↑ "Analysis: 3K22 and 3M22 Zircon, the Next Generation Hypersonic Missile of the Russian Navy". Navy Recognition (TASS). 7 April 2016. http://www.navyrecognition.com/index.php/focus-analysis/naval-technology/3810-analysis-3k22-and-3m22-zircon-the-next-generation-hypersonic-missile-of-the-russian-navy.html. 
  16. ↑ CMANO:WOTY DB
  17. ↑ "Russia develops hypersonic 4,600 mph Zircon missile". Fox News. 1 April 2017. http://www.foxnews.com/tech/2017/04/01/russia-develops-hypersonic-4600-mph-zircon-missile.html. 
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 "Эксперт рассказал о суперспособности ракеты "Циркон" преодолеть системы ПРО". РЕН ТВ. 15 April 2017. http://ren.tv/novosti/2017-04-15/ekspert-rasskazal-o-supersposobnosti-rakety-cirkon-preodolet-sistemy-pro. 
  19. ↑ McDermott, Roger (4 February 2022). "The Role of Hypersonic Weapons in Russian Military Strategy". The Jamestown Foundation. https://jamestown.org/program/the-role-of-hypersonic-weapons-in-russian-military-strategy/. 
  20. ↑ Ivanov, Yuri (17 April 2017). "Гиперзвуковая ракета "Циркон" ослабит позиции США" (in ru). ОРУЖИЕ РОССИИ. http://www.arms-expo.ru/news/novye_razrabotki/giperzvukovaya_raketa_tsirkon_oslabit_pozitsii_ssha/?sphrase_id=12237855. 
  21. ↑ Marsden, Harriet (3 June 2017). "New Russian missile 'makes Western defences obselete'". The Independent. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/russia-hypersonic-zircon-missile-system-testing-successful-putin-sputnik-defence-obsolete-a7770641.html. 
  22. ↑ "Бондарев: ВС РФ имеют гиперзвуковые ракеты "Циркон" и ракеты донного базирования "Скиф"". TASS. 21 November 2017. http://tass.ru/armiya-i-opk/4746647. 
  23. ↑ "Russia again successfully tests ship-based hypersonic missile — which will likely be ready for combat by 2022". CNBC. 20 December 2018. https://www.cnbc.com/2018/12/20/russia-tests-hypersonic-missile-that-could-be-ready-for-war-by-2022.html. 
  24. ↑ "Russia Test-Fires Hypersonic Missile from a Submarine for the First Time - October 5, 2021" (in en-US). 2021-10-05. https://dailynewsbrief.com/2021/10/05/russia-test-fires-hypersonic-missile-from-a-submarine-for-the-first-time/. 
  25. ↑ "Russian Navy's Top Officer Says Shadowy Zircon Hypersonic Missile Has "Childhood Diseases"". 21 January 2020. https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/31908/russian-navys-top-officer-says-shadowy-zircon-hypersonic-missile-has-childhood-diseases. 
  26. ↑ "Russia test-launches Tsirkon hypersonic missile from ship for first time". TASS. 27 February 2020. https://tass.com/defense/1124339. 
  27. ↑ "Russia test-launches Tsirkon hypersonic missile". Dailynewsegypt. 26 November 2020. https://dailynewsegypt.com/2020/11/26/russia-test-launches-tsirkon-hypersonic-missile/. 
  28. ↑ "Russian Navy frigate test-fires Tsirkon hypersonic missile from White Sea". Tass news agency. 1 January 2021. https://tass.com/defense/1234027. 
  29. ↑ "Tsirkon missile confirms tactical and technical characteristics during test — top brass". https://tass.com/defense/1315213. 
  30. ↑ "Russia completes flight trials of Tsirkon hypersonic missile from surface ships — source". https://tass.com/defense/1343575. 
  31. ↑ "Russia test fires submarine-launched hypersonic Tsirkon missile for first time". 4 October 2021. https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/russia-test-fires-submarine-launched-hypersonic-tsirkon-missile-first-time-2021-10-04/. 
  32. ↑ "Tsirkon missile's first test launch from sub successfully conducted in Barents Sea". https://tass.com/defense/1345253. 
  33. ↑ "Submarine Severodvinsk carries out underwater launch of Tsirkon missile". https://tass.com/defense/1345401. 
  34. ↑ "Tsirkon missile's trials from sub completed, says commander". https://tass.com/defense/1345869. 
  35. ↑ "ЦАМТО / / С борта фрегата "Адмирал Горшков" выполнен успешный пуск гиперзвуковой ракеты "Циркон"". https://armstrade.org/includes/periodics/news/2021/1118/131065317/detail.shtml. 
  36. ↑ "ЦАМТО / / С борта фрегата "Адмирал Горшков" выполнен испытательный пуск гиперзвуковой ракеты "Циркон"". https://armstrade.org/includes/periodics/news/2021/1129/134065461/detail.shtml. 
  37. ↑ "Russian frigate successfully hits target with Tsirkon hypersonic missile from White Sea". https://tass.com/defense/1376315. 
  38. ↑ "Putin lauds successful test-launch of Tsirkon hypersonic missile". https://tass.com/defense/1380629. 
  39. ↑ "All missiles hit targets during Russia's strategic drills directed by Putin — Kremlin". https://tass.com/defense/1406409. 
  40. ↑ "Фрегат "Адмирал Флота Советского Союза Горшков" выполнил испытательную стрельбу ракетой "Циркон" в Баренцевом море" (in ru). https://vk.com/wall-133441491_765769. 
  41. ↑ "Tsirkon hypersonic missile state trials for naval carriers successfully completed — source". https://tass.com/defense/1458187. 
  42. ↑ "Russian frigate Admiral Gorshkov wraps up cycle of Tsirkon hypersonic missile tests". https://tass.com/defense/1459025. 
  43. ↑ ""Циркон" надводного базирования могут принять на вооружение ВМФ до конца года" (in ru). 18 July 2022. https://tass.ru/armiya-i-opk/15240179. 
  44. ↑ Ians (31 July 2022). "Russian Forces to get Zircon hypersonic missiles in coming months: Putin". Business Standard India (Business Standard Private Ltd.). https://www.business-standard.com/article/international/russian-forces-to-get-zircon-hypersonic-missiles-in-coming-months-putin-122073100924_1.html. 
  45. ↑ "Additional contract signed on production of Tsirkon hypersonic missiles — source". 12 November 2022. https://tass.com/russia/1535611. 
  46. ↑ "Russia designs mobile launcher for Tsirkon hypersonic missile – source". TASS. 3 November 2022. https://tass.com/defense/1532365. 
  47. ↑ "Analysis: Russia uses new hypersonic missiles in Ukraine which cannot be intercepted". Army Recognition. 24 December 2022. https://www.armyrecognition.com/defense_news_december_2022_global_security_army_industry/analysis_russia_uses_new_hypersonic_missiles_in_ukraine_which_cannot_be_intercepted.html. 
  48. ↑ "Российские ракеты "Циркон" делают американский "Джеральд Форд" "авианедоносцем".  | Блог Малюта | КОНТ". cont.ws. https://cont.ws/@skuratoff/218513. 
  49. ↑ Russia and India Test Hypersonic and Supersonic Missiles - Ainonline.com, 25 April 2017
  50. ↑ Dave Majumdar (2016-04-22). "Russia's Lethal Hypersonic Zirkon Cruise Missile to Enter Production". The National Interest Blog. http://nationalinterest.org/blog/the-buzz/russias-lethal-hypersonic-zircon-cruise-missile-enter-15909. 
  51. ↑ "Для гиперзвуковых крылатых ракет в России создано принципиально новое топливо". Вести. 2017-05-19. http://www.vesti.ru/doc.html?id=2732278. 
  52. ↑ "Российские ракеты "Циркон" делают американский "Джеральд Форд" "авианедоносцем". | Блог Малюта | КОНТ". Cont.ws. https://cont.ws/@skuratoff/218513. 
  53. ↑ "Ракеты "Циркон" окончательно определили технологическое превосходство России над США". Русская политика. 2016-10-28. http://ruspolitica.ru/post/raketyi-tsirkon-okonchatelno-opredelili-tehnologicheskoe-prevoshodstvo-rossii-nad-ssha/. 
  54. ↑ Makichuk, Dave (July 19, 2021). "Russia's 'invincible' Zircon missile hits test target". https://asiatimes.com/2021/07/putins-invincible-zircon-missile-hits-test-target/. 
  55. ↑ Hypersonic Weapons: Background and Issues for Congress
  56. ↑ Mizokami, Kyle (2016-04-26). "Russia's Putting Hypersonic Missiles on Its Battlecruisers". Popularmechanics.com. http://www.popularmechanics.com/military/weapons/a20565/russia-hypersonic-missiles-battlecruisers/. 
  57. ↑ "3M22 Zircon – Missile Defence Advocacy Alliance". https://missiledefenseadvocacy.org/missile-threat-and-proliferation/todays-missile-threat/russia/3m22-zircon/. 
  58. ↑ https://www.rusi.org/explore-our-research/publications/commentary/zircon-how-much-threat-does-russias-hypersonic-missile-pose
  59. ↑ ""Циркон" выходит на рабочую скорость". 2017-04-17. https://vz.ru/society/2017/4/17/866694.html. 
  60. ↑ "Russia's Admiral Gorshkov frigate begins trip across Atlantic, Indian Oceans". https://tass.com/defense/1558937. 
  61. ↑ Виктория Фоменко (2016-05-17). "Опаснее "Калибра": Россия начала испытание гиперзвуковой ракеты "Циркон" - Газета Труд". http://www.trud.ru/article/17-03-2016/1335410_opasnee_kalibra_rossija_nachala_ispytanie_giperzvukovoj_rakety_tsirkon.html. 
  62. ↑ "Начались испытания гиперзвуковой ракеты "Циркон"". 2016-03-17. https://rg.ru/2016/03/17/nachalis-letnye-ispytaniia-giperzvukovoj-rakety-cirkon.html. 
  63. ↑ "[Actu Le missile 3M22 Tsirkon"]. 8 October 2021. https://redsamovar.com/2021/10/08/actu-le-missile-3m22-tsirkon/. 
  64. ↑ "Modified Version Of BrahMos Anti-Ship Cruise Missile Successfully Tested; Hits Target With Pinpoint Accuracy". 28 November 2020. https://eurasiantimes.com/modified-version-of-brahmos-anti-ship-cruise-missile-successfully-tested-hits-target-with-pinpoint-accuracy/. 
  65. ↑ Staff, Naval News (2022-08-02). "Hypersonic BrahMos-II missile may include tech from Tsirkon missile" (in en-US). https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2022/08/hypersonic-brahmos-ii-missile-may-include-tech-from-tsirkon-missile/. 
  66. ↑ "India to get deadly Zircon missile technology from Russia, may develop BrahMos-II" (in en). 2023-04-05. https://www.firstpost.com/world/india-to-get-deadly-zircon-missile-technology-from-russia-may-develop-brahmos-ii-12411612.html. 
  67. ↑ "India, Russia to jointly develop Brahmos-II Hypersonic Missile Version - Defence & Aerospace Research Forum" (in en-US). 2023-04-10. https://thedefencespace.com/2023/04/10/india-russia-to-jointly-develop-brahmos-ii-hypersonic-missile-version/. 

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