Moscow. December 25. INTERFAX-Tests of the hypersonic missile "Zircon", which this year was conducted by the Northern fleet, confirmed the characteristics of this new weapon, the press service of the fleet said on Friday.
"As part of the tests, the high speed and other tactical and technical characteristics of the new weapon were fully confirmed," the fleet said in a statement.
The Northern fleet reported that the frigate Admiral Gorshkov, which participated in the tests of the Zircon, completed combat training tasks in the White sea and began moving to the main base of the Northern fleet-Severomorsk.
"In 2020, the frigate performed several successful test firings with the hypersonic Zircon missile. Firing was carried out from The white sea at a marine target position located in the Barents sea and at a coastal target located at the Chizha training ground in the Arkhangelsk region, " the report says.
On December 17, Russian President Vladimir Putin said at a press conference that work on the hypersonic cruise missile "Zircon" is almost complete.
"Zircon" we have a very important weapon. We recently conducted another test, a very important test for us. In fact, the work on it is mostly completed: more than 8 Mach (Mach is the speed of sound), the range is large. It can be placed on both stationary and surface and underwater vehicles. Posted where? In neutral waters, calculate the range and speed and everything becomes clear. Does this affect the situation in any way? Of course, it affects and changes, " the Russian President said at the time.
In December, November and October, the Russian defense Ministry reported successful test launches of the Zircon from the Northern fleet frigate Admiral Gorshkov.
In February 2019, in a message to the Federal Assembly, Putin said that the Zircon missile will be able to hit ground and surface targets at a range of more than 1 thousand kilometers at a speed of about Mach 9.
On December 2, 2019, the President of the Russian Federation said that the strengthening of the capabilities of the Russian Navy in the coming years largely depends on the entry into combat of frigates and submarines modified for the use of "Zircons".
In December last year, Putin said that according to the plan, work is underway on a hypersonic missile "Zircon"not only sea, but also land-based.
In March of this year, the commander of the Northern fleet, Alexander Moiseev, said that in the near future, the submarines of the SF plan to start testing hypersonic weapons.
Successful tests of the " Zircon "(Corporation" Tactical missile weapons", KTRV) indicate that the missile may soon be adopted, said in October, "Interfax" former chief of the General staff of the Russian Navy Admiral Viktor Kravchenko. According to him, no fleet in the world yet has such hypersonic weapons, as well as means of protection.
