The first successful launch of the Zircon hypersonic missile from the Severodvinsk submarine indicates that the tests are on schedule and the Russian Navy will receive the missiles on time. This was announced on October 4 by Admiral-submariner, former commander of the Baltic Fleet of the Russian Federation Vladimir Valuev.
"Apparently, the tests are going according to plan, the results of the military are satisfied. Another successful test suggests that serial deliveries of the missile to the fleet will begin, as planned, in 2022, " he told RIA Novosti.
The missile tests were completed on Monday, October 4. As noted in the Ministry of Defense, the shooting was carried out on a conditional naval target in the Barents Sea. The department also called the tests successful.
Earlier, on August 29, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu announced Russia's plans to modernize hypersonic weapons. In particular, it was about increasing its range, speed and accuracy. The Minister also noted that one of the most important issues at the moment is the adaptation of carriers to new types of weapons.
On July 19, the ministry reported that the frigate "Admiral of the Fleet of the Soviet Union Gorshkov" successfully fired a hypersonic missile "Zircon" at a ground target. It was emphasized that during the tests, the rocket confirmed its tactical and technical characteristics, the flight speed was Mach 7 (more than 8.5 thousand km / h), the range was over 350 km.
Hypersonic weapons were presented in Russia in 2018. In addition to the Zircon missiles, they include the Dagger and Avangard complexes.