Russian Admiral Gorshkov Frigate Test-Fires Tsirkon Missile

In this still image from the video released by the Press Service of the Russian Ministry of Defense on Saturday, May 28, 2022, a Zircon missile is seen being launched by the Russian Navy frigate Admiral Gorshkov from the Barents Sea.

The Russian Defense Ministry said the Zircon hypersonic cruise missile could hit its target at a distance of 1,000 km.

The launch was the latest in a series of tests of the Zircon missile that began in 2012. The missile is reported to be operational by the end of this year.

The missile, which has the official name Zirkon 3M22 ( Zircon/Tsirkon ), was designed by NPO Mashinostroyeniya and manufactured by NPO Mashinostroyeniya.

The missile, dubbed by NATO as the SS-N-33, has a length of 9 m and a diameter of 60 cm.

The missile is equipped with a warhead of 300 HE or 200 kt nuclear.

The Zircon is powered by a Decilin-M liquid fuel scramjet engine. Its glide speed is nine times the speed of sound (9 Mach).

Zircon was designed as a weapon for Russian cruisers, frigates and submarines. This missile can be used against enemy ships and land targets.

President Vladimir Putin on one occasion emphasized that the use of Zircon would significantly enhance Russia's military capabilities.

Putin added that Russian Navy warships armed with Zircon would give the ability to strike "opponent decision-making centers" within minutes if deployed in neutral waters.

The Zircon is one of several hypersonic missiles Russia is currently developing.