The Russian Navy has tested the new hypersonic Zirkon cruise missile through a computer simulation during a manoeuvre on the Atlantic Ocean. The Russian Ministry of Defense reports this.
The test on a target 900 kilometres away took place during an exercise of the frigate “Admiral of the Fleet of the Soviet Union Gorshkov” – Admiral Gorshkov for short – in the western Atlantic Ocean.
The missile itself was not fired. The video only shows how the missile hatch opens after the fire command. The further course was simulated on screens. The simulation would have been successful, said commander Igor Kromal in a video distributed by the ministry.
The Zirkon has a long range and is mainly used for attacks against other ships. Due to its extremely high speed – according to the Russians, it can reach 8,000 to 9,000 kilometres per hour – it is virtually unstoppable by anti-aircraft fire. The missile could also carry a nuclear warhead.
The frigate, commissioned in 2018, is the first to be equipped with new hypersonic missiles. The ship departed from Severomorsk, near Finland, on January 4. It was joined by the supply ship Kama.