Russia’s New ‘Tsirkon’ Hypersonic Missile Surpasses Max Speed

Russia’s newest Tsirkon 3M22 hypersonic anti-ship missile reached eight times the speed of sound during the test launch on Saturday, Russian media reported.

"During the tests of the missile it was confirmed that its speed on the march reaches eight Mach,” the source told TASS.

Zircon’s firing range, according to open data, is about 400 kilometers; the maximum speed of the missile is indicated in about 4-6 Mach.

The Russian Defense Industry began tests of the Tsirkon hypersonic missile in 2016, which is designed to be carried by advanced and modernized warships and submarines, including those of the Husky-class.

Production of the missile is expected to be launched in 2017. The Admiral Nakhimov and the Pyotr Veliky nuclear-powered missile cruisers will be the first to receive the new weapons.