The Russian military has been working on its hypersonic missile and it has just successfully completed the second launch of the missile, Tsirkon. It was launched from a submarine, according to a press release from a Russian news agency. North Korea claimed to have successfully tested its hypersonic missile this week too.
These missiles fly faster than sound and their path can be altered on the way as well. There is also an option for it to work as a kinetic weapon that inflicts damage by its projectile alone.
Earlier, Russia launched the test flight of the missile from its frigate, Admiral Grigorovich. This time, the launch trial was executed from the nuclear-powered submarine, The Severodvinsk, the press release said.
The details of the trial are not disclosed yet entirely. The Ministry of Defense stated that the missile was aimed at a “conventional naval target” in the Sea of Barents. Data from the test stated that the flight course followed the specified parameters, and the target was hit.
The press release also said that a firing test was conducted in the morning, where the Tsirkon was fired when the submarine was at the surface. The submarine from which the missile was launched stayed at depth of 131 feet (40 m).
“A second test launch of a hypersonic cruise missile Tsirkon was carried out by the crew of the nuclear-powered submarine The Severodvinsk for the first time beneath the sea surface from a depth of 40 meters in the White Sea at a target in the Barents Sea. According to the objective monitoring means, the missile’s flight from the moment of surfacing and to hitting the target totally matched the expected parameters,” the Defense Ministry said.
Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that Tsirkon missiles with Mach 9 speeds and a range of 620 miles (1000 km) would enter duty soon. The contract for the missiles has been completed and is expected to be completed by 2025, the press release said.
On the other side, there have been significant delays in the US military’s hypersonic missiles. It just recently completed a trial of its hypersonic cruise missile as well, meaning the race is now on.
