Russia to fire new hypersonic missile in test of Putin’s weapon of choice

RUSSIA is poised to carry out tests of its new hypersonic 6,000 mph Zircon missile from a naval ship for the first time, it was reported today.

The Mach 8 missile was identified last month by Moscow’s state-controlled TV as being Vladimir Putin’s weapon of choice to attack a number of American cities. Deep secrecy has surrounded tests and designs of the Zircon, which Putin claims is unmatched by any Western missile. But today state-controlled Tass news agency reported: “Trials of launching a (Zircon) missile from a naval vessel are planned to start at the end of the year.
The Admiral Gorshkov-class frigate, also known as Project 22350, from the Northern Fleet will be used.”

The report was cited to an unnamed source in the Russian “military-industrial complex
The Russian defence ministry did not immediately officially confirm the TASS report.

Previously it is believed that the shark-nosed Zircon has been tested at least five times from land-based sites, and is capable of a speed of 1.7 miles per second.
In June 2017 the missile reached eight times the speed of sound, according to reports.

The Royal Navy’s Sea Ceptor surface-to-air missile is reportedly only capable of intercepting targets flying up to Mach 3.

Tass said the sea-based tests would start later this year.

Hypersonic cruise missile Zircon is designed to be used against ships or land-based targets, and to enter production in 2021, commencing service the following year.
In June 2017 the missile reached eight times the speed of sound, according to reports.

Last month Dmitry Kiselyov, presenter of Russia’s main weekly TV news show Vesti Nedeli, showed on screen a map of the US identifying targets he claimed Moscow would want to hit in a war.

Kiselyov, seen as a top Putin propagandist, said the Zircon missile could hit the targets in less than five minutes.

Last week Putin warned that the West is seeking to steal secrets relating to Zircon and other state-of-the-art Russian weapons such as the Avangard.

He told his FSB counter-intelligence service:  “That means that your work should become even more effective.