The American television channel CNBC reported: tests of the Zircon hypersonic missilewent well
Citing sources familiar with US intelligence reports, CNBC reported that on December 10, 2018, Russia conducted another test of the Zircon ship-based hypersonic missile. According to the channel's interlocutors, during the test the rocket accelerated to a speed eight times the speed of sound (Mach 8, or approximately 9,800 km/h). It was previously reported that the speed of the Zircons should exceed the speed of sound by 5–6 times. "Last week's successful test showed that the Russians were able to achieve stable flight of the missile, which is critical when developing hypersonic weapons," one military expert explained to CNBC.
CNBC's interlocutors noted that the United States is not yet able to reliably protect its ships and other objects from Zircons.
Work on the newest so-called interspecific missile system 3K22 with the 3M22 missile, developed by the Reutov NPO Mashinostroyenia Corporation, has been ongoing at least since 2011. France is conducting similar work. China tested the WU-14 gliding GZLA.
In Russia, launches of the latest hypersonic product have been carried out for several years, but only today some test results and performance characteristics of the rocket have been declassified.
“During testing, the new Russian hypersonic anti-ship missile Zircon reached eight speeds of sound,” said a source in the military-industrial complex.
“During the tests of the rocket, it was confirmed that its speed on the march reaches Mach 8,” the agency’s interlocutor said. However, he did not specify when and from which platform the launch took place. The source added that Zircon can be launched from the same launchers that are used for the Caliber and Onyx missiles.
Cruise missiles "Zircon" (3M22) are being developed at the corporation "Tactical missile weapons" at least since 2011. According to open information, the missile’s range can be up to 400 kilometers. The export version of the Zircon missile, according to UGATU experts, is an anti-ship missile "BrahMos-II".
https://youtu.be/imPNYBcCO-4?t=2
Watch the video
https://youtu.be/06WBFscK6eQ?t=4
The technical characteristics of Zircon are currently classified. Despite the fact that Zircon tests have been going on for a long time, there is very little information about the missile. There is no information whether an aviation version exists.
However, some tactical and technical characteristics of the Zircon missile can be identified now, based on the history and dynamics of the design and testing process of the 3M22 product.
What is the rocket for, what is the likely target?
Russian warships and submarines will be armed primarily with Zircon hypersonic cruise missiles. How does Zircon differ from the already more or less well-known AGBO product - aeroballistic hypersonic combat equipment (aka product 4202)?
Firstly,
Unlike hypersonic combat equipment, the Zircon performs its entire flight in the atmosphere, significantly below the boundary between the Earth’s atmosphere and space.
Secondly,
If product 4202 is a strategic system for hitting targets at a distance of thousands of kilometers, then 3M22 is developing a line of heavy anti-ship missiles “Basalt” – “Granite” – “Onyx”, destroying surface and ground targets at a range of 300-400 km.
The scope of application imposes strict restrictions on Zircon on the strength of the structure, units and other performance characteristics. At hypersonic speeds, the rocket is exposed to high-temperature flow. It causes the structure to heat up to several thousand degrees (and the lower the flight altitude, the greater the load).
“One of the carriers of the Zircon missile should be the fifth-generation submarine Husky, developed by the Malachite Marine Engineering Bureau.”
At the same time, the Zircon must not only fly to a certain area, but, having detected the target, overcome the enemy’s air defense. Against the background of electronic interference, the missile must identify the desired object and be guaranteed to hit it. Hence the extremely high requirements. Taking into account the speed of the Zircon rocket, its RLGSN must operate under maximum load conditions.
The rocket's navigation system, which controls the flight during the cruising phase, is distinguished by accuracy and speed. At the final part of the trajectory, the target is identified by a radar homing head, the operation of which will be interfered with by false targets and electronic interference.
For a potential enemy, “Zircon” is a target that cannot be dealt with not only by the air defense systems in service with the potential enemy, but also by promising ones, work on which is just underway.
A brief history of the creation of a hypersonic anti-ship missile
Let us restore the chronology of events in order to assess exactly what capabilities the Zircon missile gives the Russian Navy.
The first mentions in open sources of the creation of a missile system with the Zircon 3K22 hypersonic operational anti-ship missile appeared in the media at the end of 2011. Later, the corporate newspaper of the NPO Mashinostroeniya “Tribuna VPK” wrote that in 2011, a group of chief designers was created in one of the directorates on the topic 3M22.
In 2011, the Central Institute of Aviation Engine Engineering from Lytkarino near Moscow showed hypersonic vehicles at the MAKS air show. At the institute’s stand there were models of unusually shaped rockets on display – similar to the Australian platypus (they had a flattened spade-shaped fairing and a box-shaped body).
It was then that the name of the promising Zircon missile system was announced; its creation was officially announced for the first time only now. By the way, the Indian company Brahmos announced work on hypersonic vehicles, demonstrating a model of the same “platypus”.
Interesting information is provided by the annual report of the member Tactical Missile Corporation Ural design and engineering Bureau "Detail"(one of the areas of his work is the development of radio altimeters). In 2011, on the topic “Zircon”, a design of two products was approved and sent to the customer (NPOmash) - "Zircon-S-ARK" And "Zircon-S-RV". Experts believe that the abbreviation RV means radio altimeter, and ARC stands for automatic radio compass.
Same year NPO "Granit-Electron", leading developer of radio-electronic systems of the Russian Navy, reported on the creation of a project for 3M22 autopilot and inertial navigation systems. In the 2011 report of the Orenburg NPO Mashinostroyenia, part of the corporation Strela software(which produces anti-ship cruise missiles, including the P-800 Oniks), the priority for the coming years is the creation of a production base for the serial production of Zircon missiles.
According to the report of the NPO Mashinostroyenia Corporation for 2012, the development of industrial production technology has begun laser and optical-electronic systems of a complex of transceiver devices and computing facilities for guidance of hypersonic missiles.
It was at this time that the name “Zircon” disappeared from all open sources. Even from the Strela PA report for 2012, points about creating a base for the production of a new rocket were removed.
At the same time, Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin announced the creation of a superholding based on the Tactical Missile Weapons Corporation and NPO Mashinostroyenia, which should deal with hypersonic technologies.
Later, the idea of creating a hypersonic industrial association on such a scale was abandoned in favor of merging a machine-building plant located in Dubna with the Reutov NPOmash design bureau "Raduga", which develops and produces air-launched missiles, including cruise missiles.
In the summer of 2012, a hypersonic air-launched cruise missile was tested at the test site of the 929th Flight Research Center in Akhtubinsk. The missile was carried by a Tu-22M3 bomber.
In September 2013, the head of the Tactical Missile Weapons Corporation, Boris Obnosov, admitted that Russia had already tested products that reach speeds of about Mach 4.5.
Hypersonic missile and modernization of heavy cruisers
After 2013, information about Project 3K22 missiles again disappeared from open sources. In the fall of 2015, people started talking about the missile in connection with the modernization of the Admiral Nakhimov.
According to the agreement between PA "Sevmash"(engaged in the re-equipment of TARKR) and the corporation "Almaz-Antey", the latter should supply ten vertical launchers (UVPU) ZS-14-11442M for the modernization of a heavy nuclear-powered missile cruiser taking place at the enterprise project 11442.
Carrying eighty hypersonic Zircons, the Peter the Great will be capable of destroying in a matter of minutes not only a couple of carrier strike groups of a potential enemy, but the entire military fleet of a power such as Turkey.
According to available data, one of the carriers of the Zircon should be a fifth-generation submarine "Husky", the development of which began at the Marine Engineering Bureau "Malachite". According to the developers, the newest nuclear submarine is designed on one basic platform in two versions. Firstly, it is multi-purpose, focused on combating enemy submarines. Secondly, an anti-aircraft submarine, armed with cruise missiles, including Zircons.
Only five years passed from the appearance of the first information about the new rocket and the creation of a group of chief designers to the start of testing. Probably, Zircon is based on technical solutions that are largely ready-made and proven.
“State tests of Zircon, in accordance with the contract, are planned to be completed in 2017, and mass production to begin next year,” said a representative of the defense industry.
Cruise missiles "Zircon" (3M22) are intended, first of all, to replace the heavy anti-ship missiles of the "Granit" complexes in the fleet's arsenal and should be part of the armament of promising ships in the ocean zone (missile cruisers) "Leader" type and modernized nuclear cruisers of project 1144 "Orlan".
According to the channel's sources, US intelligence reports say that Russia will be able to begin serial production of Zircons in 2021, and their deliveries to the troops will begin in 2022.
The name “Zircon” was not mentioned by Russian President Vladimir Putin in his message to the Federal Assembly on March 1, 2018, a significant part of which was devoted to the presentation of new types of weapons, including hypersonic ones. “The possession of such weapons certainly provides serious advantages in the field of armed struggle. Its power and might, as military experts say, can be enormous, and its speed makes it invulnerable to today’s missile defense and air defense systems, since anti-missiles, to put it simply, simply cannot catch up with them. Russia has such weapons. It already exists,” Putin said then, referring to the Kinzhal air-launched system.
2019-01-16T18:01:40+05:00 Sergey SinenkoDefense of the Fatherlandarmy, armed forces, missile, watch videoTechnical characteristics of the Zircon missile The American television channel CNBC reported: the tests of the Zircon hypersonic missile were successful. Citing sources familiar with US intelligence reports, CNBC reported that on December 10, 2018, Russia conducted another test of the Zircon ship-based hypersonic missile. According to the channel's interlocutors, during the test the rocket accelerated to a speed...Sergei Sinenko Sergei Sinenko [email protected] Author In the Middle of Russia
DATA FOR 2019 (standard update)
Complex 3K-22 "Zircon" / "Zircon-S", missile 3M-22 - SS-NX-33
Inter-service missile system with hypersonic missile / operational anti-ship missile. According to available information, the complex is being developed by NPO Mashinostroeniya ( ist. - Annual report, page 15). The first statements about the development of the complex in the media date back to February 2011. There was also an officially unconfirmed assumption that the export version of the Zircon missile is the anti-ship missile "". Until 2012, there was also a hypothesis that the complex was the successor to the ““ complex developed by the same NPO Mashinostroeniya.”
In 2011, NPO Mashinostroeniya, as part of the directorate 15-51, organized a group of leading designers on the 3M-22 topic with Sergei Bunakov, Denis Vitushkin, Yuri Vorotyntsev and Alexey Naydenov (). Also in 2011, a preliminary design of the Zircon-S complex was developed, and, accordingly, preliminary designs of the complex’s subsystems. Part of the development - "Zircon-S-ARK" and "Zircon-S-RV" - was carried out by the structural division of KTVR - UPKB "Detal" (). As of 2011, the organization of serial production of missiles of the Zircon complex in the coming years is planned at the Strela Production Association (Orenburg, ist. - Annual report, page 15). The creation of the missile system is planned to be completed by 2020.
According to the analysis of information on the topic for the second half of 2012, it was assumed that the “Zircon” topic was either closed or changed. There was no factual confirmation of this assumption, but there is a possibility that it was the difficulties with work on the topic for technical reasons that could have caused the emergence of the Government’s proposal to merge the Raduga ICB with NPO Mashinostroeniya to organize work on hypersonic vehicles.
On February 8, 2017, the media reported plans to conduct a test launch of the Zircon missile from a sea carrier in the spring of 2017. At the same time, it was reported that previous missile launches were carried out from the Plesetsk test site, which contradicts the existing points of view among experts (). Most likely, Plesetsk was named by mistake and we are talking about the Nenoksa training ground.
The data is speculative and estimates at best. Sources indicated. Identification of the 3M-22 rocket - . mention of index 3K-22 - . Western name SS-NX-33.
Presumable hypersonic missile test table:
| №pp | date | Location | Carrier | Status | Note, sources |
| July-August 2012 | Akhtubinsk, GLITs Air Force | Tu-22M3? | catchy or unsuccessful start | According to the newspaper "Izvestia" () | |
| July-August 2013 | Akhtubinsk, GLITs Air Force | Tu-22M3? | short flight , unsuccessful launch | According to an interview with the head of KTRV at the MAKS-2013 air show () | |
| September 30, 2013 | Akhtubinsk, GLITs Air Force | Tu-22M3? | unsuccessful launch | According to the publication, the launch was on September 30, 2013 or 1-2 days earlier () | |
| autumn 2015 | start of flight tests of the rocket | (, 2016) | |||
| 12/15/2015 | Nenoksa, 21st MCMP | ground launch complex | emergency start | Identification presumptive | |
| 01 | March 16 or 17, 2016 | Nenoksa, 21st MCMP | ground launch complex | successful launch | The media reported the start of testing the Zircon rocket from a ground launch complex () |
| 02 | September-December 2016 | Nenoksa, 21st GCMP? | ground launch complex? | The launch, which completes the first stage of flight testing of the rocket. Plans were announced in the media on August 8, 2016 () |
|
| 03 | April 10-15, 2017 | White Sea | presumably SSN K-560 "Severodvinsk" pr.885 | first launch from a sea carrier | Plans to conduct tests from a marine carrier in the spring of 2017 were announced in the media on February 8, 2017 (). On February 23, 2017, a forecast was made about the test launch of a missile from the Severodvinsk submarine. On April 15, 2017, it was reported that the rocket reached a speed of 8M (). 04/21/2017 The Russian Minister of Defense announced the successful completion of the Severodvinsk submarine, the first combat mission in the history of the boat. |
| 04 | May 30, 2017 | White Sea? | |||
| 05 | December 10, 2018 | White Sea? | presumably SSN K-560 "Severodvinsk" pr.885 | successful launch according to Western data | Quoting Western data () |
12/21/2018 reports that tests of the Zircon missile have been ongoing for about 4 years and in total more than 10 launches of the product have been carried out against sea targets, and tests from surface ships are planned to begin in 2019. This message has not been confirmed and, perhaps, is not true.
Model of the BrahMos-II rocket on the opening day of the Aero India 2013 exhibition, Bangalore, 02/06/2013 (photo - Shiv Aroor, http://livefist.blogspot.ru).
Launch equipment - on the modernized missile cruiser Project 11442M it is planned to use 3M-22 missiles from the universal vertical launch launcher UVPU 3S-14-11442M. The development and production of 3S-14-11442M launchers is carried out by the “design bureau of special mechanical engineering” (St. Petersburg, part of the Almaz-Antey concern). Manufacturing will be carried out on the basis of joint Decision No. 235/1/1/8565 of November 6, 2014. and the technical specification “Refinement of UVPU 3S-14-22350 for complexes 3K-14, 9K, 3M55, 3K-22 in relation to order 11442M ()
I believe that the version of the 3S-14 launcher for the use of Zircon missiles is probably designed for larger launch loads than the standard 3S-14 launcher (May 2017).
The media reports that the missile must “achieve versatility in hitting sea and ground targets, as well as unification by launch type - underwater, surface, ground” (, 2016).
Control and guidance system:
In 2011, NPO Granit-Electron developed a preliminary design for the creation of an autopilot and inertial navigation system (SAIN) for the 3M22 product (source - Annual Report of NPO Granit-Electron for 2011). In 2012, the Granit-Electron concern developed working design documentation and control equipment for the 3M22 anti-ship missile system ( ist. - Annual report of JSC "Concern "Granit-Electron").
The development of control system devices (at least gyroscopic devices) is carried out by NPO Electromechanics (Miass, see - Annual report of JSC NPO Electromechaniki for 2011.). During 2012, NPO Electromechanics planned to carry out work on the topic "Zircon".
Draft designs of equipment on the topics "Zircon-S-ARK" and "Zircon-S-RV" were carried out by the structural unit of KTVR - UPKB "Detal" and reviewed in 2011. Probably, we are talking about radio altimeters involved in the missile control system ().
Rocket 3M-22:
Design- presumably the rocket is made according to the “load-bearing body” design with slightly elongated wings. The rocket also supposedly has a launch and sustainer stages. The design of the rocket is designed to heat up to 1500 degrees when moving in the atmosphere. C and above.
Propulsion system: probably the launch solid propellant rocket engine and the sustainer ramjet.
The development of the rocket propulsion engine is probably being carried out by department 08 of NPO Mashnostroeniya. As of 2009-2010, together with the Orion Design Bureau, a power plant with a ramjet engine is being developed “for a foreign customer” - presumably for the BrahMos-II rocket. In 2009, successful fire tests of the engines were carried out ().
FSUE NIIPM (Perm) in its annual report for 2013 reports on solid fuel charges, igniters and gas generators, including for the Zircon weapon system.
There is an assumption that the rocket uses a classic ramjet without supersonic combustion. The assumption is based on an interview with Academician Fedosov dated 09/04/2017 in which he said that work on the creation of the SG ramjet engine has not yet left the experimental phase.
Performance characteristics of the missile:
Length - estimated from 8 to 10.5 m (a larger figure is more likely)
Range:
- 300-400 km ( ist. - USA tested, )
- 800-1000 km (forecast)
Speed:
- not less than 4.5 M ()
- presumably 5-6 M ()
- 6 M (, 2016)
- up to 8 M (, 04/15/2017, 2018)
Combat equipment:
The missile warhead was developed and produced by GosNIIMash as of 2014 ( ist. - Annual report of GosNIIMash for 2014.).
Carriers:
- SSN K-560 "Severodvinsk" pr.885 / GRANEY - in winter 2016-2017. The submarine was converted to test the Zircon anti-ship missile system from the UKSK 3S-14 launcher.
SSN pr.885M "Yasen-M" - probably the SSNs will be equipped with an improved 3S-14 complex with the ability to use Zircon missiles.
SSGN pr.949AM - will probably be able to use the Zircon anti-ship missiles after modernization (instead of the P-700 Granit anti-ship missiles).
Heavy nuclear missile cruiser "Peter the Great" - after modernization, which is planned for 2019-2022. as part of launchers 3S-14 ().
Heavy nuclear missile cruiser "Admiral Nakhimov" - after modernization, which is ongoing as of 2016, it is planned to use 3S-14-11442M launchers ().
Promising 5th generation PLAKR
Status: Russia - conclusions that it was the Zircon complex missile that took part in the events listed below are an assumption!
2012 July-August - presumably a throw test (or unsuccessful test) of a missile from an aircraft. Presumably from the Tu-22M3. The tests were carried out in Akhtubinsk ().
August 2013 - presumably the second test launch - unsuccessful or partially successful - after the launch, an interview with the head of KTRV Obnosov appeared with information that we already have missiles that fly briefly at hypersound (4.5M) ().
September 2013 - another test launch is expected by the end of the month - presumably a prototype of the Zircon missile or a similar hypersonic missile ().
2013 September 30 - a source reports that the missile test launch probably ended unsuccessfully ().
2015 July 15 - announces readiness for testing of the Zircon anti-ship missile system. Probably, we are talking about full-fledged flight design tests.
Unsuccessful rocket launch at the Nenoksa test site on December 15, 2015. Presumably this is the first launch of the Zircon rocket from a ground-based launch complex (photo - http://defendingrussia.ru/).
Sources:
Annual report on the activities of JSC PA "Strela" for 2011 2012 ()
Annual report of JSC Concern Granit-Electron for 2012, St. Petersburg, 2013.
Annual report of JSC NPO Electromechaniki for 2011, Miass, 2012 ().
Lenta.ru. 2011
Summing up the year. Website http://www.dancomm.ru, 2011, 2013
The United States has tested a new supersonic missile. Website "Vzglyad", 2011 ().
In recent years, the United States has been intensively developing its national missile defense system. The US government's desire to locate some elements of its missile defense system in Eastern Europe caused the start of a nuclear missile arms race between America and Russia.
The urgency of creating new supersonic weapons
In view of the intensive strengthening of American missile defense systems near the borders of Russia, the country's Ministry of Defense made a strategic decision to actively counter this by creating new hypersonic missiles. One of them is the ZK-22 - the Zircon hypersonic missile. Russia, according to its military experts, will be able to effectively resist any potential aggressor only if it urgently modernizes its army and navy.
The essence of modernization of the Russian Navy
Since 2011, according to the plan of the Russian Ministry of Defense, work has been carried out to create such a unique weapon as the Zircon missile. The characteristics of supersonic missiles are distinguished by one common quality - the highest speed. They are so fast that the enemy may have difficulty not only in intercepting them, but also in trying to detect them. According to military experts, the Zircon cruise missile today is a very effective weapon that deters any aggression. The characteristics of the product allow us to consider this weapon a modern hypersonic sword of the Russian air and naval fleet.
Statements in the media
For the first time, statements about the start of development of a complex with a sea-based Zircon hypersonic cruise missile appeared in the media in February 2011. The weapon has become the latest complex development of Russian designers.
The presumptive designation was the abbreviation 3K-22.
In August 2011, the general director of the Tactical Missile Arms concern, Boris Obnosov, announced that the corporation had begun developing a rocket that would reach speeds of up to Mach 13, exceeding the speed of sound by 12-13 times. (For comparison: today the speed of strike missiles of the Russian Navy is up to Mach 2.5).
In 2012, the Deputy Minister of Defense of the Russian Federation stated that the first test of the created hypersonic missile was expected in the near future.
Open sources reported that the development of a ship complex with the Zircon hypersonic missile was entrusted to NPO Mashinostroeniya. It is known that information about the technical characteristics of the installation is classified, tentative data were reported: range - 300-400 km, speed - 5-6 Mach.
There are unconfirmed reports that the missile is a hypersonic version of the BrahMos, a supersonic cruise missile that was developed by Russian designers together with Indian specialists based on the Onyx P-800 missile. In 2016 (February), BrahMos Aerospace announced that a hypersonic engine for its brainchild could be developed within 3-4 years.
In March 2016, the media announced the start of tests of the Zircon hypersonic missile, which were carried out from a ground-based launch complex.
In the future, it was planned to install Zircon on the latest Russian Husky submarines. Currently, these 5th generation multi-purpose nuclear submarines are being developed by the Malachite design bureau.
At the same time, information was released in the media that state flight tests of the rocket were in full swing. Upon completion, a decision is expected to be made on the adoption of the Zircon into service with the Russian Navy. In April 2016, information was published that tests of the Zircon missile would be completed by 2017, and the launch of the installation into mass production was expected in 2018.
Development and testing
In 2011, the Tactical Missiles Concern began designing Zircon hypersonic anti-ship missiles. The characteristics of the new weapons, according to experts, have much in common with the existing Bolid complex.
In 2012 and 2013, testing of a new rocket was carried out at the test site in Akhtubinsk. It was used as a carrier. The results of the tests led to conclusions about the reason for the unsuccessful launch and short-term flight of the warhead. Subsequent testing was carried out in 2015 using a ground-based launch complex as a carrier. Now the Zircon rocket was launched from an emergency launch. The characteristics of the 2016 test gave a positive result, which prompted the developers to announce in the media the creation of a new hypersonic missile weapon.
Where are the new missiles planned to be used?
After the completion of further planned state tests, hypersonic missiles will be equipped with Huskies (multi-purpose nuclear submarines), Leader cruisers and the modernized nuclear cruisers Orlan and Pyotr Velikiy. The heavy nuclear cruiser Admiral Nakhimov will also be equipped with the Zircon anti-ship missile. The characteristics of the new ultra-high-speed weapon are much superior to similar models - for example, such as the Granit complex. Over time it will be replaced by ZK-22. Exclusively promising and modernized submarines and surface vessels will use the Zircon missile.
Specifications
- The missile's flight range is 1,500 km.
- The installation has a speed of about Mach 6. (Mach 1 equals 331 meters per second).
- The ZK-22 warhead weighs at least 200 kg.
- 500 km is the radius of destruction of the Zircon hypersonic missile.
The characteristics of the weapon give grounds to judge the superiority of the army wielding it over an enemy who does not possess such weapons.
Engine and fuel
An object whose speed is at least 4,500 km/h is considered hypersonic or ultra-high-speed. When creating such weapons, developers face many scientific and technical problems. Among them, very pressing questions are how to accelerate a rocket using a traditional jet engine and what fuel to use? Russian development scientists made a decision: to accelerate the ZK-22, use a special ramjet engine, which is characterized by supersonic combustion. These engines operate on the new fuel “Decilin - M”, which has an increased energy intensity (20%).
Fields of science involved in development
High temperature is a common environment in which the Zircon rocket carries out its maneuverable flight after acceleration. The characteristics of a homing system at supersonic speeds during flight can be significantly distorted. The reason for this is the formation of a plasma cloud that can block the target from the system and damage the sensor, antenna and controls. To fly at hypersonic speeds, missiles must be equipped with more advanced avionics. The serial production of the ZK-22 involves such sciences as materials science, engine engineering, electronics, aerodynamics and others.
For what purpose was the Zircon rocket (Russia) created?
The characteristics obtained after state tests give reason to believe that these supersonic objects can easily overcome enemy anti-tank defenses. This became possible due to two features inherent in the ZK-22:
- The speed of the warhead at an altitude of 100 km is Mach 15, i.e. 7 km/sec.
- Being in a dense atmospheric layer, already before approaching its target, the warhead performs complex maneuvers, which complicates the work of the enemy’s missile defense system.
Many military experts, both Russian and foreign, believe that achieving military-strategic parity directly depends on the availability of hypersonic missiles.
About prospects
The media is actively circulating information about the US lagging behind Russia in terms of developing hypersonic missiles. In their statements, journalists refer to data from American military research. The appearance of even more modern hypersonic weapons than the Zircon missile in the arsenal of the Russian Army is expected by 2020. For the US missile defense system, considered one of the most developed systems in the world, the emergence of extreme high-speed nuclear weapons in the Russian Air Force will, according to journalists, be a real challenge.
An undeclared high-tech arms race continues around the world. belong to the latest technologies, which in the 21st century will play a decisive role in the outcome of the war. It is no coincidence that in 2000, US President George W. Bush signed a directive making the possibility of launching a rapid global strike using hypersonic high-precision cruise missiles a reality.
It's easy to guess who it was intended for. This is probably why in October 2016, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu announced the use of the latest cruise missiles in the X-101, the range of which is about 4500 km.
The Zircon hypersonic missile, the characteristics of which guarantee a colossal advantage in armament for the army that possesses it, is the “golden dream” of any general, minister and president. The presence of such weapons can become a significant deterrent in any military conflict.
Serial name: 3m22;
Affiliation: interspecific missile system 3k22 “Zircon”;
Developer: NPO Mashinostroeniya;
Start of development: 2011.
Main characteristics:
- Hypersonic (that is, at least 5 times faster than the speed of sound);
- Winged, unmanned, single launch;
- Highly accurate.
Appearance: box-shaped chopped body made of new heat-resistant alloys, flattened spade-shaped fairing (“nose”).
New Russian Zircon rocket.
Performance characteristics of a new generation missile
The information is indicative, based on indirect data and unconfirmed information, since the officially Russian hypersonic cruise missile Zircon 3M22 has not yet entered service.
| Parameter | Meaning | A comment |
| Launcher | 3s14, “revolving” type, deck and below deck placement | From 2 to 8 missiles Deck placement - vertical launch, below deck placement - inclined |
| Length | 8-10 m | Russia's latest missiles "Oniks" (P-800) and "Caliber" (3m54), similarly launched from 3s14 |
| Warhead weight | 300-400 kg | |
| Flight altitude | small (30-40 km), low dense layers of the atmosphere | The flight is carried out under the influence of its main engine (not the starting engine, not the booster engine, and not all kinds of auxiliary ones that correct the course) At lower altitudes, due to air resistance at such speeds, the skin may simply melt |
| Mach number | from 5 to 8 (according to some statements, this is not the limit) | Primitively speaking, the Mach number shows how many times the speed of the 3M22 cruise missile (at a specific altitude) exceeds the speed of sound. At different altitudes, the speed of sound is different (the higher, the lower), so the Mach number helps control the rocket's stability and course adherence Mahmeter readings: Below 0.8 - subsonic; 0.8 - 1.2 - transonic; 1 - 5 - supersonic; More than 5 - hypersound |
| Range | 300-500 km | The warheads are delivered by new Russian launch vehicles |
| Trajectory | arbitrary, including winding (to bypass air defense), with contouring (to bypass radar equipment) | Unlike ballistic missiles, it is controlled internally (independently) and externally |
| Guidance | Inertial + radio altimeter + active radar + optical-electronic complex for searching targets | |
| Engine | direct-flow, supersonic combustion | It is possible to use fuel with increased energy intensity "Decilin-M". |
The expected movement of a new generation rocket can be seen in the report of Channel One.
Possible carriers (sea-based):
- Orlan-class nuclear-powered heavy cruisers; "Peter the Great"; "Admiral Nakhimov";
- heavy aircraft-carrying cruiser "Admiral of the Fleet of the Soviet Union Kuznetsov" (after modernization);
- nuclear destroyers "Leader" (project 23560);
- nuclear submarines of the Yasen-M series (improved fourth generation, project 885m); "Antey" (949a); "Husky" (fifth generation, in a special modification).
Background of the Russian hypersonic cruise missile
The Soviet Union was the first to arm itself with serial anti-ship cruise missiles. Zircon has become the latest development of Russian scientists. And the first copy was the Termit missile (P-15). In the 70s, supersonic and hypersonic cruise missiles of a new generation (X-50) were developed, but the work was not completed due to the collapse of the USSR.
this year the “Spiral” project was launched
The first hypersonic aircraft would be a booster aircraft for the Spiral (orbital aircraft) project, which began in 1965.
The reconnaissance disperser, also known as the “50-50” product, is:
- 38-meter tailless aircraft;
- delta wing with fender length 16.5 m;
- lowerable bow;
- hypersonic air intake;
- fundamentally new turbojet engines:
on kerosene: M=4, range = 6-7 thousand km,
on liquid hydrogen: M=5, range = 12000 km.
The plane was tested at TsAGI, but in the 70s the project was also closed.
In 1979 they returned to the topic of hypersonic engines. To recreate their operating conditions, anti-aircraft missiles were used: instead of a warhead, a block with equipment for testing was installed.
- Based on the 5V28 missiles, which were just about to be decommissioned, there was a hypersonic flying laboratory “Kholod”. For seven launches in 1991-1999. The operating time of the tested E-57 engine was increased to 77 seconds, the speed was increased to 1855 m/s (~6.5M);
- The Igla flying laboratory was created on the basis of the Rokot launch vehicle (a descendant of the intercontinental UR-100N). The model of which can still be seen at air shows. Laboratory operating conditions: M = 6-14, altitude = 25-50 km, flight time – 7-12 minutes.
Timeline of development of hypersonic cruise missiles
NPO Mashevsky patent shows a special feature of the rocket - a detachable warhead The development of the hypersonic Zircon belongs to NPO Mashinostroyenia and begins in 2011.
NPO Mashevsky patent shows a special feature of the rocket - a detachable warhead | date | Source | Event |
| Late 2011 | Airshow "Max", Lytkarino | First mention of the Zircon 3K22 complex, prototypes of hypersonic projectiles |
| 2011 | Corporate newspaper "Tribune of the Military-Industrial Complex" of NPOMash | A group of chief designers has been officially formed for the 3M22 project |
| 2011 | Annual report of PKB "Detal" | The preliminary designs of “Zircon-S-ARK” (automatic radio compass) and “Zircon-S-RV” (radio altimeter) were approved |
| 2011 | Report of NPO "Granit-Electron" | Draft designs and finished design documentation for inertial navigation and autopilot system 3M22 |
| 2011 | Strela software report | Plans for mass production of new products, including Zircon missiles |
| 2012 | NPO Mashinostroyenia report | Development of technologies for the production of optical-electronic and laser guidance and detection systems for hyper- and supersonic missiles |
| 2012 | Dmitry Rogozin | Unfulfilled plans to create a superholding for the development of hypersonic technologies |
| Summer 2012 | Open news sources | Aktyubinsk, training ground 929th state. flight research center, throw tests of Zircon hypersonic cruise missiles from a Tu-22M3 bomber (successful and unsuccessful) |
| September 2013 | Boris Obnosov | A prototype of a hypersonic missile (4.5 M), the problem is stable and long flight |
| Autumn 2015 | Modernization project "Admiral Nakhimov" | Almaz-Antey, among other things, must supply the 3K22 complex, that is, Zircon, for the conversion of the cruiser, no later than 2018 |
| December 15, 2015 | News sources | Arkhangelsk region, Nenoksa village, launch of an experimental model (unsuccessful) |
| February 2016 | News sources | 3K22 will arm the modernized Peter the Great (project 1144, heavy nuclear cruiser), as well as the fifth generation Husky submarine in one of the variants |
Testing of 3m22 Zircon anti-ship cruise missiles
News of the tests appeared several times in different news agencies, but there was no official confirmation, and the sources were also not disclosed. The reality of the announced tests is in question - are they simply a demonstration of force to intimidate a potential enemy?
They promise to put the promising missile into service in 2020; mass deliveries and the transition to hypersonics are predicted for a longer period - by 2040.
Perspectives and criticism
According to the project, the new generation Zircon 3M22 anti-ship cruise missile is universal and can be used by almost all ships, as well as the army (ground forces), military space forces, etc. However, due to the small amount of official information, many aspects of the design remain controversial.
| Problem | Possible Solution |
| Performance of a radio channel or homing head under conditions of aerodynamic heating. When flying in low layers of the atmosphere, the projectile is surrounded by a plasma cloud (a layer of ionized gases) and a serious distortion of target designation and radio traffic occurs. For space descent vehicles, this problem has not been solved. | Nuclear warhead and a huge target (for example a small city) |
| Reducing speed to transonic (Mach number = 0.8) near the target, turning on the homing head | |
| After determining the coordinates of the target, separation of the power plant (using pyro devices) and hitting the target with a gliding combat homing module (also less noticeable). | |
| High-precision satellite guidance, the strike is delivered by “smart” homing darts or high-explosive projectiles (a very controversial solution, like a thermal imaging homing head) | |
| Window for radio waves in the tail of the rocket (external control channel), multiple repetition of commands | |
| Low noise immunity of existing anti-ship hypersonic cruise missiles | |
| The radar homing head may melt due to aerodynamic heating | Adopting high temperature oxide ceramics for fairings and body (can withstand 1500 degrees) |
If all possible problems are successfully resolved, Zircon is a weapon that threatens to become exactly the formidable answer as it is positioned in the media. It is expected that the new Zircon missile will reduce the importance of aircraft carriers and capital ships in battle, and also encourage other states to modernize ship-based air defenses.
Flights of “three-mach” aircraft were accompanied by furious heating of the structure. The temperature of the edges of the air intakes and the leading edge of the wing reached 580-605 K, and the rest of the skin 470-500 K. The consequences of such heating are evidenced by the fact that already at a temperature of 370 K the organic glass used for glazing the cabins softens and the fuel begins to boil. At 400 K, the strength of duralumin decreases; at 500 K, chemical decomposition of the working fluid in the hydraulic system and destruction of seals occurs. At 800 K, titanium alloys lose the necessary mechanical properties. At temperatures above 900 K, aluminum and magnesium melt, and heat-resistant steel loses its properties.
The flights were carried out in the stratosphere at an altitude of 20,000 meters in very rarefied air. Achieving Mach 3 speed at lower altitudes was not possible: the skin temperature would reach four-digit values.
Over the next half century, a number of measures have been proposed to combat the searing fury of atmospheric heating. Beryllium alloys and new ablative materials, composites based on boron and carbon fibers, plasma spraying of refractory coatings...
Despite the progress achieved, the thermal barrier still remains a serious obstacle on the path to hypersound. An obligatory obstacle, but not the only one.
Supersonic flight is extremely expensive in terms of required thrust and fuel consumption. And the level of complexity of this problem rapidly increases with decreasing flight altitude.
To date, none of the existing types of aircraft and cruise missiles have been able to reach a speed of 3M at sea level.
The record holder among manned aircraft was the MiG-23. Thanks to its relatively small size, variable sweep wing and powerful R-29-300 engine, it was able to reach 1,700 km/h near the ground. More than anyone in the world!
Cruise missiles showed slightly better results, but also failed to reach the Mach 3 threshold.
Among the variety of anti-ship missiles around the world, only four anti-ship missiles can fly twice the speed of sound at sea level. Among them:
ZM80 “Mosquito”(launch weight 4 tons, maximum speed at an altitude of 14 kilometers - 2.8 M, at sea level - 2 M).
ZM55 “Onyx”(launch weight 3 tons, maximum speed at an altitude of 14 km - 2.6 M).
ZM54 “Caliber”.
And finally, Russian-Indian “BrahMos”(launch weight 3 tons, design speed at low altitude 2M).
The promising “Caliber” came closest to the treasured 3M. Thanks to the multi-stage layout, its detachable warhead (which itself is the third stage) is capable of reaching a speed of 2.9 M at the finish line. However, not for long: the separation and acceleration of the warhead is carried out in close proximity to the target. During the marching phase, the ZM54 flies at subsonic levels.
It is worth noting that there is no information about testing and testing the ZM54 separation algorithm in practice. Despite the common name, the ZM54 missile has little in common with those “Calibers” that staged an unforgettable fireworks display in the sky over the Caspian Sea last fall (subsonic missile for attacks on land targets, index ZM14).
It can be stated that a rocket developing a speed of > 2M at low altitude is, in a literal sense, still only tomorrow.
You have already noticed that each of the three anti-ship missiles capable of developing 2M during the sustaining phase of flight (“Moskit”, “Onyx”, “Brahmos”) is distinguished by exceptional weight and size characteristics. The length is 8-10 meters, the launch mass is 7-8 times higher than that of subsonic anti-ship missiles. At the same time, their warheads are relatively small, accounting for about 8% of the launch mass of the rocket. And the flight range at low altitude barely reaches 100 km.
The possibility of air-launching these missiles remains questionable. Due to their too long length, “Mosquito” and “Brahmos” do not fit into air defense systems; they require separate launchers on the decks of ships. As a result, the number of carriers of supersonic anti-ship missiles can be counted on the fingers of one hand.
At this point it is worth turning to the title topic of this article.
ZM22 “Zircon” is a hypersonic sword of the Russian Navy. Myth or reality?
The rocket that is talked about so much, but no one has even seen its outlines. What will this superweapon look like? What are its capabilities? And the main question: how realistic are the plans to create such an anti-ship missile system at the modern technological level?
After reading the long introduction about the torment of the creators of supersonic aircraft and missiles, many of the readers probably had doubts about the realism of the existence of “Zircon”.
A fiery arrow flying on the border of supersonic and hypersonic, capable of hitting naval targets at ranges of 500 kilometers or more. Whose overall dimensions do not exceed the established restrictions when placed in UKSK cells.
The 3S14 universal ship-based firing system is an 8-charge under-deck vertical launcher for launching the entire range of Caliber family missiles. Max. the length of the transport and launch container with the missile is 8.9 meters. The starting weight limit is up to three tons. It is planned that ten such modules (80 launch silos) will form the basis of strike weapons on the modernized nuclear-powered Orlans.
A promising superweapon or another unfulfilled promise? Doubts are in vain.
The appearance of a supersonic anti-ship missile capable of reaching a speed of 4.5 M in flight is the next logical step in improving missile weapons. It is curious that missiles with similar characteristics have been in service with the leading navies of the world for about 30 years. One index is enough to understand what we are talking about.
Anti-aircraft missile 48N6E2 as part of the S-300FM “Fort” naval anti-aircraft system
The length and diameter of the body are standard for all missiles of the S-300 family.
Length = 7.5 m, diameter of the rocket with folded wings = 0.519 m. Launch weight 1.9 tons.
The warhead is a high-explosive fragmentation unit weighing 180 kg.
The estimated range of destruction of the VC is up to 200 km.
Speed - up to 2100 m/s (SIX speeds of sound).
SAM 48N6E2 as part of the S-300PMU2 “Favorit” land complex
How justified is the comparison of anti-aircraft missiles with anti-ship missiles?
There are not many conceptual differences. The anti-aircraft 48N6E2 and the promising Zircon are guided missiles with all the ensuing consequences.
Sailors are well aware of the hidden capabilities of shipborne air defense systems. Half a century ago, during the first firing of anti-aircraft missiles, an obvious discovery was made: at a line-of-sight range, missile defense systems would be the first to be used. They have a smaller warhead mass, but their reaction time is 5-10 times less compared to anti-ship missiles! This tactic was widely used in “skirmishes” at sea. The Yankees damaged an Iranian frigate with the Standard (1988). Russian sailors, with the help of the Osa, dealt with the Georgian boats.
The bottom line is that if a conventional missile defense system with a disabled proximity fuse can be used against ships, then why not create a special weapon based on it to destroy surface targets?
The advantage will be high flight speed, at the border of hypersound. The main disadvantage is the high-altitude flight profile, which makes the missile vulnerable to breaking through enemy air defenses.
What are the main design differences between missiles and anti-ship missiles?
Guidance system.
To detect targets over the horizon, anti-ship missiles require an active radar seeker.
It is worth noting that anti-aircraft missiles with ARGSN have been used in the world for a long time. The first of them (the European Aster) was put into service over ten years ago. A similar missile was created by the Americans (Standard-6). The domestic analogues are 9M96E and E2 - anti-aircraft missiles of the Redut naval air defense system.
At the same time, detecting a 100-meter ship should be easier than targeting an actively maneuvering point-sized object (an airplane or missile).
Engine.
Most anti-aircraft missiles are equipped with a solid rocket motor, whose operating time is limited to seconds. The operating time of the 48N6E2 rocket propulsion engine is only 12 s, after which the rocket flies by inertia, controlled by aerodynamic rudders. As a rule, the flight range of missiles along a quasi-ballistic trajectory, with a marching section high in the stratosphere, does not exceed 200 kilometers (the most “long-range”), which is quite enough to perform the tasks assigned to them.
Anti-ship weapons, on the contrary, are equipped with turbojet engines - for long, tens of minutes, flight in dense layers of the atmosphere. At a much lower speed than is typical for anti-aircraft missiles.
The creators of the 4-mach Zircon will obviously have to abandon any turbojet or ramjet engines, using a proven technique with a powder turbojet engine.
The problem of increasing the flight range is solved by a multi-stage layout. For example: the American Standard-3 interceptor missile has a destruction range of 700 km, and the interception altitude is limited to low Earth orbit.
Standard-3 is a four-stage rocket (Mk.72 launch booster, two sustainer stages and a detachable kinetic interceptor with its own engines for trajectory correction). After separation of the third stage, the speed of the warhead reaches Mach 10!
It is noteworthy that the Standard-3 is a relatively light compact weapon, with a launch weight of ~1600 kg. The anti-missile missile is placed in a standard air defense cell on board any American destroyer.
The anti-missile missile does not have a warhead. The main and only destructive element is its fourth stage (infrared sensor, computer and set of engines), which crashes into the enemy at full speed.
Returning to the Zircon, the author does not see any fundamental obstacles to the fact that an anti-aircraft missile, which has a lower speed and a flatter trajectory than the standard-3, after passing the apogee, can safely return to the dense layers of the atmosphere. Then detect and attack the target, falling like a star onto the deck of the ship.
The development and creation of hypersonic anti-ship missiles based on existing anti-aircraft missiles is the most optimal solution from the point of view of minimizing technical risks and financial costs.
A) Shooting at moving sea targets at a distance of over 500 km. Due to the high flight speed of the Zircon, its flight time will be reduced to 10-15 minutes. Which will automatically solve the problem of data obsolescence.
Previously, as now, anti-ship missiles are launched in the direction of the probable location of the target. By the time it arrives at the specified square, the target may already go beyond its boundaries, making it impossible for the missile's seeker to detect it.
B) From the previous paragraph it follows that it is possible to effectively fire at ultra-long distances, which will make the missile the “long arm” of the fleet. The ability to carry out operational strikes at enormous ranges. The reaction time of such a system is tens of times less than that of an aircraft carrier wing.
C) Launching an attack from the zenith, along with the unexpectedly high speed of the missile (after braking in dense layers of the atmosphere, it will be about 2 M), will make most of the existing close-in defense systems ineffective (“Dirks”, “Goalkeepers”, RIM-116 etc.)
At the same time, the negative aspects will be:
1. Altitude flight path. Within a second after launch, the enemy will notice the missile launch and begin to prepare to repel the attack.
Speed = 4.5M is not a panacea here. The characteristics of the domestic S-400 make it possible to intercept air targets flying at speeds of up to 10 Mach.
The new American Standard-6 missile defense system has a maximum destruction altitude of 30 km. Last year, with its help, the longest-range interception of a military center in a naval space (140+ kilometers) was carried out in practice. And the powerful radar and computing capabilities of Aegis allow destroyers to hit targets in low-Earth orbits.
The second problem is the weak warhead. Some will say that at such speeds you can do without it. But that's not true.
A Talos anti-aircraft missile without a warhead almost cut the target in half (exercises off the coast of California, 1968).
The Talos core stage weighed one and a half tons (more than any existing rocket) and was powered by a ramjet engine. When it hit the target, an unspent supply of kerosene detonated. Speed at the moment of impact = 2M. The target was a WWII-era escort destroyer (1,100 tons), whose dimensions corresponded to a modern small missile ship.
Talos hitting a cruiser or destroyer (5000-10000 tons), logically, could not lead to serious consequences. There are many cases in maritime history when ships, having received numerous through holes from armor-piercing shells, remained in service. Thus, the American aircraft carrier “Kalinin Bay” in the battle near the island. Samar was pierced through 12 times.
The Zircon anti-ship missile needs a warhead. However, due to the need to ensure a speed of 4.5 M and limited weight and dimensions when placed in an airborne missile launcher, the mass of the warhead will be no more than 200 kg (estimated based on examples of existing missiles).
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