Moscow: Russia said on Monday it has launched a new hypersonic cruise missile from a submarine, the latest test of the emerging weapons Vladimir Putin dubbed “invincible”.
Moscow has touted arms development in recent years that it hopes will give it an edge over any arms race in a time of rising tensions with the United States. West.
Hypersonics can travel at more than five times the speed of sound and maneuver in mid-flight, making them much harder to track and intercept than a conventional projectile.
The military said on Monday it had fired a Zircon missile from the Severodvinsk nuclear submarine and hit a test target. Barents Sea In the Arctic of Russia.
“The test of the Zircon missile from a nuclear submarine is considered successful,” the Defense Ministry said in a statement.
The ministry released grainy video footage showing the missile glowing as it illuminated the night sky.
Zircon has already undergone several tests in recent years, including a launch from Admiral gorshkov battleship.
Putin used his address to the nation in 2018 to unveil new hypersonic weapons, including the zircon, saying it can hit targets at sea and on land with a range of 1,000 km.
The Zircon is set to join the Avangard hypersonic glide vehicles that were put into service in 2019 and the air-launched Kinjal (Dagger) missiles in Russia’s arsenal.
The launch comes a week after North Korea tested a new hypersonic weapon, becoming the latest country to join the hypersonic arms race.
Experts agree that, at least for now, Russia has the edge in its development.
Moscow has touted arms development in recent years that it hopes will give it an edge over any arms race in a time of rising tensions with the United States. West.
Hypersonics can travel at more than five times the speed of sound and maneuver in mid-flight, making them much harder to track and intercept than a conventional projectile.
The military said on Monday it had fired a Zircon missile from the Severodvinsk nuclear submarine and hit a test target. Barents Sea In the Arctic of Russia.
“The test of the Zircon missile from a nuclear submarine is considered successful,” the Defense Ministry said in a statement.
The ministry released grainy video footage showing the missile glowing as it illuminated the night sky.
Zircon has already undergone several tests in recent years, including a launch from Admiral gorshkov battleship.
Putin used his address to the nation in 2018 to unveil new hypersonic weapons, including the zircon, saying it can hit targets at sea and on land with a range of 1,000 km.
The Zircon is set to join the Avangard hypersonic glide vehicles that were put into service in 2019 and the air-launched Kinjal (Dagger) missiles in Russia’s arsenal.
The launch comes a week after North Korea tested a new hypersonic weapon, becoming the latest country to join the hypersonic arms race.
Experts agree that, at least for now, Russia has the edge in its development.
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