‘Unparalleled weapon’ attacks Kiev: this is what is known about Putin’s hypersonic missile ‘Zircon’.

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A range of up to 1000 kilometers, nine times the speed of sound and a high destructive power. There is hardly any defense against the Russian super missile “Zircon”. Investigation shows that shots were fired at targets in Kiev last week.

Although there is little information about the weapon, some important details have already been made public. According to Russian information, the Zircon missile has a range of more than 500 kilometers and can accelerate to 11,000 kilometers per hour. A liquid fuel flow engine accelerates the rocket to hypersonic speeds. According to the Russian Ministry of Defense, a new fuel has even been developed to achieve the maximum range of 1000 kilometers. It is said that Zircon can be used against both enemy ships and ground targets.

American experts are keeping an eye on the technology

The missile is designed to be launched from the sea. Russia has the warships it needs. But in the future, submarines will also be armed with “Zircon”. Past missile tests have shown the force with which the missile left its cradle. Images from the Russian Defense Ministry showed a huge fireball above the water’s surface.

According to Western experts, the characteristics of the “Zircon” could pose a problem for Western defense systems. Unlike other missile systems, the projectiles can still be steered even after being fired and reach many times the speed of sound at 1,235 km/h. “If this information is correct, this is the fastest missile in the world,” the international Alliance for the Advancement of Missile Defense writes on its website.

High precision, invisible on radar

This combination of controllability and speed makes the missiles virtually impossible for air defense systems to intercept, as they can overcome radar systems. “During flight, the rocket is completely covered by a plasma cloud that absorbs all radio frequency radiation,” the alliance continues. The missile’s precision could even pose a threat to Western aircraft carriers.

Theoretically, zircon has a high destructive power. It could also potentially be equipped with a nuclear warhead. However, the question arises as to whether the country is capable of producing the Zircon missile on a large scale, especially since such projects require large financial investments and, in some cases, Western technology.

The Kremlin has not yet commented on the use of zirconium.

Source: Blick