Two successful launches of the Tsirkon hypersonic missile from the Severodvinsk nuclear-powered submarine (NATO reporting name: Severodvinsk-class) will pave the way for its state trials from the Admiral Gorshkov frigate (Admiral Gorshkov class) by the end of the year, a source in the defense industry told TASS.
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Launch of the Zircon hypersonic missile from the frigate Admiral Gorshkov in the Barents Sea (Picture source: Russian MoD)
"After Tsirkon's successful tests from a submarine there are no obstacles to beginning government certification tests from a surface ship," he said. The source added that the certification tests were to begin in November. One or two launches may be carried out by the end of the year.
The developer and manufacturer of the missile, NPO Mashinostroyenia (an affiliate of the Tactical Missiles Corporation) in Reutov, near Moscow, has refrained from comment.
Earlier, another source told TASS that Tsirkon's flight tests from the frigate The Admiral Gorshkov had been completed successfully.
On October 4, the Russian Defense Ministry said there had been two test launches of the Tsirkon missile from the submarine of project 885 The Severodvinsk. One missile was launched while the submarine was beneath the surface, and another, from a surface position. The submarine's missile control systems and the missile proper performed normally without flaws. The Defense Ministry said the goals of the tests had been achieved. The missile's underwater launch was practiced and verified. The Northern Fleet's commander Alexander Moiseyev later reported to Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu the missile's test launches from a submarine had been successful.
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