Impact "Zircon": what will be the latest hypersonic missile. Do not believe the hype about the Russian hypersonic missile How fast does a hypersonic missile fly

The topic of "military" hypersound has been on the front pages of the world's leading publications for several decades now. Moreover, this issue is raised not only by specialized media, but also by tabloids dedicated to international relations economics, finance...

The reason for such close attention is the likely change of the "planetary hegemon", because a country that can put on stream the production of hypersonic aircraft (GZLA) before potential opponents will gain real freedom in foreign policy. The new offensive weapon will be inaccessible to modern defense systems, which means that the usual rhetoric of "historical parity" in the rivalry between the West and the East will also remain in the past.

According to experts, Moscow and Washington once again became participants in an unannounced duel: no one doubts the fact that the hypersonic missiles of Russia and the United States will have diametrically opposed goals - the only mystery is who will “take aim” at whom ...

Weapons labeled "Top Secret"

Today, “absolute weapons” are spoken about literally on every corner. Newspapers, magazines, television programs - everywhere they trumpet about the imminent approach of the "terrifying prospect." And at the same time the flow is for real useful information so meager that sometimes it seems that hypersonic cruise missiles are nothing more than a figment of the imagination of science fiction writers.

Why is this happening? Yes, because, having given publicity to the results of individual developments, the military is in no hurry to reveal all the cards, because at stake is the future of the country, its ability to adequately respond to global threats and the challenges of potential adversaries. In addition, many projects have the status of state secrets, and this not only complicates professional activity journalists, but also "inclines to silence" those who could tell something about shifts and breakthroughs in this direction. Nevertheless, bit by bit the data suggests that the Russian rocket troops are on the verge of a qualitative rebirth, which is another year or two - and secret systems will take up combat duty ...

The emphasis on hypersound is not accidental - a target moving at a speed of three to four kilometers per second ceases to be vulnerable to the vast majority of missile defense systems. Now only intercontinental ballistic missiles can boast of such performance indicators. However, their "cruising acceleration" is realized exclusively in airless space (at great heights). As you know, a material body in space is deprived of aerodynamic maneuvering, that is, invulnerability.

A hypersonic cruise missile (Russia has yet to conduct a series of tests before the modernized Koala model, which is how the domestic X-90 is called in the NATO armies, will become a serious deterrent in relations with the "presumptuous hegemon") - this is an ultra-precise weapon with a kill radius several tens of thousands of kilometers. In fact, such a combat unit is the embodiment of the military's dream, because, in addition to speed and "selectivity", it will have absolute invulnerability.

Not so long ago, the revelations of Boris Obnosov, the head of TRO, leaked to the press. The director of the corporation said that in 2013, one “dream” was already tested at the Akhtubinsk training ground, capable of reaching a speed of 5 thousand km / h. And although the rocket was able to hold out in the air for only a few tens of seconds, the designer unequivocally hinted that the final success was close, and that the American product - the notorious X-51A - in many respects technical parameters significantly inferior to the Russian one.

Hypersonic Cruise Missiles: The Cold War That Never Ended

The role that the United States assigns to "hypersound" is, of course, colossal. According to intelligence, the practical implementation of the idea is part of an overall strategy aimed at "forcing" Moscow into geopolitical capitulation. In other words, the Pentagon has once again embarked on building a dialogue from a position of strength.

Until 2025, the moment when, according to official doctrine, Russia's new hypersonic missiles will have to "become operational", Washington will definitely try to "eliminate the Russian threat." Moreover, he has plenty of political and economic opportunities to influence domestic processes. However, the possibility of a direct confrontation cannot be ruled out. It is no coincidence that the number of CRBD (cruise missiles long range) in the US Army is brought to 7 thousand units - an unprecedented figure since the active phase of the Cold War.

Hidden Threats, or What's Behind NASA's Space Programs?

NASA's peaceful space exploration program isn't really that friendly. Among other things, it implies that by 2020 the agency should have at its disposal a hypersonic carrier (supposedly for launching tonnage cargo into orbit). The tests conducted last summer - we are talking about the launch of the X-43A from the Kodiak test site, Alaska - showed that the true intentions of the "astronauts" are completely different (before the launch, the task was set: to hit a target located on a Pacific atoll at a speed not less than 6.5 thousand km/s). In fact, there was a "demonstration performance" with the participation of a combat prototype. The result of "peaceful" research will most likely be a hypersonic missile with a kinetic warhead.

Similar projects are being implemented by the US Army and Navy. In the US Air Force, in parallel, work is underway to study the potential of the Falcon HTV-2: during the last “California experiment”, the device exceeded all expectations and reached a speed of Mach 20 (about 23,000 km / h). However, there is no need to talk about a successful start - the sample lost control and collapsed, never reaching its destination. The reasons for the loss of communication with the missile remain unclear.

What will be the response of Russia?

It must be understood that "military" hypersound for Russia is not a new topic. The first attempts to create "something maneuverable and super-fast" were made in the USSR back in the 70s of the last century (meaning an experimental model with a split charge and a flight range of up to 3000 km; later it "entered the series" and was called "Cold" ), and their results formed the basis of the technology for the production of "elusive" warheads. "Topol-M", "Bulava", "Liner" - for these modifications of intercontinental ballistic missiles, it is common to change the heading and flight altitude on the final leg of the journey. And it's not a secret. But as for the presence of "aerospace planes" - everything here is shrouded in a veil of mystery.

The Americans, for example, are betting on the Falcon and X-51A. As expected, a new class aircraft will be able to constantly “hang” in orbit, and if necessary, launch deadly missiles that can hit a target in a matter of minutes. There is almost no information about Russian analogues. However, the calm demonstrated by the country's leadership indicates that the Kremlin still has a couple of trump cards up its sleeve.

Yu-71 as a tool to limit the effectiveness of overseas missile defense

Until February of this year, there was no reliable information about Object 4202. Nowhere did any information about the Yu-71 warhead (Yu-71) come up. But after the launch of the prototype from the Dombarovsky training ground, near Orenburg, all the dots over the “i” were finally dotted. Judging by the official report, by 2025 the local regiment of the Strategic Missile Forces will receive more than 20 special installations, each of which will be able to work with "invulnerable charges." Behind this wording lies what has been talked about for so long - Russia's latest hypersonic missiles.

Some analysts claim that the February tests did not go quite smoothly - they say, the “modernized” UR-100N (UTTKh) was the carrier, and it did not cope with the task. However, the achieved acceleration rate - about 5.2 Mach - is already a huge breakthrough. It remains to “tighten the nuts” and “tighten the bolts”.

Data coming from open sources indicate that the designers of NPO Mashinostroeniya (Reutov) are behind the implementation of the 4202 project, and they have been working in this direction since 2009. That is, with the observance of the regime of secrecy in the military department, things are going well.

Independent experts believe that Russia's new hypersonic cruise missile is a kind of "hybrid" capable of operating both independently and as part of an intercontinental ballistic launch system. Probably, we are talking about several modifications that will be compatible with both light Topols and heavier Sarmats (the debut of the latter is expected at the turn of 2019-2020).

The 25-140 km corridor is not the only topical area for research. Moscow is mastering the technology at an accelerated pace, which allows launching objects on unthinkable trajectories at ultra-low altitudes with an acceleration of Mach 3-4. Being aerodynamic targets for missile defense systems, such cruise missiles will be able to get ahead of interceptor charges and hit targets regardless of the saturation of the defensive shield.

Is the Pentagon ready for a meeting with Zircon?

Russian hypersonic missiles are a "closed" topic. What ends up in print is usually "deliberate drain". Therefore, there is no exact information about Zircon even now - three years after the official "bride-in" was supposed to take place. But if we take into account the fact that last summer military officials approved a program for the development of hypersonic technologies immediately for 6 years in advance, then the conclusion suggests itself: the phantom rocket performed adequately during the next exercise, its appearance in the Armed Forces is a settled issue.

It is suggested that the Zircon will become an operational element at a distance of 300 to 400 km. But how it will be in reality is still unknown. And this uncertainty greatly alarms the Pentagon - they are used to believing that the hypersonic missiles of Russia and the United States are very similar in their tactical and technical characteristics. The birth of the "eastern Phoenix", which has outstanding abilities, is a serious cause for concern for NATO generals.

Again, the mechanism for delivering Zircon to the target is unclear. And the Americans today are forced to puzzle over exactly what changes they should make to their "long-suffering" missile defense system in order to minimize the potential damage from the "sending".

Hypersonic missile and long-range aircraft: an explosive mixture

The head of "TRO" admits that the first hypersonic missiles of Russia will still be based not on ground stations with MBN, and in the air - on board ships of long-range and medium aviation. The reason for such changes may be the need to give combat elements initial speed(Practical tests have shown that during a “stationary launch”, a ramjet engine is not activated until the moment the loaded warhead is launched, and this negatively affects the acceleration dynamics).

With an additional “push” from the aircraft, a Russian hypersonic cruise missile can easily cross the Mach 6 threshold. According to Obnosov, in the future (not earlier than 2030), “profile launch vehicles” will appear in service - manned vehicles that accelerate to Mach 4-8.

American X-51A Waverider and domestic "Mosquito": no one is safe from failures

Overseas "partners" perceive Russia's hypersonic missiles as nightmare. Therefore, every year federal budget The United States allocates huge sums for development air force. One of these semi-secret projects is known under the code name X-51A Waverider.

The first and, in fact, the only "open" tests of the carrier took place in 2010. Then the X-51 booster stage launched the rocket along a steep trajectory to a height of 19.8 km, and the supersonic engine that turned on provoked the acceleration of the prototype to Mach 4.8. But after the prototype managed to rise another 1500 meters above the ground and accelerate to Mach 5 (more than 5.5 thousand km / h), interruptions in telemetry began. Since the signal from the object was unstable, it came to forced liquidation. By the way, according to a similar scenario, a month before the events described, the FHTV-2, an aircraft designed by the Boeing concern, was tested. It turns out that the same disconnection became the cause of the Falcon crash (the route ran over the non-navigable region of the Pacific Ocean, so they did not blow up the prototype).

It must be said that Russia also possesses hypersonic missiles not thanks to a "happy accident" - this event was preceded by dozens of unsuccessful launches and delayed launches. What is the "epopee" with the introduction of the anti-ship "Mosquito" (P-270) into operation? But there it was “only” about the speed in 4 Max!

Close acquaintance with the "Koala": Russian hypersonic missile "Kh-90"

The history of the creation of the X-90 goes back to the now distant 1971. The case concerned a medium-class strategic carrier applicable at low altitudes. However, the leadership of the USSR reacted to the initiative of the designers of NPO Raduga very cool, and until 1976 the project was not remembered. In the 80s prototypes already accelerated to Mach 4; at the same time, the idea of ​​\u200b\u200b"bifurcation" of the warhead was brought to life (each charge could be aimed at a separate target, provided that the distance to it from the point of "decay" did not exceed 100 km). In 1992, for obvious reasons, all developments were “mothballed”.

Five years later, the Russian hypersonic missile with the Kh-90 index was transformed into an "experimental aircraft operating at super speeds. In NATO, the project was immediately dubbed the AS-19 Koala. It is worth noting that Moscow officially insists that the Koala and X-90s built in the 1970s have nothing in common, although experts, all as one, say otherwise.

The speed of the 1997 hypersonic missile declared by the designers is Mach 5, the radius of action is 3500 km. After detaching from the TU-160M ​​(at an altitude of 7-20 km), the wing mechanism is activated. This is followed by the launch of a solid-fuel booster, which brings the combat unit to a supersonic level, and only then the main engine is turned on.

Modern Poplars and Stilettos are a new step in the evolution of the X-90. Large-scale military exercises in 2004 confirmed that 5000 m / s is far from the limit for a hypersonic warhead.

Moscow and Delhi: the birth of BrahMos-2

Of course, testing Russia's hypersonic missile was expensive. And it's not even about money, of which a lot has been spent on military needs over the past twenty years. Political and sometimes economic pressure from the West forced the Kremlin to "active defense", to search for new strategic partners...

Not so long ago, the tests of BrahMos were completed. The joint Russian-Indian project was marked by the birth of the "winged beast", which can move at a speed of 650 m/s. But no one is going to stop there. The next stage of cooperation is "BrahMos-2" with indicators of 6.5-7 Mach. If it is possible to realize what was planned, then Moscow and Delhi will be able to share the laurels of the winner, because one can only dream of a weapon with similar characteristics.

What is interesting: a high-ranking Pentagon official in an interview, answering a journalist's question about whether there are hypersonic missiles in the Russian Federation, chose to remain silent. Although some 15 years ago, foreign experts categorically stated that the Kremlin's expectations in this area were in vain, and that Mach 7 was an unattainable limit (according to unofficial data, the scramjet engine, created by domestic designers, successfully "passed the test" back in 1998).

Hypersonic technologies that have embodied in Russian rocket"Zircon" is a new word in the military sphere. This fact is acknowledged by both Russian and foreign experts. In "Zircon" it was possible to achieve the highest manufacturability. And even if the project is classified, it is already known about successful tests.

Judging by the declared characteristics, the main trump card of this weapon is speed. About 8 M, this is more than 9000 km / h, which was recorded at the peak of the trajectory - this is a guarantee that it is absolutely impossible to intercept a missile with existing defenses.

History of hypersonic missiles

The era of hypersonic missiles can be counted from the appearance of the first prototypes. Already Nazi Germany led such developments, but, obviously, the technologies were not developed enough to prepare a successful solution. Hypersound has always attracted the attention of the world's leading military powers. The possession of such weapons guaranteed a significant advantage in any possible conflict.

The first successes had to wait a long time. Soviet Union received a successful project only in the 80s of the twentieth century. The Kh-90 GELA missile was able to reach approximately 3,000 km/h. But the developments were urgently curtailed due to the collapse of the country and a catastrophic lack of budget.

The X-90 GELA turned out to be a very successful weapon.

She could carry two nuclear warheads, because of the plasma cloud formed around her - to remain invisible to detection systems. The main trump cards - the speed of 2.5 M and the ability to maneuver - made the interception of the missile a very difficult task. Recall that the speed M is the Mach speed, or the Mach number. In fact, this is the speed of sound propagation, it is different at different heights: near the ground it is 1224 km / h, at an altitude of 20 km - 1062 km / h

The second round of development of hypersonic weapons has already started in a new country, Russia. Presumably, tests began to be carried out in the mid-00s. Already in 2011, the project began to be finalized and improved. The new missile was named 3K22 Zircon. Tests and improvements passed quickly enough. It took only a few years, from 2012 to the end of 2013. Already in 2016, it was announced that the project was recognized as successful and would go into service.

The main difficulties at hypersonic speeds

Hypersonic and supersonic technologies took so long to develop for the simple reason that their implementation required the latest ideas and unique engineering solutions.

Today, anti-ship missiles are widely used, which develop a speed of 3-4 thousand km / h or 2.5-3 M. But such cruise weapons have their drawbacks. So, they are launched in the direction of the target, deprived of the ability to effectively maneuver. Missiles gain high altitude, which almost immediately allows them to be detected and calculated the trajectory of movement. The attacked object has more chances to successfully leave the affected area.

Higher speeds (which Zircon is currently developing) led to understandable difficulties.

Flights even in the upper layers of the atmosphere (about 20 km) with more than 3 M of speed were marked by the appearance of a thermal barrier. Due to air resistance, the main parts were subjected to serious heat. So, the air intakes reached 3000C, and other parts, even with excellent streamlining qualities, were heated up to 2500.

During the tests, it became clear that:

• duralumin elements, widely used in aviation, greatly lose strength already at 2300;
• at 5200 titanium and its alloys begin to deform;
• at 6500, the melting of magnesium and aluminum begins, even heat-resistant steel significantly loses its rigidity.

If we talk about a flight altitude of less than 20 km (which would lead to difficulties in detecting and intercepting), then the heating of the skin would reach 10,000C, which no known metal can withstand. Temperature is the main problem of hypersonic speeds.

Even if we do not take into account the huge heating of the metal and the parts necessary for guidance, the fuel begins to boil and decompose, losing its properties.

The problem could be solved with the use of hydrogen. But in liquid form, it is quite dangerous and difficult to store. And in the gaseous it takes up a large volume and has a low efficiency. Serious and long development required a radio frequency antenna. Classical signal receivers certainly burned out in a matter of seconds of hypersonic flight. The lack of communication with the center would lead to uncontrollable weapons and the loss of very important advantages.

Hypersonic missile "Zircon"

The solutions used on the Zircon hypersonic missile were tested on the Kh-90 GELA. Then unique developments made it possible to significantly increase top speed new carrier. For example, in order to catch a radio signal, they began to use a plasma cloud that formed in flight.

In order to reduce the heating of all parts of the rocket, it was decided to use fuel with a high hydrogen content mixed with water and kerosene. The bottom line was that the mixture was heated and fed into a mini-reactor, where hydrogen was released for acceleration. The reaction itself was accompanied by a decrease in temperature, which made it possible to cool the shell and parts. All these ideas made it possible to come close to achieving even supersonic.

Known specifications 3K22 "Zircon"

The Zircon's speed allows it to freely bypass all existing this moment missile defense and air defense systems. In support of these words, data from open sources are provided that advanced American systems anti-missiles react to an object in 8-10 seconds. It is obvious that the Zircon, even at cruising speed, will overcome 15-20 km during this time and turn into an unattainable goal. He will not be able to catch up, not to intercept.

Little is known about the armament of the missile. However, today Zircon is positioned as a complex of anti-ship missiles. Probably, its main targets will be well-fortified aircraft carriers. Hence the second name - "aircraft carrier killer".

Design and where Zircon will be used

Rocket "Zircon" for a long time was kept in the strictest confidence. And today, very few people managed to see this weapon with their own eyes. Nevertheless, we can conclude that the length of the rocket reaches 8 ... 10 m. It has a tail, as well as fairings in the middle part.

A characteristic feature can be called the nose, which is a flattened fairing, distributed to the sides.

It is planned to replace the P-700 Granit complex with hypersonic missiles. To date, the flagships of the fleet, the Admiral Nakhimov and Peter the Great, were armed with them and carriers of the Onyx and Caliber types. After their reconstruction, it is likely that the Zircons will form the basis of weapons.

Already in 2018, "Admiral Nakhimov" should undergo a complete modernization. "Peter the Great" - in 2022. New projects are also calculated for arming with Zircons.
These include:

• nuclear destroyers of the Leader project;

submarines of projects 885M "Ash-M" and "Husky".

According to the possible number of missiles, it is planned to install up to 60 Zircons on the ships Admiral Nakhimov and Peter the Great.

Hypersonic projects of the USA and other countries

Leading analysts of the world admit that Russia has managed the almost impossible, having overcome the speed of 7 Mach. Until recently, such acceleration was considered unattainable. "Zircon" flies at a speed of 8 M.

Zircon's competitors

The main competitor of Zircon is the US AHW project, which is capable of accelerating to Mach 7.5. It, like the Russian development, is a secret. It is only known that his tests pass with varying degrees of success. In 2011, out of two launches, one ended in an explosion. In 2014, the Americans, presumably, also failed.

Another direction - X-43A and X-51 Wave Ryder missiles give out 9.65 and 5.1 M, respectively. But the first tests showed that the engine on the X-43 worked no more than 11 seconds, and on the X-51 - 6 minutes. China is imposing serious competition on Russia and the United States. The PRC is developing a DF-ZF project. It is believed that the speed of the rocket fluctuates in the range of 5 ... 10 M. A serious advantage of the Chinese is that they plan to develop hypersonic weapons for installation on aircraft.

The future of the 3K22 project, if successfully implemented, is obvious.

If this top-secret project really gives out the declared characteristics in terms of speed and range, then similar view weapons were decades ahead of their time. Experts believe that the most advanced powers will be able to neutralize the advantages of Zircon not earlier than in 30 ... 50 years.

The adopted missiles will provide Russia with an advantage at sea. Based aboard submarines, they will protect the nearest borders of our country, threatening the enemy's large maritime formations.

Video

DATA FOR 2019 (standard replenishment)
Complex 3K-22 "Zirkon" / "Zirkon-S", missile 3M-22 - SS-NX-33

In 2011, a group of leading designers on the 3M-22 topic with Sergey Bunakov, Denis Vitushkin, Yuri Vorotyntsev and Alexei Naydenov () was organized at NPO Mashinostroeniya as part of the directorate 15-51 (). In the same 2011, a draft design of the Zircon-S complex was developed, and, accordingly, draft designs of the subsystems of the complex. Part of the development - "Zircon-S-ARK" and "Zircon-S-RV" was carried out by the structural subdivision of KTVR - UPKB "Detal" (). As of 2011, the organization of mass production of missiles of the Zircon complex in the coming years is planned at the Strela Production Association (Orenburg, ist. - Annual report, p.15). It is planned to complete the creation of the missile system 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 actual confirmation of this assumption, but it is likely that it was difficulties with work on the topic for technical reasons that could cause the Government's proposal to merge the Raduga Design Bureau with NPO Mashinostroeniya to organize work on hypersonic vehicles.

On February 8, 2017, the media reported on plans to conduct a test launch of the Zircon missile from a sea carrier in the spring of 2017. At the same time, it is reported that previous rocket launches were carried out from the Plesetsk training ground, which is contrary to the points of view existing in the expert community (). Most likely, Plesetsk was named by mistake and we are talking about the Nenoksa training ground.

The data are speculative and tentative at best. Sources are indicated. 3M-22 missile identification - . mention of the index 3K-22 -. Western designation SS-NX-33.

Estimated test table for a hypersonic missile:

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 upgraded missile cruiser pr.11442M, it is supposed to use 3M-22 missiles from the universal vertical launcher UVPU 3S-14-11442M. The development and production of launchers 3S-14-11442M is carried out by the "design bureau of special engineering" (St. Petersburg, part of the Almaz-Antey concern). Manufacturing will be based on Joint Solutions No. 235/1/1/8565 dated November 6, 2014 and terms of reference "Revision 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 higher launch loads than the standard 3S-14 launcher (May 2017).

The media reports that the rocket should "achieve universality in hitting sea and ground targets, as well as unification by launch types - underwater, surface, ground" (, 2016).

Control system and guidance:
In 2011, NPO Granit-Electron developed a draft 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 was developing working design documentation and control equipment for anti-ship missiles 3M22 ( ist. - Annual report of OJSC "Concern "Granit-Electron").

The development of control system devices (at least gyroscopic devices) is carried out by NPO Electromechanics (Miass, see - Annual report of OAO "NPO Electromechanics" 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 made by the structural unit of the 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 "carrying body" scheme with slightly elongated wings. Also, presumably, the rocket has a launch and a marching stage. The design of the rocket is designed for heating when moving in the atmosphere up to 1500 degrees. C and above.

The development of the rocket propulsion engine is probably being carried out by Department 08 of the NPO Mashnostroeniya. As of 2009-2010, together with the Orion design bureau, a power plant with a ramjet engine "for a foreign customer" is being tested - presumably for the BrahMos-II rocket. In 2009, successful fire tests of engines were carried out ().

FSUE NIIPM (Perm) in its annual report for 2013 reports on solid propellant charges, igniters and gas generators, including those for the Zircon weapons system.

There is an assumption that a classic ramjet without supersonic combustion is used on the rocket. The assumption is based on an interview with Academician Fedosov dated September 4, 2017, in which he said that work on the creation of a SG ramjet has not yet left the experimental phase.

TTX missiles:
Length - estimated from 8 to 10.5 m (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 warhead of the rocket was developed and produced by GosNIImash as of 2014 ( ist. - Annual report of GosNIIMash for 2014).

carriers:
- PLA K-560 "Severodvinsk" project 885 / GRANEY - in the winter of 2016-2017. The submarine was converted to test the Zircon anti-ship missiles from the UKSK 3S-14 launcher.

Submarines pr.885M "Ash-M" - probably the submarines will be equipped with an improved 3S-14 complex with the possibility of using Zircon missiles.

SSGN pr.949AM - probably will 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 3S-14 launchers ().

Heavy nuclear missile cruiser "Admiral Nakhimov" - after modernization, which is underway as of 2016, it is planned to use from launchers 3S-14-11442M ().

Promising SSGN 5th generation

Status: Russia - the conclusions that it was the rocket of the Zircon complex that participated in the events indicated below are an assumption!

2012 July-August - presumably a drop test (or failed test) of a rocket from an aircraft. Presumably with Tu-22M3. Tests were conducted in Akhtubinsk ().

August 2013 - presumably the second test launch - unsuccessful or partially successful - after the launch, an interview appeared with the head of KTRV Obnosov with information that we already have missiles that fly briefly at hypersonic (4.5M) ().

2013 September - another test launch is expected before the end of the month - presumably a prototype of the Zircon rocket or a similar hypersonic rocket ().

September 30, 2013 - a source reports that the test launch of the rocket probably ended unsuccessfully ().

July 15, 2015 - announces readiness for testing of anti-ship missiles "Zirkon". 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 OJSC PO "Strela" for 2011 2012 ()
Annual report of OJSC "Concern "Granit-Electron" for 2012, St. Petersburg, 2013
Annual report of OJSC "NPO Electromechanics" 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. Site "Vzglyad", 2011 ().

The presentation of the latest Russian cruise missile 3M22 Zircon on March 17, 2016, despite the silence of most media, did not go unnoticed by the expert community and the military. Assumptions immediately appeared regarding the tactical and technical characteristics of the new brainchild of Rosoboronprom. Preliminary test data gave reason to believe that soon the Russian Navy and naval aviation can receive a completely new and powerful weapon. These missiles are supposed to re-equip the Orlan-type TARKR project 1144, to equip the Leader project cruisers and Husky-type submarines under construction.

The history of the creation of the latest rocket

The data obtained during the tests indicate that the Russian defense industry has managed to create a combat cruise missile that has reached hypersonic speed(higher than the speed of sound by 5-6 times). The 3M22 Zircon hypersonic cruise missile transforms modern systems Air defense in a pile of unnecessary trash.

Appearance latest superweapon has its own background, consisting of a chain important facts. Work on the creation of a rocket capable of flying at hypersonic speeds was carried out in the USSR in the mid-70s. Back in the 1970s, the Dubna design bureau "Rainbow" developed the X-90 cruise missile, capable of reaching speeds of up to 3-4 M in flight. However, with the collapse of the Union, due to lack of funding, work was curtailed. Only 20 years later they returned to this topic again, but on the basis of new technologies.

The first information about the development of a new anti-ship complex equipped with cruise tactical missiles appeared at the end of 2011.

The development of a prototype hypersonic missile was carried out by the Central Institute of Aviation Motors (CIAM) in the city of Lytkarino, Moscow Region.

The model of anti-ship missiles presented at the exhibition stands was strikingly different in its shape from the usual cigar-shaped cruise missiles. It was a box-shaped body with a flattened spade fairing. At the air show, the name of the unusual missile system, Zircon, was also announced for the first time.

In parallel, the latest radio altimeter and automatic radio compass were developed. The research and production enterprise "Granit-Electron" was actively engaged in the creation navigation equipment and autopilot systems.

The parent company Strela, which produces strike anti-ship systems Oniks, announced the start of preparing a production base for the production of the latest cruise missile. According to many sources, the latest weapons system will be able to radically change the situation at sea. However, after the MAKS air show, almost all information about the progress on the Zircon topic disappeared from public information resources.

The meager information leaking to the media was clearly insufficient. And only by the scale of involvement in the Zircon project of the largest specialized enterprises could one judge the properties of this project.

What surprised the world

After the first tests, it became clear that the new missile is capable of flying twice as fast as the latest British sea-launched cruise missile "Sea Ceptor". The anti-missiles currently in service with NATO fleets are capable of successfully combating the Granit anti-ship missiles and similar aircraft, the speed of which reaches 2000-2500 km/h. Western anti-missiles are powerless against the latest Russian development. The flight range of the Russian anti-ship missiles will be approximately 300-400 km, which is quite enough for the effective destruction of ships outside the radio contact zone.

As it later became known, the Zircon missiles became a modernized version of the Indian Bramos sea-launched cruise missile, which was created jointly by the two countries. The basis for the development of the latest weapons was the anti-ship complex P-800 "Onyx". The emphasis in the development of the rocket was on its high speed. According to experts, a new generation of high-speed anti-ship missiles pose a big problem for air defense systems. There is very little time to detect a projectile flying towards the target in order not only to qualify the type of threat, but also to take adequate countermeasures.

Russian Project 1144 nuclear cruisers, re-equipped with the latest cruise missiles, will again become a real threat to the dominance of the American fleet on the seas. Initially, it is planned to equip the upgraded Admiral Nakhimov TARKR with new missile systems. Later, the flagship of the Northern Fleet TARKR "Peter the Great" awaits the same fate. The plans include the construction of nuclear attack submarines of the Husky type, armed with hypersonic cruise missiles, this will radically shift the balance of world naval forces towards the Russian fleet.

The main technical subtleties and nuances in the creation of a new generation rocket

The need for a new anti-ship missile did not arise immediately. The missile systems P-600 "Granit" and P-800 "Onyx", which were in service with the fleet, continue to be a formidable force today. However, the developers of state-of-the-art shipborne air defense systems are not wasting their time either. According to experts in the field of operational-tactical weapons, in a couple of years combat capabilities sea-based cruise missiles will be exhausted due to the effectiveness of the ships' anti-missile defense.

In this regard, the idea of ​​a significant modernization of the Russian Navy with new types of weapons arose. One of the directions of the process was the development of a new anti-ship complex with high-speed cruise missiles. The presence of such weapons on large and small ships of the fleet will become effective tool containment at sea. The new 3M22 missile has unique performance characteristics, but there is no exact data on them yet. Even preliminary data say that the new weapon is a serious step towards the emergence of new types and types of weapons.

Why is the new Russian missile called hypersonic? The fact is that today strike missiles have an average flight speed of 2-2.5 MAX. The new development must fly at a speed of at least 4500 km / h, exceeding the sound barrier by 5-6 times. To create such a swift projectile is not an easy task. Even at the project stage, difficulties arose with how to achieve the necessary acceleration of the rocket. The use of traditional rocket engines for these purposes should have no effect.

Vehicles flying at supersonic speeds are fundamentally different from vehicles flying at hypersonic speeds. Ordinary turbo jet engine after exceeding the speed of sound three times, it loses traction - the main indicator of work efficiency aircraft engine. Neither a liquid nor a solid-propellant jet engine is suitable for such a type of weapon as cruise missiles. The rocket performs certain evolutions during the flight, which cannot be ensured by the operating sustainer rocket engines and turbojet engines with constant thrust.

The result of scientific and technical research was a ramjet engine capable of operating in conditions of supersonic combustion. For these purposes, even a new type of rocket fuel "Decilin-M" with increased energy intensity was developed.

During the flight of a rocket in airspace at an altitude of 50-200 meters, the body of the projectile heats up to high temperatures, therefore, new heat-resistant alloys were used in the manufacture of the product.

For reference: The first American hypersonic aircraft "Valkyrie" developed a speed of up to 3200 km/h. The airframe of the aircraft was made of titanium. It was impractical and expensive to use such an expensive metal for mass production of missiles.

It was no less difficult to solve the problem of homing missiles at high speeds. Unlike well-known aeroballistic combat systems capable of flying at hypersonic speeds and at altitudes up to 100 km, a cruise missile has a different scope. The main flight of the rocket takes place in the dense layers of the atmosphere. Unlike ballistic missiles, the KR has a flat flight path and a shorter range. All these requirements pose new challenges for weapons developers.

In flight at hypersonic speed, due to the appearance of a plasma cloud around the flying projectile, a natural distortion of the target designation parameters appears. It was decided to install advanced electronic equipment on the new missile, capable of leading the projectile to the target at high speed, despite the opposition of powerful electromagnetic fields.

Plans of the Supreme Naval Leadership regarding the combat capabilities of the new missile

The rocket was first launched at a flight test site in Aktobe in 2012. The launch was carried out from strategic missile carrier Tu-22M3. Further launches were carried out from ground launchers. The complex of basic tests is already coming to an end. There are still shortcomings in the operation of the propulsion system and guidance system, but this, according to the creators of the rocket, can be eliminated in the near future. Preparations are underway for the launch of new weapons in a series.

The high naval command believes that one TARKR "Peter the Great", armed with hypersonic anti-ship missiles "Zirkon", will be able to single-handedly withstand a whole combat formation of ships of a potential enemy. In coastal maritime theaters, Russian small and medium-sized warships equipped with latest rocket, will be able to control the entire water area. In terms of range and speed, the Russian missile has no analogues either in the Turkish Navy or in the fleets of the countries of the Baltic basin.

The situation is similar with the re-equipment of the ships of the Pacific Fleet. The new armament will significantly enhance the operational and tactical capabilities of Pacific Fleet ships in pacific ocean. In some way, this will create a reliable springboard for strengthening the defense capability of the Far Eastern borders in the face of a real threat.

Finally

The latest developments of Russian designers have baffled the defense departments of the United States, Great Britain and China, which assess the emergence of the latest hypersonic missile as a potential threat to their navies. To date, the technical equipment of the Russian fleet with operational-tactical weapons is in a satisfactory state, however, constant technological progress leads to the rapid obsolescence of combat potential. modern fleet. Yesterday, the powerful Granit cruise missiles frightened American admirals, but today missile weapons Russian ships already in need of improvement.

The Zircon hypersonic cruise missile is far ahead of its time in terms of its parameters. The technologies that formed the design of the industrial design are years ahead of the technological level of armament and equipment of the fleet. The new submarines being designed at the Malakhit Design Bureau are being developed as combat platforms for a new generation of weapons.

One should not discount the fact that the new frigates and corvettes, which today represent the backbone of the Russian Navy, will be armed with hypersonic missiles in the future.

In China, such developments are also moving at a rapid pace. The latest Chinese anti-ship missile DF-21 with a range of up to 3,000 km can enter service with the PLA Navy within 2-3 years. The Americans are trying to keep up with Russia and China, working on the X-51A X-51 Wave Rider project. This hypersonic missile should not be inferior to Russian and Chinese development.

Before the real flight of the American offspring, it did not come. China only plans to complete the work by 2020. At the operational-tactical level, the Russian hypersonic missile already has real outlines in metal, has been tested and is being prepared for serial production. What will be the fate of the latest weapons, time will tell. Nevertheless, the modernization of the Russian fleet and the rearmament of ships will begin in the near future.

If you have any questions - leave them in the comments below the article. We or our visitors will be happy to answer them.

In a message to the Federal Assembly, the president surprised the Russians with the latest weapons

In his message to the Federal Assembly, Vladimir Putin spoke about the country's latest weapons: the Sarmat strategic missile system, an unlimited-range cruise missile, an underwater drone, the Kinzhal aviation missile system, a hypersonic missile system with a gliding winged unit, and a combat laser system.

Russia is testing the Sarmat missile system

In fact, Putin officially confirmed the information that Russia is already testing the latest intercontinental ballistic missile "Sarmat". For the first time, Moskovsky Komsomolets reported this in December 2017, indirectly about the tests in January 2018 of the Ministry of Defense.

According to the newspaper, the first throw test of the Sarmat, which took place at the Plesetsk cosmodrome in the Arkhangelsk region, was a success. It was noted that the mine launcher and the rocket worked normally, and the rocket flew several tens of kilometers and fell within the range. The President noted that "no, even promising missile defense systems, are a hindrance to the Russian missile system." According to the developers, the Sarmat, carrying a payload of about ten tons, has a flight range of about 16 thousand kilometers, that is, it is capable of reaching the enemy along ballistic trajectory passing through South Pole, and is also capable of moving at ultra-low altitude.

A small-sized heavy-duty nuclear power plant for a global-range cruise missile has been created in Russia

Russia has created a "small-sized super-powerful nuclear power plant, which is located in the body of a cruise missile" and provides dozens of times greater flight range than other missiles. "Low-flying stealth cruise missile carrying a nuclear warhead, with a practically unlimited range, an unpredictable flight path and the ability to bypass interception lines, is invulnerable to all existing and future systems, both missile defense and air defense,” Putin said.

In fact, here we are talking about vehicles flying at high speed and low altitude - non-ballistic types of strategic weapons against which traditional missile defense systems are not effective. It was known about the ongoing developments of this kind in the country before, for example, only in February 2018 already about work on the creation of a low-altitude supersonic unmanned complex long range, which can fly like a cruise missile. However, then it was about an unmanned aircraft, and nothing was said about its power plant.

Frame: Russia 24 / YouTube

Russia has begun to create an unmanned aerial vehicle underwater vehicle"Status-6"

In addition to air cruise missiles, an innovative nuclear power plant will receive a new underwater drone capable of moving at ultra-great depths with an unlimited range. “I would say, at a very great depth and at an intercontinental range at a speed multiple of that of submarines, the most modern torpedoes and all types of even the fastest surface ships,” Putin said. The head of state added that such drones have low noise and high maneuverability, and “means that can resist them simply do not exist in the world today.”

Putin said that "the results of the tests made it possible for us to start creating a fundamentally new type of strategic weapon equipped with high-yield nuclear weapons." In fact, here we are talking about the Status-6 underwater swimming apparatus - a weapon of mass destruction, for the destruction of enemy economic facilities. The ongoing development of such weapons in Russia in conditions of high secrecy first became known in November 2015. Experts suggest that in its most lethal version, Status-6 will be a cobalt bomb with a yield of about a hundred megatons, the detonation of which off the coast of the United States will lead to powerful tsunamis that destroy large cities (New York and Los Angeles) and subsequent radiation damage to the territory they occupy, making them unsuitable for human life.

Frame: Channel One

Russia has a "Dagger"

“In December last year, the complex began to carry out experimental combat duty at the airfields of the Southern Military District. Unique flight performance high-speed carrier aircraft make it possible to deliver a missile to the drop point in a matter of minutes, while the missile, flying at hypersonic speeds ten times the speed of sound, also maneuvers in all parts of the flight path. This also allows it to reliably overcome all existing and, I think, promising air defense and missile defense systems, delivering nuclear and conventional warheads to the target at a distance of up to two thousand kilometers, ”Putin said about the new Kinzhal complex, which includes an aircraft carrying hypersonic rocket.

Russia has a hypersonic missile system with a planning winged unit

The President also announced the tests of the Avangard, a hypersonic missile system with a gliding winged unit, carried out in the country, which "is distinguished by its ability to fly in dense layers of the atmosphere at an intercontinental range, at a hypersonic speed exceeding the Mach number by more than 20 times." According to Putin, "it goes to the target, like a meteorite, like a fireball, the temperature on the surface of the product is 1600-2000 degrees Celsius," and "the winged unit is reliably controlled." Such characteristics of the complex, the head of state notes, were ensured by the use of composite materials.

Russian military receive combat laser systems

“Thus, significant results have been achieved in the creation of laser weapons, and this is no longer just a theory or projects, and not even just the start of production. Combat laser systems have already been delivered to the troops since last year. I do not want to go into details in this part, it's just not the time yet. But experts will understand that the presence of such combat systems greatly expands Russia's capabilities in the field of its security," Putin said. Thus, the president actually confirmed the recent statement that the country has completed the creation of a laser complex designed to suppress air and space reconnaissance vehicles from an aircraft.