Russia's Defense Ministry begins mass production of Tsirkon hypersonic cruise missiles, and it will be documented this year, Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu said on Saturday in a televised interview with Rossiya-1 channel on the sidelines of the Army-2022 forum.
"We are starting serial production of the Tsirkon missile. In fact, we have put it (the missile - TASS) into service, and it will be documented as early as this year, let’s call it that," he said.
Shoigu pointed out that production of advanced weapons systems, including Sarmat missiles, was included in the contracts inked at the Army-2022 forum.
"As for Kinzhal missiles, of course, [their] production will be continued," he said.
Poster Comment:
Kinzhal hypersonic missile. Mach 12. Air launched. Range 1,200 miles from launch point. Because it flies at hypersonic speeds within the atmosphere, the air pressure in front of it forms a plasma cloud as it moves, absorbing radio waves (Plasma stealth). With a mass of 2,000 kg (4,400 lb) and a speed of Mach 12 (including 500 kg (881.85) warhead and the other parts of the missile), the Kinzhal has more than 16.9 gigajoules of kinetic energy, or the equivalent of 4,000 kg (8,882 pounds) of TNT.
Zircon is Mach 10. Cruise missile. 300 KG warhead.