Zircon Hypersonic Cruise Missile

Full Specifications

The 3M22 Zircon represents one of Russia’s most advanced hypersonic strike weapons, engineered to deliver extremely high-speed precision against high-value maritime and land targets. Built as part of Moscow’s next-generation missile modernization, the Zircon is designed to outrun modern air-defense networks through sheer velocity and advanced maneuverability.

Developed by NPO Mashinostroyenia, the Zircon originated from Russia’s longstanding pursuit of hypersonic propulsion technologies. The missile is primarily intended for deployment aboard naval platforms, including frigates, cruisers, and submarines equipped with the universal UKSK vertical-launch system. Its mission profile centers on rapid-response strike operations, anti-ship warfare, and penetration of advanced missile defense systems.

The Zircon is reported to reach speeds of Mach 8–9, enabled by a scramjet propulsion system that allows sustained flight at extreme velocities. Estimated operational range varies from 1,000 km to 1,500 km, depending on launch conditions. The missile’s guidance architecture is believed to incorporate INS, satellite navigation, and radar homing, ensuring terminal accuracy even in contested electronic environments.

A conventional high-explosive warhead—assessed at 300–400 kg—delivers significant destructive power against hardened naval or land targets. Its ability to maneuver unpredictably at hypersonic speeds significantly reduces interception probability, making it one of the most challenging weapons for modern defenses to counter.

Operational reports suggest the Zircon has entered limited service with the Russian Navy, with ongoing integration across additional platforms. For defense observers and U.S. analysts, the system represents a major benchmark in hypersonic weapons development and a central component of Russia’s anti-access/area-denial (A2/AD) strategy.

Zircon Hypersonic Cruise Missile Price in United State

The Zircon Hypersonic Cruise Missile is not commercially available, and no official U.S. pricing exists. However, defense analysts estimate that comparable hypersonic missile programs may cost several million dollars per unit, depending on configuration, guidance systems, and production scale.

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