Russia’s Zircon hypersonic missile

The Zircon’s hypersonic speed – reportedly nine times the speed of sound – could mean greatly reduced reaction time for air defences

ZIRCON HYPERSONIC CRUISE MISSILE (NATO name SS-N-33) 

Role: Anti-ship/ground attack
            
Launch platforms Submarines, surface ships or land

Warhead
Conventional or nuclear

Second stage
Scramjet motor takes over, using liquid fuel to achieve hypersonic flight

Booster stage
Solid fuel engine accelerates missile to supersonic speeds

Air forced down ever-narrowing funnel before fuel is ignited

Specifications (estimated)
Warhead 300-400kg
Range   350-500km (1,000km claimed)
Speed Mach 8-9 (9,800-11,025km/h)
Flight altitude 30-40km

Length: 8-10m 


MISSILE TRAJECTORY
Conventional ballistic missile Easier to predict and intercept

Hypersonic cruise missile Hard to detect, track and intercept

Earth’s atmosphere (100km)

Launch site

Target
           

Sources: Army Recognition, Reuters, The Conversation, Ukrinform
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