What is the speed of the new rocket. Impact "Zircon": what the newest hypersonic missile will be like

The range of the first modification of the Zircon was about 500 km at a speed of 2.5 km/sec . In other words, the rocket's speed is almost eight times the speed of sound. And this means only one thing: by no means air defense you can't knock her down. For example, the reaction time of the US Aegis air defense missile system is about 8–10 seconds. “Zircon” at a speed of 2.5 km/sec will fly 20-25 km during this time. Ground-based interceptor missiles simply will not have time to catch up with it.

There is already information that the first ships to be armed with the ZK22 will be the heavy nuclear-powered missile cruiser Admiral Nakhimov and the nuclear-powered cruiser Pyotr Velikiy. Each of them has 20 Granit anti-ship missile launchers; each installation can accommodate three Zircons. That is, 60 new missiles instead of 20.

As noted by military expert Konstantin Sivkov, the adoption of the Zircon into service will lead to the fact that the role of US aircraft carrier forces will be greatly weakened in favor of Russian nuclear cruisers.

American Congressman Trend Franks commented on the Russian military innovation: “The hypersonic era is approaching. Enemy developments radically change the fundamental laws of war.” The congressman is right. The appearance of "Zircon" with nuclear warheads makes any missile defense system meaningless for the next thirty years. America has already begun to rewrite its main militaristic document - military doctrine, since the techniques and scenarios indicated in the current version have lost their relevance. In particular, the West will have to radically update its defensive weapons. They haven’t figured out how to do this yet, but it will cost US taxpayers a pretty penny.

The topic of “military” hypersound has not left the front pages of the world’s leading publications for several decades now. Moreover, this issue is addressed 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 the production of hypersonic aircraft (HSV) on stream before potential opponents will gain real freedom in foreign policy. New offensive weapons 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 remain a thing of the past.

According to experts, Moscow and Washington are once again became participants in an undeclared 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 classified as “Top Secret”

Today they talk about the “absolute weapon” on literally every corner. Newspapers, magazines, television programs- everywhere they are trumpeting the imminent approach of a “terrifying prospect.” And at the same time the flow is real useful information so meager that sometimes one gets the impression that hypersonic cruise missiles- this is nothing more than a figment of the imagination of science fiction writers.

Why is this happening? Yes, because, having made the results of individual developments public, the military is in no hurry to reveal all its cards, because what is at stake is the future of the country, its ability to adequately respond to global threats and challenges from potential adversaries. In addition, many projects have the status of state secrets, and this not only complicates the professional activities of journalists, but also “silences” those who could tell something about shifts and breakthroughs in this direction. Nevertheless, piecemeal evidence suggests that Russian rocket troops are on the verge of a qualitative rebirth, that in another year or two, 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. Currently, only intercontinental ballistic missiles can boast of similar tactical and technical indicators. However, their “cruising acceleration” can be realized exclusively in airless space (at enormous altitudes). As is known, material body, located in space, is deprived of aerodynamic maneuvering, that is, invulnerability.

A hypersonic cruise missile (Russia still has to conduct a number of tests before the modernized Koala model, which is what 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 destruction radius several tens of thousands of kilometers. In fact, such a combat unit is the embodiment of a military dream, because, in addition to speed and “selectivity,” it will have absolute invulnerability.

Not 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 test site in Akhtubinsk, capable of reaching a speed of 5 thousand km/h. And although the rocket was able to stay in the air for only a few tens of seconds, the designer clearly hinted that final success was close, and that the American product - the notorious X-51A - was 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 “hypersonics” is undoubtedly colossal. According to intelligence information, the practical implementation of the idea is part of an overall strategy aimed at “forcing” Moscow to geopolitical capitulation. In other words, the Pentagon has once again set a course for building 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 internal processes. However, the possibility of 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 is behind NASA's space programs?

NASA's peaceful space exploration program is actually not so 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). Tests carried out 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” were 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/sec.). 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. The American Air Force is simultaneously working 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 crashed, never reaching its destination. The reasons for the loss of communication with the missile remain unclear.

What will Russia's response be?

We must understand that “military” hypersound is not a new topic for Russia. The first attempts to create “something maneuverable and super-fast” were made in the USSR back in the 70s of the last century (this refers to an experimental model with a dual charge and a flight range of up to 3000 km; it later “entered the series” and was called “Cold” ), and their results formed the basis for the production technology of “elusive” warheads. “Topol-M”, “Bulava”, “Liner” - for these modifications of intercontinental ballistic missiles It is common to change directional direction and flight altitude on the final leg of the flight. And it's no secret. But as far as the presence of “aerospace aircraft” is concerned, everything here is shrouded in a veil of mystery.

The Americans, for example, are betting on Falcon and X-51A. It is assumed that a new class of aircraft will be able to constantly “hang” in orbit, and, if necessary, launch deadly missiles, capable of hitting a target in a matter of minutes. ABOUT Russian analogues almost no information is received. However, the calm demonstrated by the country's leadership indicates that the Kremlin still has a trump card or two up its sleeve.

"Yu-71" as a tool for limiting the effectiveness of overseas missile defense

Until February of this year, there was no reliable information about Object 4202. Information about the Yu-71 warhead has not surfaced anywhere. But after the launch of the prototype from the Dombarovsky test site, near Orenburg, all the i’s 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 formulation lies what has been talked about for so long - Russian hypersonic missiles of the latest type.

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

Data coming from open sources, testify: behind the implementation of the “4202” project are the designers of NPO Mashinostroeniya (Reutov), ​​and they have been working in this direction since 2009. That is, with respect to the secrecy regime 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 the light Topols and the heavier Sarmatians (the debut of the latter is expected at the turn of 2019-2020).

The 25-140 km corridor is not the only relevant area for research. Moscow is rapidly mastering technology that allows objects to be launched onto unimaginable 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 outpace interceptor charges and hit targets regardless of the saturation of the defensive shield.

Is the Pentagon ready to meet Zircon?

Russian hypersonic missiles are a “closed” topic. What ends up in print is, as a rule, an “intentional leak.” Therefore, there is no exact information about Zircon even now - three years after the official “bride” 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 for the next 6 years at once, then the conclusion arises: the phantom missile performed well during the regular exercises, its appearance in the Armed Forces is a settled issue.

It has been suggested that Zircon will become an element operational purpose at a distance of 300 to 400 km. But what will happen in reality is still unknown. And this uncertainty greatly alarms the Pentagon - they are accustomed 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 extraordinary abilities, is a serious cause for concern for NATO generals.

Again, the mechanism for delivering Zircon to the target is unclear. And the Americans are already forced to rack their brains over exactly what changes they should make to their “long-suffering” missile defense system in order to minimize the potential damage from the “package.”

Hypersonic missile and long-range aircraft: an explosive mixture

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

With an additional “push” from the aircraft, a Russian hypersonic cruise missile can easily cross the threshold of Mach 6. According to Obnosov, in the future (no earlier than 2030) “profile launch vehicles” will appear in service - manned vehicles accelerating to Mach 4-8.

American X-51A Waverider and domestic “Mosquito”: no one is immune from failures

Overseas “partners” perceive Russian hypersonic missiles as bad dream. Therefore, huge sums are allocated annually from the US federal budget 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 accelerating stage launched the rocket along a steep trajectory to an altitude of 19.8 km, and the switching on supersonic engine provoked the acceleration of the prototype to Mach 4.8. But after the prototype managed to rise another 1,500 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 cause of the Falcon crash was the same communication failure (the route ran over a non-navigable area of ​​the Pacific Ocean, so they did not blow up the prototype).

It must be said that Russia also has hypersonic missiles not thanks to a “happy accident” - this event was preceded by dozens of unsuccessful launches and delayed launches. Just what is the “epic” worth with the introduction of the anti-ship “Mosquito” (P-270) into operation? But there they were talking “only” about speed at 4 Max!

A Closer Look at the Koala: Russia's Kh-90 Hypersonic Missile

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

Five years later, the Russian hypersonic missile with the index “X-90” was transformed into an “experimental aircraft, operating at super speeds." NATO immediately dubbed the project AS-19 Koala. It is worth noting that officially Moscow insists that the Koala and X-90 assemblies of the 70s have nothing in common, although experts, one and all, say the opposite.

Speed ​​declared by the designers hypersonic missile model 1997 - Mach 5, range - 3500 km. After disconnecting from the TU-160M ​​(at an altitude of 7-20 km), the wing mechanism is activated. This is followed by the launch of the solid fuel accelerator, which outputs combat unit to the supersonic line, and only then the main engine is turned on.

Modern “Topols” 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 we’re not even talking about money, a lot of which 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” and to search for new strategic partners...

The BrahMos tests were completed not long ago. The joint Russian-Indian project was marked by the birth of a “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 Max. If we succeed in realizing our plans, then Moscow and Delhi will be able to share the laurels of the winner, because one can only dream of weapons with similar characteristics.

What’s interesting: in one of the interviews, a high-ranking Pentagon official, answering a journalist’s question about whether the Russian Federation has hypersonic missiles, 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).

The American television channel CNBC reported: tests of the Zircon hypersonic missilewent well

Citing sources familiar with US intelligence reports, CNBC reported that on December 10, 2018, Russia conducted another test of the Zircon ship-based hypersonic missile. According to the channel's interlocutors, during the test the rocket accelerated to a speed eight times the speed of sound (Mach 8, or approximately 9,800 km/h). It was previously reported that the speed of the Zircons should exceed the speed of sound by 5–6 times. "Successful test carried out on last week, showed that the Russians were able to achieve stable flight of the rocket, which is critical in the development hypersonic weapons"One of the military experts explained to CNBC.

CNBC's interlocutors noted that the United States is not yet able to reliably protect its ships and other objects from Zircons.

Work on the newest so-called interspecific missile system 3K22 with the 3M22 missile, developed by the Reutov NPO Mashinostroyenia Corporation, has been ongoing at least since 2011. France is conducting similar work. China tested the WU-14 gliding GZLA.

In Russia, launches of the latest hypersonic product have been carried out for several years, but only today some test results and performance characteristics of the rocket have been declassified.

“During testing, the new Russian hypersonic anti-ship missile Zircon reached eight speeds of sound,” said a source in the military-industrial complex.

“During the tests of the rocket, it was confirmed that its speed on the march reaches Mach 8,” the agency’s interlocutor said. However, he did not specify when and from which platform the launch took place. The source added that Zircon can be launched from the same launchers that are used for the Caliber and Onyx missiles.

Cruise missiles "Zircon" (3M22) are being developed at the corporation "Tactical missile weapons" at least since 2011. According to open information, the missile's range can be up to 400 kilometers. The export version of the Zircon missile, according to UGATU experts, is an anti-ship missile "BrahMos-II".

https://youtu.be/imPNYBcCO-4?t=2

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https://youtu.be/06WBFscK6eQ?t=4

The technical characteristics of Zircon are currently classified. Despite the fact that Zircon tests have been going on for a long time, there is very little information about the missile. There is no information whether an aviation version exists.

However, some performance characteristics Zircon missiles can be designated now, based on the history and dynamics of the design and testing process of the 3M22 product.

What is the rocket for, what is the likely target?

Russian warships and submarines will be armed primarily with Zircon hypersonic cruise missiles. How does Zircon differ from the already more or less well-known AGBO product - aeroballistic hypersonic combat equipment (aka product 4202)?

Firstly,

Unlike hypersonic combat equipment, the Zircon performs its entire flight in the atmosphere, significantly below the boundary between the Earth’s atmosphere and space.

Secondly,

If product 4202 is a strategic system for hitting targets at a distance of thousands of kilometers, then 3M22 is developing a line of heavy anti-ship missiles “Basalt” – “Granite” – “Onyx”, destroying surface and ground targets at a range of 300-400 km.

The scope of application imposes strict restrictions on Zircon on the strength of the structure, units and other performance characteristics. At hypersonic speeds, the rocket is exposed to high-temperature flow. It causes the structure to heat up to several thousand degrees (and the lower the flight altitude, the greater the load).

“One of the carriers of the Zircon missile should be the fifth-generation submarine Husky, developed by the Malachite Marine Engineering Bureau.”

At the same time, the Zircon must not only fly to a certain area, but, having detected the target, overcome enemy air defenses. Against the background of electronic interference, the missile must identify the desired object and be guaranteed to hit it. Hence the extremely high requirements. Taking into account the speed of the Zircon rocket, its RLGSN must operate under maximum load conditions.

The rocket's navigation system, which controls the flight during the cruising phase, is distinguished by accuracy and speed. At the final part of the trajectory, the target is identified by a radar homing head, the operation of which will be interfered with by false targets and electronic interference.

For a potential enemy, “Zircon” is a target that cannot be dealt with not only by the air defense systems in service with the potential enemy, but also by promising ones, work on which is just underway.

A brief history of the creation of a hypersonic anti-ship missile

Let us restore the chronology of events in order to assess exactly what capabilities the Zircon missile gives the Russian Navy.

The first mentions in open sources of the creation of a missile system with the Zircon 3K22 hypersonic operational anti-ship missile appeared in the media at the end of 2011. Later, the corporate newspaper of the NPO Mashinostroeniya "Tribuna VPK" wrote that in 2011, a group of chief designers was created in one of the directorates on the topic 3M22.

In 2011, the Central Institute of Aviation Engine Engineering from Lytkarino near Moscow showed hypersonic vehicles at the MAKS air show. Models of rockets were exhibited at the institute's stand. unusual shape- similar to the Australian platypus (they had a flattened spade-shaped fairing and a box-shaped body).

It was then that the name of the promising Zircon missile system was announced; its creation was officially announced for the first time only now. By the way, the Indian company Brahmos announced work on hypersonic vehicles, demonstrating a model of the same “platypus”.

Interesting information is provided by the annual report of the member Tactical Missile Corporation Ural design and engineering Bureau "Detail"(one of the areas of his work is the development of radio altimeters). In 2011, on the topic “Zircon”, a design of two products was approved and sent to the customer (NPOmash) - "Zircon-S-ARK" And "Zircon-S-RV". Experts believe that the abbreviation RV means radio altimeter, and ARC stands for automatic radio compass.

Same year NPO "Granit-Electron", leading developer of radio-electronic systems of the Russian Navy, reported on the creation of a project for 3M22 autopilot and inertial navigation systems. In the 2011 report of the Orenburg NPO Mashinostroyenia, part of the corporation Strela software(which produces anti-ship cruise missiles, including the P-800 Oniks), the priority for the coming years is the creation of a production base for the serial production of Zircon missiles.

According to the report of the NPO Mashinostroyenia Corporation for 2012, the development of industrial production technology has begun laser and optical-electronic systems of a complex of transceiver devices and computing facilities for guidance of hypersonic missiles.

It was at this time that the name “Zircon” disappeared from all open sources. Even from the Strela PA report for 2012, points about creating a base for the production of a new rocket were removed.

At the same time, Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin announced the creation of a superholding based on the Tactical Missile Weapons Corporation and NPO Mashinostroyenia, which should deal with hypersonic technologies.

Later, the idea of ​​​​creating a hypersonic industrial association on such a scale was abandoned in favor of merging a machine-building plant located in Dubna with the Reutov NPOmash design bureau "Raduga", which develops and produces air-launched missiles, including cruise missiles.

In the summer of 2012, a hypersonic air-launched cruise missile was tested at the test site of the 929th Flight Research Center in Akhtubinsk. The missile was carried by a Tu-22M3 bomber.

In September 2013, the head of the Tactical Missile Weapons Corporation, Boris Obnosov, admitted that Russia had already tested products that reach speeds of about Mach 4.5.

Hypersonic missile and modernization of heavy cruisers

After 2013, information about Project 3K22 missiles again disappeared from open sources. In the fall of 2015, people started talking about the missile in connection with the modernization of the Admiral Nakhimov.

According to the agreement between PA "Sevmash"(engaged in the re-equipment of TARKR) and the corporation "Almaz-Antey", the latter should supply ten vertical launchers (UVPU) ZS-14-11442M for the modernization of a heavy nuclear-powered missile cruiser taking place at the enterprise project 11442.

Carrying eighty hypersonic Zircons, the Peter the Great will be capable of destroying in a matter of minutes not only a couple of carrier strike groups of a potential enemy, but the entire military fleet of a power such as Turkey.

According to available data, one of the carriers of the Zircon should be a fifth-generation submarine "Husky", the development of which began at the Marine Engineering Bureau "Malachite". According to the developers, the newest nuclear submarine is designed on one basic platform in two versions. Firstly, multi-purpose, aimed at combating submarines enemy. Secondly, an anti-aircraft submarine, armed with cruise missiles, including Zircons.

Only five years passed from the appearance of the first information about the new rocket and the creation of a group of chief designers to the start of testing. Probably, Zircon is based on technical solutions that are largely ready-made and proven.

“State tests of Zircon, in accordance with the contract, are planned to be completed in 2017, and mass production to begin next year,” said a representative of the defense industry.

Cruise missiles "Zircon" (3M22) are designed, first of all, to replace heavy ones in naval arsenal anti-ship missiles complexes "Granit" and should be part of the armament of promising ships in the ocean zone (missile cruisers) "Leader" type and modernized nuclear cruisers of project 1144 "Orlan".

According to the channel's sources, US intelligence reports say that Russia will be able to begin serial production of Zircons in 2021, and their deliveries to the troops will begin in 2022.

The name “Zircon” was not mentioned by Russian President Vladimir Putin in his message to the Federal Assembly on March 1, 2018, a significant part of which was devoted to the presentation of new types of weapons, including hypersonic ones. “The possession of such weapons certainly provides serious advantages in the field of armed struggle. Its power and might, as military experts say, can be enormous, and its speed makes it invulnerable to today’s missile defense and air defense systems, since anti-missiles, to put it simply, simply cannot catch up with them. Russia has such weapons. It already exists,” Putin said then, referring to the Kinzhal air-launched system.

2019-01-16T18:01:40+05:00 Sergey SinenkoDefense of the Fatherlandarmy, armed forces, missile, watch videoTechnical characteristics of the Zircon missile The American television channel CNBC reported: the tests of the Zircon hypersonic missile were successful. Citing sources familiar with US intelligence reports, CNBC reported that on December 10, 2018, Russia conducted another test of the Zircon ship-based hypersonic missile. According to the channel's interlocutors, during the test the rocket accelerated to a speed...Sergei Sinenko Sergei Sinenko [email protected] Author In the Middle of Russia

Vladimir Putin's annual address to the Federal Assembly, or rather, its second part, produced the effect of a bomb exploding on military experts and all those interested in weapons.

It turned out that promising developments, which were considered unfinished and were being discussed in Western and Russian media, according to the president, are already being tested and are about to be put into service.

And if new intercontinental missile“Sarmat” is still somewhat well-known; the names of the remaining strategic complexes were heard in public for the first time. And some don’t have them at all; Vladimir Putin suggested that Russians come up with them themselves.

It can be assumed that the president decided to “reveal his cards” in response to the US modernization of its nuclear weapons. And also the creation of low-power, but high-precision nuclear charges, which, in particular, are equipped with cruise missiles.

Russian leader It is no coincidence that he emphasized that any powerful nuclear attack on Russia or its allies will be perceived as full-fledged nuclear attack and will cause an instant response.

Putin made it clear to the United States that he would not tolerate the use of nuclear weapons of any size, including B-61-12 aerial bombs and air- and sea-launched cruise missiles. It is believed that low-yield charges lower the threshold for the use of nuclear weapons.

Vladimir Putin traditionally named the main reason for the development of new types of weapons as the US global missile defense system, which can make Russian missiles ultimately useless. As well as the unilateral withdrawal of the United States from the ABM Treaty.

Now more about weapons. Judging by the video shown in Manezh, the Sarmat missile actually passed throw tests, as has been repeatedly stated previously.

In the picture, a mock-up is launched from a silo, identical in size, weight and geometry to a real rocket. This is how the real start is worked out. The start of flight development tests is planned for this year, and adoption into service in 2019-2020. That is, very soon.

As the Supreme Commander-in-Chief said, a missile weighing 200 tons with hypersonic warheads will have an almost unlimited range of action and will be able to hit targets both through the Northern and South Pole. For clarity, the video showed how the rocket easily flies across the United States and falls in the Pacific Ocean.

Another project, Avangard, is directly related to Sarmat, which the president also spoke about. It is a gliding winged unit that flies at 20 times the speed of sound.

If we're talking about about the Yu-71 block, the plasma trace from which was seen by residents near the Kura test site in the fall of 2016, then the Sarmat missile is equipped with it. The warhead heats up to almost 2 thousand degrees and rushes towards the target “like a meteorite”, bypassing all known systems missile defense, and at the same time maneuvers. The President emphasized that mass production of such units is being prepared.

DF-ZF. Photo: wikipedia.org

By the way, Beijing is testing similar gliders - the DF-ZF project. But the video shown on Chinese television was only from a wind tunnel; whether it rose into the sky is not known for sure. Perhaps Vladimir Putin's speech will encourage the Chinese to lift the veil of secrecy.

Avangard is currently undergoing testing. But hypersonic missiles, which are recent years They are either buried or resurrected in the media; it turns out that Russia already has them and are even on duty. This is an aviation missile system"Dagger".

MiG-31. Photo: mil.ru

During the president's speech, a video was shown of a MiG-31 interceptor launching a heavy missile. It accelerates to a speed of Mach 10 and, according to the head of state, overcomes any missile defense shield. The missile's range is more than 2 thousand km, it can be equipped with both a nuclear and conventional warhead. The complex is already on experimental combat duty at airfields in the southern military district.

But the highlight of Vladimir Putin’s speech was nuclear power plant, which is equipped with the latest Russian cruise missiles with an unlimited range.

They are similar to the existing X-101, but inside they have small-sized, super-powerful nuclear installations, which increase the flight range tens of times compared to the “101”.

The cruise missile flies low, maneuvers and, as the designers intended, will successfully bypass any radars. At the end of 2017, the test site hosted successful tests new rocket. By the way, it doesn't have a name yet. President Putin invited the Russians to choose him, which has already caused a great stir in the media.

It is worth noting that under the USSR, nuclear installations were installed on military satellites, which flew successfully. However, the technology was subsequently abandoned due to the risk of an accident with radioactive contamination. Moreover, nuclear installation they even put on strategic bomber Tu-95 to increase its flight range. But later the project was closed.

Meanwhile, the president did not even think about stopping. He spoke about a mysterious weapon known in the media as "Status-6".

A lot was written about it in the foreign press and they called it the revival of the Soviet “Tsar Torpedo” T-15, which was supposed to be equipped with a thermonuclear warhead and, if necessary, wipe the United States off the face of the Earth with it.

Vladimir Putin partly confirmed the fears of Western military experts. Russia is preparing an unmanned underwater vehicle, with a nuclear power plant. It is a hundred times smaller than those found on nuclear submarines, but it accelerates the torpedo boat to enormous speeds. This is fundamental new look strategic weapons, since the torpedo goes very deep and is almost impossible to detect. Its main task will be the destruction of enemy aircraft carrier groups and naval bases, which was demonstrated on the screen in the Manege.

It is extremely difficult to assess the readiness of these weapons. As the president rightly noted, there are simply no analogues in the world. All that remains is to wait until the promising units are put into service, and then more will be known about them.