Russia reports successful test launch of hypersonic missile
Politics
Russia reports successful test launch of hypersonic missile
In this photo taken from video distributed by Russian Defense Ministry Press Service, a new Zircon hypersonic cruise missile is launched by the frigate Admiral Gorshkov of the Russian navy from the White Sea, in the north of Russia, Russia, Monday, July 19, 2021. The Russian military has reported another successful test launch of a new Zircon hypersonic cruise missile. Russias Defense Ministry said the launch took place on Monday from an Admiral Groshkov frigate located in the White Sea, in the north of Russia. The ministry said the missile successfully hit a target more than 350 kilometers (217 miles) away on the coast of the Barents Sea. (Russian Defense Ministry Press Service via AP) (Uncredited/Russian Defense Ministry Press Service)
By Associated Press
July 19, 2021|Updated today at 11:15 a.m. EDT
MOSCOW The Russian military reported another successful test launch of a new hypersonic cruise missile on Monday.
Russias Defense Ministry said the Zircon missile was launched from the Admiral Groshkov frigate in the White Sea.
The ministry said the missile flew at a speed seven times the speed of sound and successfully hit a designated practice target more than 350 kilometers (217 miles) away on the coast of the Barents Sea.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has said Zircon would be capable of flying at nine times the speed of sound and have a range of 1,000 kilometers (620 miles). Putin has emphasized that its deployment will significantly boost Russian military capability.
The Russian navy has conducted several previous test launches of the new missile, including one on Putins birthday in October, and officials said the tests are to be completed later this year.
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