Putin sends frigate Admiral Gorshkov armed with Tsirkon hypersonic missile in Atlantic.

According to information published by Tass on January 4, 2023, Russian frigate Admiral Gorshkov armed with Tsirkon hypersonic missiles will go on a trip across the Atlantic and Indian oceans, as well as the Mediterranean Sea, Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu announced during the ceremony of the frigate entering combat service, which was held via video conference. The event was attended by Russian President Vladimir Putin.
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Russian Project 22350 frigate Admiral Gorshkov. (Picture source: mtdata)

The minister noted that the frigate is armed with guided missiles and is designed to solve problems in the far sea and ocean zones.

In turn, the Russian president stressed that the frigate is an example of "a great joint work, which brought good, expected results." He noted that the frigate will protect the country from potential external threats.

The ship has been loaded with ammunition for missiles of the Zirkon, Caliber complexes, air defense systems, torpedo weapons, and artillery. The ship's crew is ready to perform combat service tasks," Krokhmal said, according to Rossiya 24 TV channel.

On December 21, Putin said that the frigate armed with Tsirkon hypersonic missiles would enter service in January 2023. On December 28, the Northern Fleet’s press service said frigate Admiral of the Fleet of the Soviet Union Gorshkov, under the command of Captain 1st Rank Igor Krokhmal, had completed preparations for a long-distance voyage.

The Russian Northern Fleet currently operates two warships of Project 22350: Admiral Gorshkov and Admiral Kasatonov. Frigates of this Project carry the Kalibr-NK cruise missile system as their basic strike weapon.

These warships displace 4,500 tons and can accelerate to 29 knots. They are armed with Oniks and Kalibr missiles and Poliment-Redut air defense missile systems.

Project 22350 frigates are expected to become the Russian Navy’s most advanced warships in their class. These frigates are multi-purpose combat ships capable of effectively fighting enemy surface ships, aircraft, and submarines and delivering strikes against ground and coastal installations from a range of over 1,500 km.

The 3M22 Zircon also spelled as 3M22 Tsirkon is a scramjet-powered maneuvering anti-ship hypersonic cruise missile produced by Russia, for the Russian Navy which has launch platforms on frigates and submarines.

Tsirkon hypersonic missile

Tsirkon is believed to be a maneuvering, winged hypersonic cruise missile with a lift-generating center body. A booster stage with solid-fuel engines accelerates it to supersonic speeds, after which a scramjet motor with liquid-fuel (JP-10 jet fuel) in the second stage accelerates it to hypersonic speeds.

The missile's range is estimated to be 135 to 270 nautical miles (155 to 311 mi; 250 to 500 km) at low level, and up to 400 nmi (460 mi; 740 km) in a semi-ballistic trajectory; average range is around 400–450 km (250–280 mi; 220–240 nmi).

According to Russian media (2017), the longest possible range is 540 nmi (620 mi; 1,000 km) and for this purpose a new fuel was created. Some internet sources even claim the range of missile can reach 1,000 - 2,000 km, depending on the type of target.