Zircon speed in km/hour. In the hypersonic race, the Russian Zircon is taking the lead. Problems encountered during development

TASS, citing a source in the military-industrial complex, during testing the missile was able to develop a marching speed of eight Mach numbers (9.9 thousand kilometers per hour). This is two Mach numbers more than previously stated.

Collage by Andrey Sedykh

Presumably the Zircon is a two-stage rocket that uses a solid-fuel rocket motor to gain speed. After turning off the solid fuel installation, the ramjet engine is turned on. According to unconfirmed reports, the missile's flight range is from 400 to a thousand kilometers.

Hypersonic Zircon missiles are planned to be included in the armament of fifth-generation nuclear submarines of the Husky project, which are being developed by the St. Petersburg Maritime Engineering Bureau Malachite. Such missiles will also be included in the range of weapons of the heavy nuclear-powered missile cruisers Pyotr Velikiy and Admiral Nakhimov of Project 1144 Orlan.

In April last year it was reported that state tests of the new missile are planned to be completed in 2017. Serial production of Zircon should begin next year.

Vasily Sychev

The United States lost the ocean theater of war to Russia

The appearance of a serial hypersonic missile means a revolution in naval art: the relative parity in the offensive-defense system will change, the potential of attack weapons will radically exceed the capabilities of defense.

News of the successful testing of the latest Russian hypersonic missile has seriously worried the US military leadership. There, judging by media reports, they decided to develop countermeasures as quickly as possible. We did not pay due attention to this event. Meanwhile, the introduction of this missile into service will be a revolution in military shipbuilding, will significantly change the balance of forces in sea and ocean theaters, and will immediately render models that are still considered quite modern into obsolete.

NPO Mashinostroyenia has been conducting a unique development since at least 2011 (“Zircon”, five Machs from the target). In open sources, the scientific and production cooperation of enterprises and research institutions involved in its creation is presented quite fully for such a promising and, accordingly, closed project. But the performance characteristics of the missile are shown very sparingly. Essentially only two are known: the speed, which is estimated with good accuracy at Mach 5-6 (the speed of sound in the surface layer of the atmosphere) and a very approximate probable range of 800-1000 kilometers. True, some other important data is also available, based on which it is possible to approximately estimate the remaining characteristics.

On warships, the Zircon will be used from the 3S-14 universal vertical launch launcher, unified for Caliber and Onyx. The rocket must be two-stage. The starting stage is a solid propellant engine. Only a ramjet engine (ramjet engine) can be used as a propulsion engine. The main carriers of the Zircons are considered to be heavy nuclear-powered missile cruisers (TARKR) of projects 11442 and 11442M, as well as the promising nuclear submarine with cruise missiles (SSGN) of the 5th generation "Husky". According to unconfirmed reports, the creation of an export version, BrahMos-II, is being considered, the model of which was presented at the DefExpo 2014 exhibition in February 2014.

At the beginning of this year, the first successful flight tests of a ground-launched missile took place. It is expected that they will be put into service with the start of delivery to ships of the Russian Navy before the end of the decade.

What can be learned from this data? Based on the assumption of placement in a unified launcher for “Caliber” and “Onyx”, we draw a conclusion about the dimensions and, in particular, that the energy of the Zircon seeker cannot significantly exceed the similar indicators of the two mentioned missiles, that is, it is 50-80 kilometers depending on the effective dispersion area (RCS) of the target. The combat unit is operational tactical missile, designed to destroy large surface ships, cannot be small. Taking into account open data on the weight of the Onyx and Caliber warheads, it can be estimated at 250-300 kilograms.

The flight path of a hypersonic missile with a probable range of 800-1000 kilometers can only be high-altitude on the main part of the route. Presumably 30,000 meters, or even higher. This achieves greater range hypersonic flight and the effectiveness of the most modern air defense systems is significantly reduced. At the final stage, the missile will likely perform anti-aircraft maneuvering, in particular with a descent to extremely low altitudes.

The missile's control system and its seeker will likely contain algorithms that will allow it to autonomously identify the location of the main target in the enemy's order. The shape of the rocket (judging by the model) is made taking into account stealth technologies. This means that its ESR can be on the order of 0.001 square meter. The detection range of the Zircon by the most powerful radars of foreign surface ships and RLD aircraft is 90-120 kilometers in free space.

Obsolete "Standard"

These data are sufficient to assess the capabilities of the most modern and powerful system Air defense of American Ticonderoga-class cruisers and Orly Burke-class guided missile destroyers based on the Aegis BIUS with the most modern Standard-6 missile defense systems. This missile (full name RIM-174 SM-6 ERAM) was adopted by the US Navy in 2013. The main difference from previous versions of the “Standard” is the use of an active radar seeker, which allows you to effectively hit targets - “fire and forget” - without being accompanied by the firing radar of the carrier ship. This significantly increases the effectiveness of its use against low-flying targets, in particular beyond the horizon, and allows it to work according to external target designation data, for example, from an AWACS aircraft. With a starting weight of 1500 kilograms, “Standard-6” hits 240 kilometers, maximum height hitting air targets - 33 kilometers. The rocket's flight speed is 3.5 M, approximately 1000 meters per second. The maximum overload during maneuvering is about 50 units. The warhead is kinetic (for ballistic purposes) or fragmentation (for aerodynamic) weighing 125 kilograms - twice as much as in previous series of missiles. The maximum speed of aerodynamic targets is estimated at 800 meters per second. The probability of hitting such a target with one missile in field conditions is determined to be 0.95.

A comparison of the performance characteristics of the Zircon and Standard-6 shows that our missile falls within the range of the American missile defense system in height and is almost twice as high as permissible for it maximum speed aerodynamic targets - 1500 versus 800 meters per second. Conclusion: the American “Standard-6” cannot hit our “swallow”. However, this does not mean that hypersonic Zircons will not be fired upon. The Aegis system is capable of detecting such a high-speed target and issuing target designation for firing - it provides the ability to solve missile defense problems and even fight satellites, the speed of which is much higher than that of the Zircon anti-ship missile system. Therefore, shooting will continue. It remains to assess the likelihood of our missile being hit by an American missile defense system.

It should be noted that the kill probabilities given in the technical characteristics of missile defense systems are usually given for field conditions. That is, when the target does not maneuver and moves at a speed optimal for hitting it. In real combat, the probability of defeat is, as a rule, significantly lower. This is due to the peculiarities of the missile guidance process, which determine the specified restrictions on the permissible speed of a maneuvering target and the height of its destruction. We will not go into these details. It is important to note that the probability of hitting a maneuvering aerodynamic target with the Standard-6 missile system will be influenced by the detection range of the active seeker and the accuracy of the missile reaching the target capture point, the permissible overload of the missile during maneuvering and the density of the atmosphere, as well as errors in the location and elements of the target’s movement according to target designation radar and information control system.

All these factors determine the main thing - whether the missile defense system will be able to “select”, taking into account the maneuvering of the target, the magnitude of the miss to the level at which combat unit capable of hitting her.

There is no open data on the range of the active seeker of the Standard-6 missile defense system. However, based on the weight and size characteristics of the missile, it can be assumed that it will be able to see a fighter with an EPR of about five square meters within a range of 15-20 kilometers. Accordingly, for a target with an EPR of 0.001 square meters - the Zircon missile - the range of the Standard-6 seeker does not exceed two to three kilometers. When repelling attacking anti-ship missiles, shooting will naturally be carried out on a collision course. That is, the missiles’ approach speed will be about 2300-2500 meters per second. The missile defense system has less than one second to complete the approach maneuver from the moment the target is detected. The possibilities of reducing the size of the miss are negligible. Especially if we're talking about about interception at maximum altitudes - about 30 kilometers, where the rarefied atmosphere significantly reduces the maneuverability of missile defense systems. In fact, in order to successfully destroy a target such as the Zircon, the Standard-6 missile system must be launched at it with an error not exceeding the destruction zone of its warhead - 8-10 meters.

Sinking aircraft carriers

Calculations made taking into account these factors show that the probability of a Zircon missile being hit by one Standard-6 missile defense system is unlikely to exceed 0.02-0.03 under the most favorable conditions and target designation directly from the missile launch vehicle. When firing according to external target designation data, for example, an AWACS aircraft or another ship, taking into account errors in determining the relative location, as well as the delay time for information exchange, the error in the output of the missile defense system to the target will be greater, and the probability of hitting it will be less, and quite significantly - up to 0.005 -0.012. In general, it can be stated that “Standard-6” has the most effective missile defense Western world, the meager possibilities of defeating the Zircon.

Collage by Andrey Sedykh

Someone may object to me: the Americans, from a Ticonderoga-class cruiser, hit a satellite flying at a speed of 27,000 kilometers per hour at an altitude of about 240 kilometers. But he did not maneuver and his position was determined with exceptionally high accuracy after long-term observation, which made it possible to launch the missile defense missile to the target without a miss. When repelling a Zircon attack, the defending side will not have such capabilities, and the anti-ship missiles will begin to maneuver.

Let's evaluate the possibility of destroying our anti-ship missiles with air defense systems of a Ticonderoga-class cruiser or an Orly Burke-class guided missile destroyer. First of all, it should be noted that the detection range of the Zircon radar for monitoring the airspace of these ships can be estimated at 90-120 kilometers. That is, the time it takes for the RCC to approach the mission execution line from the moment it appears on the enemy radar will not exceed 1.5 minutes. The closed air defense system of the Aegis system has about 30-35 seconds for everything. From two Mk41 air defense missile launchers, it is realistic to launch no more than four missiles capable of potentially, taking into account the remaining time, approaching the attacking target and hitting it - the probability of hitting the Zircon with the main air defense system of a cruiser or destroyer URO will be no more than 0.08-0.12. The capabilities of the ZAK self-defense ship - "Vulcan-Phalanx" in this case are negligible.

Accordingly, two such ships, even with full use of their air defense systems against one Zircon anti-ship missile, give a probability of its destruction of 0.16-0.23. That is, a KUG consisting of two URO cruisers or destroyers has little chance of destroying even a single Zircon missile.

Electronic warfare means remain. These are active distracting and passive interference. To set them, the time from the moment of detection of anti-ship missiles or the operation of their seeker is sufficient. The complex use of interference can disrupt the missile's aiming at a target with a decent probability, which, taking into account the operating time of the ship's electronic warfare system, can be estimated at 0.3-0.5.

However, when firing at a group target, there is a high probability that the anti-ship missile seeker will capture another target in the order. Just as in the fighting in the Falklands, an English aircraft carrier was able, by placing passive interference, to divert the Exocet anti-ship missile coming at it. Its seeker, having lost this target, captured the container ship Atlantic Conveyors, which sank after being hit by a missile. At the speed of the Zircon, another warrant ship that will capture the anti-ship missile seeker will simply not have enough time to effective application electronic warfare means.

From these estimates it follows that a salvo of even two Zircon missiles at a KUG consisting of two Ticonderoga-class cruisers or Orly Burke-class guided missile destroyers with a probability of 0.7-0.8 will lead to the incapacitation or sinking of at least one from KUG ships. A four-missile salvo is almost guaranteed to destroy both ships. Since the Zircon’s firing range is almost twice that of the Tomahawk anti-ship missile system (about 500 km), the American KUG has no chance of winning a battle with our cruiser equipped with the Zircon anti-ship missile system. Even with the superiority of the Americans in reconnaissance and surveillance systems.

The situation is little better for the American fleet when the RF KUG, led by a cruiser equipped with the Zircon anti-ship missile, is opposed by an aircraft carrier strike group (AUG). The combat radius of deck attack aircraft when operating in groups of 30-40 vehicles does not exceed 600-800 kilometers. This means that it will be very problematic for the AUG to launch a preemptive strike on our naval formation with large forces capable of penetrating air defense. Strikes by small groups of carrier-based aircraft - pairs and units capable of operating at a distance of up to 2000 kilometers with refueling in the air - against our KUG with modern multi-channel air defense systems will be ineffective.

The release of our KUG for a salvo and the launch of 15-16 Zircon anti-ship missiles for the AUG will be fatal. The probability of the aircraft carrier being disabled or sunk will be 0.8-0.85 with the destruction of two or three escort ships. That is, the AUG with such a salvo will be guaranteed to be destroyed. According to open data, after modernization, Project 1144 cruisers should be equipped with a 3S-14 UVP with 80 cells. With such ammunition for the Zircon anti-ship missile, our cruiser can destroy up to three US AUGs.

However, no one will prevent in the future from placing the Zircon anti-ship missiles on both frigates and small ones rocket ships, which, as is known, have 16 and 8 cells respectively for the Caliber and Onyx missile launchers. This will increase them dramatically combat capabilities, will make it a serious adversary even for aircraft carrier groups.

Let us note that in the United States, hypersonic hypersonic missiles are also being intensively developed. But the Americans focused their main efforts on creating hypersonic missiles strategic purpose. There is no data yet on the development of anti-ship hypersonic missiles like Zircon in the United States, at least in open access. Therefore, we can assume that the Russian Federation’s superiority in this area will last for quite a long time - up to 10 years or more. The question is, how do we use it? Will we be able to saturate the fleet with a sufficient number of these anti-ship missiles in a short time? Given the pitiful state of the economy and the sequestration of state defense orders, it’s unlikely.

The emergence of a serial hypersonic missile will require the development of new methods and forms of warfare at sea, in particular to destroy surface forces the enemy and ensuring the combat stability of our own. To adequately increase the potential of ship air defense systems, it is likely necessary to revise the conceptual basis for constructing such systems. This will take time - at least 10-15 years.

Almost unnoticed was a media report on March 17 about the start of testing of the Russian Zircon hypersonic cruise missile. However, the military expert community managed to evaluate it. Essentially, this means that the Russian military-industrial complex has reached the finish line in creating a superweapon that potential enemies will have nothing to oppose in the near future.

Hypersonic missile "Zircon". Characteristics

According to some experts, the Zircon is essentially the same Russian-Indian supersonic BrahMos missile, only in a hypersonic version. If we continue to continue her “pedigree”, then new rocket“Zircon” will turn out to be the “granddaughter” of the P-800 “Onyx”, on the basis of which the “BrahMos” was created.

By the way, in February last year, representatives of the Brahmos Aerospace company announced their readiness to create a hypersonic engine for a joint brainchild in the next 3-4 years.

First test results

The fact that Russia will soon have a new formidable weapon became clear after successful tests last year. Tests should be completed this year, and a year later Zircon is expected to go into mass production.

Problems encountered during development

To accelerate the rocket, it was decided to use a ramjet rocket engine with supersonic combustion using fuel with increased energy intensity - “Decilin-M”. To solve the whole range of problems, the best Russian specialists in the field of aerodynamics, engine building, materials science and electronics were involved in the development of the product.

Prospects

Equipment Russian Army Zircon missiles can seriously affect the balance of forces. Firstly, they will become even more vulnerable US drums. Secondly, the unique high-speed and maneuverable characteristics of the domestic hypersonic missile will reduce the effectiveness of the American missile defense system to almost zero.

Hypersonic projects of the USA and other countries

As part of the doctrine, tests of the AHW missile are already underway, and next in line is the HTV-2 project to create a missile capable of reaching a speed of Mach 20 with a destruction range of 7,700 km. Last March, Lockheed Martin began developing the SR-72 hypersonic drone.

The hypersonic trend is the focus of China's military-industrial complex. So a year ago hypersonic aircraft were tested aircrafts DF-ZF and Yu-71. India is developing the Shaurya tactical surface-to-surface missile, which can reach speeds of Mach 7. France is not far behind with its hypersonic air-to-ground cruise missile project ASN4G with nuclear warhead and speed 8 Mach.