Cruise Missile
3M22 Zircon
3M22 Zircon is a hypersonic anti-ship and land-attack cruise missile made by NPO Mashinostroyeniya in Russia, declared in service in January 2023. Russia claims a range of up to about 1,000 km and a speed of Mach 8–9, figures that have not been independently verified.
Russia|NPO MashinostroyeniyaWhat Is the 3M22 Zircon? Overview, History and Development
Zircon (NATO name SS-N-33) was developed by NPO Mashinostroyeniya in Reutov and tested from 2015 to 2022. A solid-fuel booster accelerates the missile before a scramjet second stage takes over, and it reportedly flies at about 28–40 km altitude on a lifted trajectory. Russia states a speed of Mach 8–9 and a range of up to about 1,000 km, while Western estimates put the range at 500–1,000 km. The warhead is about 300–400 kg.
Russia declared Zircon in service in January 2023 with the frigate Admiral Gorshkov. It fires from the 3S14 UKSK vertical launcher shared with Kalibr and Oniks, and has been tested from Yasen-M submarines and the cruiser Admiral Nakhimov. Russia claimed Zircon strikes on Kyiv in 2024, and Ukrainian officials confirmed that the missiles were used, though interception success is disputed. Russia is the only operator, and no official price exists. Rivals include the Chinese YJ-21 and DF-ZF glider.
3M22 Zircon Specifications: Range, Speed, Warhead and Guidance
3M22 Zircon Variants and Versions Compared
3M22 Zircon is the ship-launched anti-ship and land-attack version fired from the 3S14 UKSK vertical launcher.
3M22 (Tsirkon) is the Russian-spelling designation for the same missile as used in Russian Navy service and official statements.
Zircon (ground-based) is a coastal-defence version reported on land launchers, with details largely unpublished.
Which Countries Use the 3M22 Zircon? Operators and Users
Russia3M22 Zircon FAQ: Price, Range, Operators and Most Asked Questions
How fast is the Zircon missile?
The 3M22 Zircon is stated by Russia to fly at Mach 8–9, which is roughly 9,800–11,000 km/h. This speed is a Russian claim and has not been independently verified, though the missile is widely accepted as hypersonic.
What is the range of the Zircon missile?
The 3M22 Zircon has a Russian-stated range of up to about 1,000 km. Western estimates suggest 500–1,000 km, and none of these figures has been independently verified.
How much does a Zircon missile cost?
The 3M22 Zircon has no officially published price, and estimates are unreliable. Russia has not disclosed unit costs, so any figure quoted in media reports should be treated with caution.
Has Russia used the Zircon missile in Ukraine?
Russia claimed 3M22 Zircon strikes on targets in Kyiv in 2024, and Ukrainian officials confirmed that the missiles were used against the city. How many were intercepted is disputed between the two sides.
Which ships carry the Zircon missile?
The 3M22 Zircon is carried by the Admiral Gorshkov-class frigates, and it has been tested from Yasen-M submarines and the cruiser Admiral Nakhimov. It launches from the 3S14 UKSK vertical launcher.
Zircon vs YJ-21: which is better?
The 3M22 Zircon is a scramjet-powered cruise missile at Mach 8–9, while the Chinese YJ-21 is a ballistic-boosted hypersonic missile. Both claims are largely unverified, so no reliable public comparison of performance exists.
