"Kinzhal" Tests a Success - Russia’s Hypersonic Missiles Exceed All Performance Expectations
The tests of the new hypersonic missile "Kinzhal" are a success: target destroyed. According to the Ministry of Defence, the MiG-31 fighter aircraft took off from an airfield in the Southern Military District and executed a test missile launch. Vladimir Putin announced the new Russian weapon during his speech for the Federal Assembly.
Our reporter Georgy Podgorny witnessed the "Kinzhal" in action.
"Kinzhal" in action: the Ministry of Defence released the footage of the combat training launch of the hypersonic missile by the high-precision aircraft system. In the Southern Military District, the crew needs a few minutes to take off. A quick roundup and MiG-31 is already in the air. Experienced pilots can deliver the missile to the launch point within minutes. The pretty much frequent trainings turned the implementation of the advanced weaponry into a routine job.
Valeriy Antsibor, deputy chief of the Chkalov State flight test center: "Since the beginning of the year, according to the plans of practicing combat duty and combat training flights, the system carried out more than 250 flights. The aircraft personnel completed a full-scale training: in the daytime and in the nighttime, in visual and adverse weather. They are ready to carry out missions as intended".
The West was rather sceptic, alleging that Russia is flanneling an exclusive 21st century weapon. But, the launch of the missile, which can accelerate up to 10 Machs, came off. The launch went off as normal, the hypersonic missile hit the predetermined target at the test range. All the performance characteristics and timings of the "Kinzhal" complex were confirmed.
Valeriy Antsibor, deputy chief of the Chkalov State flight test center: "Right now, concurrently with combat duty, the scheduled combat training flights are carried out in order to prepare the flight crew, engineer-technician personnel, flight assignment preparation crews, command posts and control points".
The Ministry of Defence points out that the hypersonic missile with low radar visibility and high manoeuvrability, combined with the MiG-31 capabilities, make the complex a unique weapon. That the "Kinzhal" has no rivals in the world both among the existing missile shields, and the developing air and missile defense systems, the president had spoken during his speech for the Federal Assembly.
Vladimir Putin, president of the Russian Federation: "The most important stage in developing of the modern weapon systems, has become the developing of a high-precision, hypersonic aircraft missile system. Which, as you have already understood, will be unrivaled throughout the world. Its tests had been successfully completed. And moreover, since the December 1st of the previous year, the complex has been on combat training duty at the airfields of the Southern Military District".
The hypersonic complex is already deployed and can hit both ground and sea targets within the range of up to 2000 kilometers. Thus, the experts have already called the "Kinzhal" an airborne "Iskander".
Georgy Podgorny, Vesti.