A source told Russian state media recently that state trials of the surface version of the Tsirkon have been completed and said the Navy would commission it within the next five months. The Navy's Admiral Gorshkov frigate will be the first to carry this hypersonic missile. "The service area of the ship, which is equipped with Tsirkon hypersonic cruise missiles, will be selected based on the interests of ensuring Russia's security," Putin said.
On 28 May, a Tsirkon hypersonic missile was tested at its maximum range from the frigate Admiral Gorshkov. The missile was launched from the Barents Sea at a naval target in the White Sea about 1,000 km away. The Tsirkon can reportedly reach speeds of up to Mach 9 and hit targets at a range of up to 660 miles.
