Russia To Upgrade Oniks Supersonic Missiles to Achieve Hypersonic Speeds

Russia is planning to upgrade Oniks supersonic cruise missiles currently in use with the Russian armed forces to increase its range and enable them to fly at hypersonic speeds.

“We are working to increase the range of the Oniks missiles and also enable them to fly at hypersonic speeds,” Alexander Leonov, CEO and Chief Designer of Research and Production Association of Machine-Building (part of Tactical Missiles Corporation) told TASS on Tuesday.

“Work is also underway to make the missile universal, from the viewpoint of its targets and the launch platform that is used," he added.

The company has developed the Oniks supersonic anti-ship missile which is launched from standardized launching platforms, just like the Kalibr. It can be fired from Project 22350 frigates and Project 885 Yasen-class submarines. The missile’s maximum speed exceeds the speed of the sound by more than 2.5 times during its flight and its operating range is 600 km.

The Research and Production Association of Machine-Building is also the main contractor for developing Russia’s Tsirkon hypersonic missile.