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'UNSTOPPABLE MISSILE'

Russia develops hypersonic 4,600mph missiles which can destroy Royal Navy’s top warships in single strike

HYPERSONIC cruise missiles developed by Russia could destroy the Royal Navy's new aircraft carriers in a single strike, experts fear.

Deadly Zircon missiles can travel up to SIX times the speed of sound at 4,600 mph and reportedly more than 600 miles.

 The lethal Zircon missiles are described as hypersonic, because they can travel five times the speed of sound
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The lethal Zircon missiles are described as hypersonic, because they can travel five times the speed of soundCredit: Alamy
 The Royal Navy's aircraft carriers would be sitting ducks for the Zircon missiles according to military experts
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The Royal Navy's aircraft carriers would be sitting ducks for the Zircon missiles according to military expertsCredit: AFP
 Russia, led by President Putin, has stolen a march on USA and China by developing a hypersonic missile
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Russia, led by President Putin, has stolen a march on USA and China by developing a hypersonic missileCredit: Getty Images
 A guided-missile cruiser USS Philippine Sea (CG 58) launches a Tomahawk cruise missile
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A guided-missile cruiser USS Philippine Sea (CG 58) launches a Tomahawk cruise missileCredit: Getty Images

Military experts warn the weapon has changed the face of modern warfare, reported the .

Currently, the Royal Navy's Sea Ceptor can shoot down missiles travelling at 2,300 mph, which is nowhere near Zircon's capabilities.

One senior Naval source told the Sunday People: “Hypersonic missiles are virtually unstoppable.

"With no method of protecting themselves against missiles like the Zircon the (UK) carrier would have to stay out of range, hundreds of miles out at sea."

Pete Sandeman, a naval expert, said: “Even if the missile is broken up or detonated by close-in weapons, the debris has so much kinetic energy that the ship may still be badly damaged.”

 Russia's new Zircon missiles have already been tested and could be fitted to a battle cruiser Admiral Nakhuimov when it returns to operations in 2018
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Russia's new Zircon missiles have already been tested and could be fitted to a battle cruiser Admiral Nakhuimov when it returns to operations in 2018Credit: Getty Images
 The HMS Queen Elizabeth, which along with the Prince of Wales, is one of the Royal Navy's premier new aircraft carriers
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The HMS Queen Elizabeth, which along with the Prince of Wales, is one of the Royal Navy's premier new aircraft carriersCredit: Getty Images

The Royal Navy’s new £6.2bn aircraft carriers - HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales - already face delays and soaring costs according to a bombshell report published recently.

Zircon missiles can cover 155 miles in just 2.5 minutes, which is faster than a bullet from sniper's rifle.

The "enemy will not have enough time to get scared let alone react", according to military website .

Nuclear-powered Admiral Nakhuimov battle cruiser could be the first Russian ship equipped with the lightning fast weapon when it returns to service next year.

The rocket-mounted weapons come equipped with a radar target seeker and the ability to avoid enemy missiles, and they can be launched from land, sea carrier or submarines and fitted with a range of warheads from explosive to nuclear.

Harry J Kazianis, executive editor of US foreign policy magazine The National Interest, wrote such missiles could turn "America's super-carriers into multi-billion dollar graveyards for thousands of sailors".

Kremlin chiefs announced in October the development of the Satan II nuclear rockets - each capable of wiping out an area the size of Texas or France.

Last month it emerged Russia had secretly deployed a cruise missile in violation of a historic arms control treaty with the US.



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