MOSCOW, November 15. /TASS/. The Molniya Research and Production Association (part of the Kalashnikov Group) is developing a new hypersonic target missile dubbed Gvozdika (Carnation) designed for testing advanced air defense systems, Molniya CEO Olga Sokolova said in an interview with Kalashnikov Media on Thursday.
"Now we are working on a new target missile Gvozdika, which we are developing on order from the Defense Ministry. We immersed ourselves deeply in this area when we worked on the Strizh and the Armavir [target missiles]," Sokolova said.
According to the chief executive, an idea emerged to develop a new project that would meet modern realities.
"A target missile is actually a simulated enemy missile and an enemy does not sit idle and continues constantly developing," Sokolova said.
The Molniya chief executive disclosed some characteristics of the new practice target.
"This is a hypersonic missile that will fly at an altitude of 10,000 meters with an option of its maneuvering," Sokolova said.
As the Molniya chief executive said, the new target missile will be able to fly at a low altitude, following the terrain.
"This is quite a universal vehicle that will simulate the latest achievements of our potential adversaries," Sokolova said.
The Molniya Research and Production Association expects to start the production of the new target missile in 2021, the chief executive said.