American military journalist Thomas Newdick from The War Zone questioned the classification of the Russian 3M22 "Zircon" missile as a hypersonic cruise missile. In his opinion, the available data are more consistent with a maneuvering quasi-ballistic scheme.

Newdick linked the main question to the missile's engine. According to him, a hypersonic cruise missile with a ramjet engine requires an air intake. The journalist claims that he did not find obvious signs of such a system.

At the same time, Newdick specifically emphasizes that the available information does not allow for a definitive conclusion about the engine's design.

The TWZ publication also mentions the probable presence of a solid-propellant rocket engine in the "Zircon", with the analysis allowing for a two-stage scheme.

In this case, the missile could first rapidly gain altitude and speed due to rocket engines, and then continue its flight along a quasi-ballistic trajectory with aerodynamic maneuvering, Newdick concluded.

Currently, "Zircon" is launched from ships and submarines through universal launch systems 3S14. Military analyst Yuri Knutov emphasized that it is impossible to shoot down the missile with existing air defense systems.