He was a key figure in the Russian rocket and space industry, responsible for the development of various missile systems, including the hypersonic missile "Zircon."
Aleksandr Leonov was awarded the title of Hero of Labor of Russia for his achievements.
"Zircon" is a Russian hypersonic cruise missile designed for naval use, intended to strike both surface and ground targets. This missile is part of the 3K22 complex, which was adopted into service in January 2023.
The missile can be launched from both ships and submarines, and there is also discussion about the possibility of using it with coastal launch systems.
In 2024, Vladimir Putin, the President of Russia, announced that the "Zircon" missile had been used to strike targets in Ukraine in response to Western missile strikes on Russian territory.
