The Russian anti-aircraft missile system of the new generation S-500 can become a serious competitor to the advanced stealth platforms of NATO, the National Interest portal reports.
The article points out that the missile system is one of Russia's most powerful responses to modern American stealth fighters, such as the F-35 Lightning II and F-22 Raptor. The author of the material, Mark Episkopos, noted that the Russian system has a number of advantages over its predecessor, the S-400, and is supplemented with many features that elevate it to a separate performance class.
Thus, the complex is equipped with advanced missiles of the 77N6 series. In addition, the S-500 can intercept hypersonic cruise missiles and other products flying at a speed of more than Mach 5. The system is also capable of hitting ballistic missiles within a radius of 600 km and up to 10 missile warheads moving at a speed of more than 4 miles per second. In addition, the S-500 is effective against certain types of low-orbit satellites, the manufacturers emphasize.
"The S-500 is a blow to American prestige. Our system neutralizes American offensive weapons and surpasses their widely advertised air and missile defense systems, " the author of the article quotes the words of Pavel Sozinov, general designer of the Almaz-Antey developer concern.
According to Episkopos, the complex was not just a replacement for the S-400,but a full-fledged additional element in the composition of the Russian air defense. The system is suitable for working with earlier models of missile defense systems, such as the S-400 and S-300. At the same time, the S-500 can be used in conjunction with various short-and medium-range anti-aircraft missile systems, the author of the material concluded.
Earlier, on May 25, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the completion of tests of the latest S-500 Prometheus anti-aircraft missile system (SAM), which is being prepared to be adopted by the Russian Armed Forces.
As Deputy Defense Minister Alexey Krivoruchko noted in March, the Russian Armed Forces plan to receive the first S-500 systems in 2021, and serial delivery will begin in 2025.
In April, the Russian Defense Ministry began preparing calculations for the S-500 Prometheus. Representatives of the ministry also stated that the system will not replace the existing air defense and missile defense systems, but will complement them. Mobile "pyatisotye" will take an intermediate position between the S-400 "Triumph" and stationary A-135, providing defense of the Moscow region from the attacks of intercontinental ballistic missiles.
