The promising new-generation S-500 Prometheus air defense system has successfully passed tests with live missile launches. This was announced by the head of the anti-aircraft missile forces of the Russian Aerospace Forces, Sergei Babakov.
"Currently, a number of tests have been conducted with combat launches of anti-aircraft guided missiles at air targets. All tests have been completed with a positive result, " he said in an interview with Krasnaya Zvezda.
Babakov clarified that the characteristics inherent in Prometheus, which make it possible to destroy, in addition to aerodynamic and ballistic targets, hypersonic weapons of all modifications, including in near space, allow us to say with confidence that there are simply no analogues of this system.
He also said that promising S-350 "Vityaz" anti-aircraft missile systems have begun to enter service with the anti-aircraft missile forces"
Recall that the Almaz-Antey concern announced the imminent completion of work on the new S-500 air defense system in early April. And in December last year, Deputy Defense Minister Alexey Krivoruchko said that in 2021 it is planned to complete the tests of the Prometheus and take it into service.
It is known that the unique long-range air defense system will become the basis of a unified national air and missile defense system in the future. With its help, our military will be able to solve strategic tasks not only in the country's airspace, but also in near space. In particular, to perform high-altitude interceptions of hypersonic missiles, drones and enemy combat aircraft. It is clear that such a powerful weapon is eagerly awaited in the troops.
And here's how our promising air defense system was evaluated by The National Interest magazine at the time. They wrote: "This new-generation weapon is designed to complement the already powerful S-400 system available in Moscow, as well as replace the A-135 anti-missile system." The publication pointed out that the S-500 "has not only unprecedented capabilities to defeat high-altitude targets at an exceptionally long range," but can also fight with aircraft created using stealth technology. By the way, according to the American magazine, during the tests, the Prometheus rocket flew even further than previously reported - it hit the target at a range of 553 kilometers.
Yuri Gavrilov
