The new S-550 anti-aircraft missile system (SAM) based on the S-500 Prometheus air defense system will provide anti-missile and anti-space defense of strategic objects of Russia together with its predecessor. This is reported by TASS with reference to a source close to the Russian military department.
According to the agency, the S-550 will not replace the S-500, as it is a lighter version of the latter. It will face other combat tasks, somewhat different from those performed by Prometheus. "Forceful methods of influencing threatening objects will also differ," the source added.
According to the agency interlocutor, the S-500 and S-550 systems will become a platform for a new air defense system and together will cover the country's strategic facilities from hypersonic targets. "Together with the S-350 Vityaz system and short-range complexes, they will work out absolutely all the goals available today," the source explained.
Earlier, RIA Novosti sources in the Ministry of Defense revealed the main purpose of the S-550. According to them, the system will specialize in the destruction of ballistic and orbital space objects, including nuclear warheads of intercontinental missiles.
Marina Sovina
