The S-500 air defense system will be able to deprive inconspicuous fighters of communication and navigation
The Russian S-500 Prometheus anti-aircraft missile system (SAMS) is designed to combat spacecraft and ballistic missiles. The air defense system can reduce the effectiveness of the use of stealth fighters, hitting navigation satellites and tanker aircraft. The American edition of Military Watch described the opposition of the S-500 to inconspicuous fighters.
The publication notes that the S-500 can hit fighters, but first of all the system was developed to counter space planes, bombers and ballistic missiles. Therefore, the C-400, C-350 and Buk-M2 systems provide protection against stealth aircraft F-22 and F-35. The S-500 air defense system will be able to increase the effectiveness of the fight against fighters by transmitting target data to other air defense systems. The anti-interference radar station S-500 will allow the S-400 to accompany a larger number of inconspicuous targets, writes Military Watch.
Prometheus will also be able to hit tanker planes that support the operations of inconspicuous fighters. The publication notes that the range of the F-22 and F-35 fighters is lower than that of the previous generation aircraft. Therefore, inconspicuous fighters depend on refueling in the air. "Since such tankers are vulnerable to S-500 attacks at a distance of up to 600 kilometers, this could change the rules of the game," says Military Watch. The ability of the S-500 to shoot down spacecraft may also reduce the effectiveness of the F-22 and F-35. Aircraft use satellites for reconnaissance, navigation, and communications.
In January, the commander of the 4th Army of the Air Force and Air Defense of the Southern Military District, Lieutenant General Nikolai Gostev, announced that the district's troops would receive S-500 systems by 2025.