The production of the system, named Prometheus, has been established at the enterprises of the Almaz-Antey Aerospace Defense Concern.
The CEO of the concern, Jan Novikov, in his interview with the National Defense magazine, stated: "Currently, serial production of the S-500 system has been organized using the latest achievements of domestic science and technology. The combat capabilities of this system significantly exceed the capabilities of previously created anti-aircraft missile systems and systems. The S-500 is capable of becoming the basis of the Russian Aerospace Defense system."
We have not yet re-equipped all air defense units with the S-400. Why was it necessary to create the S-500 as well?
This is most likely explained by the fact that the United States has developed and conducted successful tests of the combat space shuttle X-37B. It was reported that these shuttles can carry nuclear weapons on board. The X-37 is capable of actively maneuvering, changing flight orbits. That is, they can take a firing position over any point of the globe and from there launch a nuclear missile strike, which is almost impossible to repel.
Currently, the Treaty on the Principles of the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space, including the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies, is in force. In 1967, it was signed by the United States, Great Britain and the USSR. Today, 110 countries are States parties to this Treaty. The Treaty prohibits the deployment of nuclear weapons or any other weapons of mass destruction in Earth orbit.
There is no doubt that this international document will not become an obstacle for the Pentagon if it wants to play not in a movie, but in real space wars.
That's why they were in a hurry to launch the S-500 mobile system into production. It was reported that Prometheus has several types of missiles in its armament. They are capable of shooting down all aerial targets. And the most powerful will be guaranteed to hit spacecraft as well. As far as is known from open sources, the American X-37B can launch its missiles from a height of no more than 200 km. And this is just the height of the defeat of the S-500 missiles.
The characteristics of Prometheus are, of course, secret. Nevertheless, some information passed in the open media. And there is no reason not to believe her.
The S-500 radar system is capable of detecting targets in near space at a range and altitude of up to 2000 km. A high-power rocket has a flight radius of up to 600 km, and an altitude of 200 km. Therefore, this system can be called not only anti-aircraft, but also anti-space.
Sergey Ptichkin
