Russia’s S-500 Prometheus air defense system has successfully completed a series of tests, confirming its ability to intercept hypersonic targets.
The Russian Ministry of Defense said that during testing, the S-500 Prometheus air defense system proved highly effective in intercepting both current and future hypersonic weapons. This system will enter service with the Russian army in 2024, which will significantly strengthen Russia’s defense capabilities.
The S-500 Prometheus represents the latest achievement in the field of Russian air defense mιssιle systems. The complex can operate at altitudes of up to 200 km and at ranges of up to 600 km, effectively countering not only aerodynamic threats but also space-based threats, including including satellites in low Earth orbit.
Russian expert Dmitry Kornev highly appreciated the capabilities of the S-500, emphasizing that this system is not only capable of dealing with warheads of intercontinental ballistic missiles moving at supersonic speeds, but also against warheads of intercontinental ballistic missiles moving at supersonic speeds. guided munitions as well as similar short-range systems.
According to him, Prometheus’s success in figҺting hypersonic targets is probably achieved thanks to new radar and powerful computer systems. It provides the ability to process information from radar and generate data for launchers.
“The challenge lies in tracking and intercepting targets of small size and unique shape, which requires powerful radar capabilities,” Mr. Kornev explained.
Russian military experts added that traditional ballistic missiles can be detected from a distance of about 2,000 km, giving the air defense system plenty of time to calculate its trajectory. However, hypersonic targets do not follow a high ballistic trajectory but move along the edge of the atmosphere. The detection range may be only 300-500 km instead of the usual 2,000 km. As a result, reaction time is significantly reduced, requiring rapid calculation of its intended path and the launch of multiple missiles to decisively and safely take down the target.
In addition, the S-500 system must have missiles with high mobility, because only they can intercept hypersonic weapons.
To combat aerodynamic targets, the S-500 deploys the 40N6 mιssιle, which is currently used on the S-400 system. To destrоy ballistic missiles in the outer atmosphere and in space, the S-500 will use 77N6 missiles, equipped with both conventional and special warheads.
Basically, the S-500 Prometheus can intercept many types of missiles from short-range systems to intercontinental ballistic missiles, as well as hypersonic guidance complexes and hypersonic missiles moving at high speed. at relatively low altitude.
According to Bulgarian Military, in fact, the above mentioned hypersonic mιssιles are still quite rare, so it is still unclear what is the “worthy” target of the S-500. The US is only now beginning to test the deployment of such a ground-launched mιssιle.
To date, the S-500 remаins a mystеry. The S-500 program was developed in sеcrеt. News about the existence of this system appeared in the media in 2009, although its creation was carried out long before that. By 2022, media began reporting on deliveries to the Russian military. However, the specific specifications and characteristics of the S-500 have not yet been announced.
The S-500 is considered a complement, not a replacement, for modern S-400 air defense systems. It was designed to protect the nation’s essential industrial and administrative centers.
Expert Kornev emphasized the possibility of combining the S-500 and S-400. Working in tandem, these systems are capable of eliminating virtually any air and space threаt.