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| The upcoming Russian S-500 system is being developed by the state-owned Almaz-Antey Corporation, which also developed the S-400 air defense systems. |
International Military - After a delay of more than half a decade, the S-500 missile is now entering service in 2021. The S-500 missile is a 'derivative' of the S-400 missile. This missile is claimed to have more sophisticated specifications than the S-400 missile.
Reporting from Military Watch Magazine, the S-500 missile has the unique ability to intercept maneuverable hypersonic missiles at speeds exceeding Mach 10. It also has a firing range of up to 600km. Meanwhile, its predecessor, the S-400 missile can only intercept Mach 8 targets.
The S-500 missile has many advanced features. These include a very high level of situational awareness with a detection range of 800km against aircraft, the ability to intercept satellites and ICBMs, and the ability to network with older air defense systems.
The S-500 is only designed to neutralize high-value targets such as strategic bombers, strategic ballistic missiles, satellites and spacecraft.
In addition, the S-500 is also designed to neutralize targets as large as fighter aircraft. His powerful sensors make him potentially very tough to deal with. However, the system was not designed for combat against other fighter or tactical aircraft. The S-500 is unlikely to be tasked with targeting enemy stealth fighters directly, but its capabilities allow it to seriously impede their effectiveness through primary support targets.
Nonetheless, the S-500 has the potential to make an important contribution to overcoming enemy stealth aircraft. This is due to the presence of a strong and close anti-jamming sensor system. In addition, the satellites relied on for communications, navigation, surveillance and weapons guidance, if neutralized by the S-500, would also severely impede the operations of enemy stealth combat units.