S-500 Prometey [Prometheus] 55R6M Triumfator-M
| 55R6M | |
| Target detection range | 600-750 km / ABM up to 2000 km |
| simultaneously tracked targets | up to 500 (forecast, Jan 2017) |
| Targeting range | 200 km / 600 km |
| Height of aerodynamic targets | up to 40-50 km |
| height of ballistic targets | up to 200 km (forecast, 2012) |
| Maximum target speed | 7000 m / s |
| deployment time from the march | 10-20 min (forecast) |
| Designated service life | not less than 20 years. |
According to information from open sources (officially the TTX is not published), this is a universal complex of long-range action and high-altitude interception, the radius of destruction of which is 600 kilometers. The system can simultaneously hit up to 10 ballistic missiles flying at speeds of up to 7 kilometers per second [ie, ISBMs], as well as aircraft, helicopters and cruise missiles. It is noted that the characteristics of the S-500 will significantly exceed the S-400 SAM in its arsenal. According to information from open sources, the range of target detection from the S-500 will be 200 kilometers more than that of the S-400, i.e. approximately 800 kilometers.
The main task of the complex is to combat the combat equipment of medium-range ballistic missiles: it is possible to intercept the MRBM with a launch range of up to 3,500 km, and, if necessary, an ICBM at the end of the trajectory and, in certain limits, in the middle section. From these weapons, cover must be provided for individual regions, major cities, industrial sites and priority strategic objectives. Also among the tasks of the anti-aircraft complex are the destruction of both conventional high-altitude and hypersonic cruise missiles with a speed of 5 M and higher, aircraft and UAVs; destruction of low-orbit satellites and space weapons, launched from hypersonic aircraft, shock hypersonic UAVs and orbital platforms.
The S-500 is sometimes described as an upgraded version of the S-400 SA-20 Triumf, which is estimated to be capable of engaging target missiles with ranges of up to 3,500 kilometers. Other source claim the two systems have very little in common. Very little information is available on the S-500, but it is assumed to have capabilities that go beyond those specified in the 1997 demarcation thresholds allowed for tactical anti-ballistic missile systems under the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty. It is reported that Russia has not undertaken actual development of the S-500, due to a lack of funding, and have consequently proposed joint development of the system with the United States.
By 2021 the Russian army had received its first S-500 air defense system. The unit was sent to the troops of the 15th Army of the Russian Aerospace Forces, covering Moscow and the Central Industrial District. Yet, editor-in-chief of ‘Homeland Arsenal’ Viktor Murahovsky urges not to rush with statements that the new generation air defense system is absolutely ready. “This is a pilot version of the S-500 that was sent to the military for operational tests. The version that was received by the army doesn’t have a number of required features and technical characteristics required for a new gen air defense unit,” the expert says. He states that it’s standard army practice when the military receives a pilot version of a weapon, in order for constructors to be able to fix the smallest operation details prior to full adaptation of the weapon. In parallel with this, the Russian military will continue a series of shooting tests at the Kapustin Yar range and train crews to work with the new system. “In 2022, the complex will be finished and the first fully operational unit will be delivered to the army. Mass S-500 deliveries to the Russian army will begin in 2024,” states Murahovsky.
The S-500 Prometey, also known as 55R6M Triumfator-M, is a cutting-edge anti-aircraft and anti-ballistic missile system currently under development in Russia. It is designed to replace the S-300 and the S-400 systems. Developed by Almaz Antey, the S-500 is said to have a range of 600 kilometers (more than 370 miles). The system can simultaneously intercept up to ten ballistic and hypersonic missiles moving at a speed of 7 kilometers per second.
The Prometey is capable of engaging targets at an altitude of up to 200 kilometers (more than 120 miles). The system is capable of intercepting aircraft and UAVs, as well as destroying low-earth-orbit satellites, space destruction devices and orbital weaponry. The S-500 will be a major upgrade to the state-of-the-art S-400 unit that is already in service. The system includes a range of improvements over the S-400, including an interception range of up to 600 km, depending on missile configuration. It "will form the upper tier of Russia's layered integrated air defense system," according to defense expert Dave Majumdar, writing for the US magazine National Interest.
A number of advances have been issued in advance to the new anti-aircraft missile systems. According to available information, the new anti-aircraft missile system is a universal complex of long-range and high-altitude intercept with an enhanced missile defense capability.
According to information from open sources, the S-500 has an impact radius of 600 kilometers. The complex will be able to detect and simultaneously hit up to 10 ballistic supersonic targets flying at speeds of up to 7 kilometers per second, and also be able to defeat the combat blocks of hypersonic missiles. That is, the new complex will become one of the elements of counteraction to the American concept of an "instant global strike".
Outwardly, the S-500 looks similar to the launcher used by the Abakan air defence system, which was demonstrated at the Army-2020 military expo by Almaz-Antei in 2020. The Abakan launch vehicle also uses the BAZ-69096 transport vehicle, and is also equipped with two 51P6E2 launch tubes. The biggest visual difference is that the Abakan also integrates a targeting radar which can be folded into the vehicle. The S-500’s ability to deploy high altitude missiles enable it to target low-orbiting satellites. The missiles’ blazing fast speed allows it to intercept incoming medium-range and intercontinental ballistic missiles and even hypersonic targets.
The US National Interest earlier noted that the S-500 is an analog of THAAD, integrated into a "single network" with the S-400, S-300VM4 (Antey-2500) and S-350 (Vityaz) systems, forming an integrated air defense system. Generally speaking, some experts believe that the S-500 can be attributed to the first generation of systems of anti-space defense, analogues of which in the world currently do not.
If the S-400 is a complex adopted for armament and exported, the unofficial characteristics of the S-500 give skeptics a reason to doubt whether the capabilities of the new SAM are so great. "Given the history of the development of the American system THAAD, which has experienced many setbacks in more than 10 years of testing, there are reasons to believe that it will take a long time to create an effective anti-missile system in Russia," the authors of the aforementioned National Interest underline.
However, these doubts are also more likely from the field of theory. Experience in the development of anti-missile systems in our country is rich. Yes, and the current SAMs have far from exhausted their capabilities - so that there is still time left. Although, of course, a lot of it never happens.
In addition to ICBMs, the S-500 can effectively combat hypersonic targets, orbital platforms, high-altitude drone. However, the scope of the new system is not limited exclusively to the functions of missile defense and air defense. In the near space, just at altitudes of about 100 kilometers, most military satellites operate. They provide troops with communication, navigation, target designation. Destruction of the enemy's satellite group will literally "blind" and "stun" its armed forces, depriving them of their advantages. To achieve these goals, Russian gunsmiths are developing not only new anti-aircraft missiles, but also a family of advanced electronic warfare systems.
"In accordance with the instructions of the country's leadership, we are carrying out research to solve the problem of counteracting space-based weapons," said Sozinov. "This concerns the possibilities of electronic suppression of some means of reconnaissance, opto-electronic reconnaissance and space-based communications, as well as direct functional damage to those elements , which are deployed in orbit. "
Since "Enisei" is included in the set of the prospective air defense system C-500 "Prometey", there is no data on this radar in open access, the Military Review reported. One can only assume that the station is the development of the 96L6E radar, used in the S-300 and S-400 complexes. The radar is equipped with an active phased array antenna and is used to detect and track targets throughout the altitude range, to identify their belonging according to the "one's own" principle, to determine the primary objectives for issuing coordinates to the weapons. All this work the radar performs in automatic mode, recognizing four types of air objects: airplanes, helicopters, drones and missiles.
A feature of the S-500 air defense system is the inclusion in its composition of several specialized radars for capturing and tracking various types of targets. The same specialization is used in the means of destruction: ballistic missiles are supposed to be shot down by one missile, satellites by others, and planes by the third. Prometheus is the only air defense complex in the world capable of fighting hypersonic targets. Now the components of the system are being tested.
The mobile air defense complex S-500, using the 77N6-N and 77N6-N1 anti-ballistic missiles (from 5 to 7 km/s) is a true universal soldier capable of knocking down any targets, including low-flying satellites and hypersonic missiles of the future, developing a speed of about Mach 6-7. In addition, US military analysts drew attention to the possibility of well-coordinated work of a number of air defense systems - the C300, C350, C400 and C500. To suchcapabilities, it is also necessary to add the "Nudol" A-235 system, which is coming soon to combat duty, in exchange for the obsolete A-135 "Amur".
The Russian Defense Ministry officially didn’t reveal which system it used to shoot down an old Soviet satellite. “We can assume that was a real combat launch of the fifth-generation S-500 surface-to-air missile system which is capable of selecting specific targets in near space and shooting them down,” says Igor Korotchenko, editor-in-chief of 'National Defense’ magazine. According to him, the test data shows that the S-500 will neutralize threats of the new reusable maneuvering orbit weapons which are capable of carrying all types of weapons, including the nuclear ones. “Russia wanted to show that it’s capable of eliminating threats coming from near space. It’s worth mentioning that the S-500 and the S-550 are exclusively defensive weapons. Their tasks are to respond to new types of military threats that will materialize within the next five years in Earth orbit,” mentions Korotchenko. The new complex, which will form the upper layer of the single layered air defense system of Russia, can hit targets at altitudes of up to 200 kilometers. Kosmos-1408, a spy satellite launched in 1982, had a perigee altitude of 465 km (290 mi) and an apogee altitude of 490 km (300 mi). These parameters are roughly double the reported altitude capability of the s-500.
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