S-500

   The S-500 is a new long-range anti-aircraft and anti-ballistic missile system, that is currently being developed in Russia. Development of this air defense system commenced in 2002. It is being developed by Almaz-Antey company. This system is also referred as the Prometey (Prometheus) and Triumfator-M. Prototype testing is expected to begin in 2015. The S-500 is planned to enter service at the end of this decade, possibly in 2017-2018. Russia plans to field ten battalions of S-500 missiles.

   The S-500 is not an upgrade of the S-400, but a new design. It uses a lot of new technology and is superior to the S-400. It was designed to intercept ballistic missiles. It is planned to have a range of 500-600 km and hit targets at altitudes as high as 40 km. Some sources claim that this system is capable of tracking 5-20 ballistic targets and intercepting up to 5-10 ballistic targets simultaneously. It can defeat ballistic missiles travelling at 5-7 kilometers per second. It has been reported that this air defense system can also target low orbital satellites. It is planned that the S-500 will shield Moscow and the regions around it. It will replace the current A-135 anti-ballistic missile system. The S-500 missiles will be used only against the most important targets, such as intercontinental ballistic missiles, AWACS and jamming aircraft.

   The S-500 will carry various missiles. These missiles will have various ranges and will be used against different targets. In 2009 a 40N6 long-range air defense missile was ready for testing.

   Some sources report, that the S-500 system can detect ballistic missile at a range of 2 000 km and warheads of ballistic missiles at a range of 1 300 km. It can defeat ballistic missiles before their warheads re-enter atmosphere.

   This system has brief reaction time. It has been reported that the S-500 can launch missiles within 10 minutes from travelling. Also it can be considered as a survivable system, as after launching its missiles it can briefly redeploy. In the 1980s Soviets already used this shoot, scoot and hide philosophy on the S-300V air defense system.

   The S-500 missiles are mobile. All equipment will be carried by heavy high mobility trucks. The missiles are likely to be carried by and launched from BAZ-69096 trucks with 10x10 configuration. Two command posts are planned to be based on BAZ-69092-12 6x6 trucks. Acquisition and battle management radar is planned to be towed by BAZ-6403.01 8x8 tractor truck. Another acquisition radar is planned to be mounted on the BAZ-69096 10x10 chassis. A multi-mode engagement radar is planned to be mounted on BAZ-6909-022 8x8 truck. The anti-ballistic missile engagement radar is planned to be mounted on BAZ-69096 10x10 chassis. All of these vehicles have good cross-country mobility.

   It has been reported that there is also an S-1000 system being developed in Russia. Possibly it is a modification of the S-500.