Russian S-500 "Prometheus" SAM systems can operate in near space — what is known about them

Russian S-500 "Prometheus" SAM systems have confirmed that they can operate in near space and repel hypersonic missile attacks.

According to "Izvestia", which refers to its sources in the Ministry of Defense of Russia, this was confirmed by multi-stage tests, where "Prometheus" showed that it is capable of tracking, intercepting and destroying various types of threats. It is capable of neutralizing everything: from "simpler missiles" to promising strategic hypersonic aircraft, similar to the Russian "Avangards".

The "Avangard" intercontinental ballistic missiles can fly in the dense layers of the atmosphere, reach speeds of 32.1 thousand km/h and are invulnerable to world air defense forces. In the West, they are called a "chilling threat", and at least several months ago, the West admitted that they do not have similar weapons.

So far, no official confirmation of the new "Prometheus" tests has been received from the Ministry of Defense in response to journalists' requests, but no refutation has been voiced either.

What is known about the characteristics of the S-500 "Prometheus"

The S-500 "Prometheus" SAM system is one of the most versatile and mysterious developments of the Russian defense industry. The exact characteristics of this product, developed and manufactured by the Almaz-Antey concern, have never been published. However, it is known that the system includes a combat control center, a long-range radar station, an anti-aircraft part, an anti-missile part and a launcher.

"Prometheus" can operate with different types of ammunition depending on the targets in the air, the exoatmospheric part or near space. They will hit both aircraft, including fifth-generation fighters, at a distance of more than 400 km, as well as ballistic missiles and hypersonic targets. In particular, when operating, this SAM system uses ultra-long-range ammunition from the S-400. However, "Prometheus" is not intended to completely replace the S-400, but complements it.

According to a number of media outlets, which refer to their sources in the Ministry of Defense, since 2021, "Prometheus" has been part of the troops defending Moscow and the Central Industrial Region. In 2022, according to the manufacturing concern, they entered mass production. And they are already being sent to military units in Russia.