Russia has successfully completed the formation of the first full unit equipped with the revolutionary S-500 “Prometheus” air defense system, marking a major technological step forward in military strategy and defense. Military analysts believe that the S-500 is not only a technological achievement, but also a strategic tool that can redefine the global balance of power. The full operation of the S-500 is expected to trigger a new arms race, with NATO countries having to develop countermeasures to this advanced system. “Prometheus” is expected to form the basis for future systems such as the S-550, which will include even more advanced capabilities, such as autonomous control.
According to Russian state news agencies, the first S-500 system has already been deployed to protect the strategically crucial Kerch Strait, which connects the Russian mainland with the Crimean peninsula in the Black Sea.
The new anti-missile system for intercepting intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) and hypersonic missiles is technically superior to the American THAAD (terminal High Altitude Area Defense) by at least a decade. Prometheus is capable of intercepting medium- and long-range missiles approaching the target at subsonic, hypersonic or hypersonic speeds, in addition to tactical combat aircraft. It is capable of simultaneously intercepting and engaging up to ten hypersonic targets at a distance of up to 800 kilometers. To counter and destroy ICBM missiles, the S-500 missiles will carry nuclear warheads, because according to Russian technicians, this is the only way to destroy the multiple nuclear warheads released by an American ICBM, without first needing to detect the real ones from the dummy warheads.
During various stages of testing, the S-500 system has demonstrated the ability to destroy targets flying at hypersonic speeds. In general, these targets resemble Russia’s Avangard stealth hypersonic gliders, as well as simpler forms of missiles. We recall that the highly maneuverable Avangard conventional or nuclear flying warhead, recently successfully tested in the Ukrainian war, develops speeds of up to Mach 20 (6.8 km per second) and is directed towards the selected target, penetrating any existing or future missile defense system. The use of composite materials and metamaterials allows the aircraft to withstand temperatures of up to 2,000 degrees Celsius, which allows it to re-enter the atmosphere from high orbits.
The “Prometheus” demonstrated its ability not only to track, but also to intercept, these up to 20 Mach (6.8 km per second) moving targets. The test was conducted by launching a missile from the Northern Fleet’s nuclear missile submarine “Tula”, which from the frozen Laptev Sea targeted the Chizha test range. The exercise was designed to hit the Tula with ballistic missiles at one or more land targets at hypersonic speeds, as well as effectively manage guided warheads and systems with a shorter range.
In summary, the “Prometheus” can detect traditional (free-fall) ballistic missiles from about 2,000 kilometers away, giving the anti-aircraft system enough time to calculate its trajectory. Hypersonic targets, however, do not follow a high ballistic trajectory, but instead travel at the atmospheric boundary. Detection ranges can only encompass 300-500 kilometers instead of the usual distances of 2,000 km. Consequently, reaction times are significantly reduced, requiring rapid computational assessment of the predicted course of these targets and the launch of multiple missiles for a decisive, safe shootdown, a challenge that increases in complexity if the flying object exhibits agility.
The S-500’s effectiveness against hypersonic targets likely stems from state-of-the-art radars synchronized with an artificial intelligence computational matrix. This allows for real-time processing of data from the radars, providing critical information to the launchers and ensuring precise guidance for the successful interception of agile hypersonic vehicles.
Russia, with the addition of the S-500 to its defense grid, becomes a very difficult opponent to NATO’s imperialist agenda and a decisive competitor to its aggressive policy. NATO should learn from the thousand-year history of Russian strategy and wars if it wants to avoid a humiliating military confrontation.
