Almost every developed country today has air defense systems. These funds help ensure a peaceful sky over the heads of citizens. Their goal is simple - to protect and minimize the risk of attacking the country from the air. There are many different types of remedies. They can be both air, and land, and ship. And they all have one task - to find the enemy first and neutralize him.
Powerful protection
The main air shield of the state - this is how it is possible to briefly describe the anti-aircraft missile systems of the modern type. They are a combination of sophisticated technical equipment and military vehicles (objects) that are able to prevent aerospace attacks of the enemy almost throughout the state. There are many different types of RPKs, but the main classification is the theater of operations:
The Russian Federation is a huge country with great potential, soon it will be armed with the S-500 - the most advanced type of anti-aircraft missile system. She is capable of much. The USA, as the main opponent of Russia, also has its own modern complexes, one of which is the Patriot.
Today we will talk about how the S-500 missile system was created, what it is capable of, and we will also discuss recently passed tests. Let's start with the history of its appearance.
Modifications S-500
The modern anti- aircraft missile system did not appear from scratch. Its first development began in Soviet times, when the first S-200, a long-range missile system, was in service with the USSR. This version was developed in 1965 by the designer Grushin.
The second step towards modern development was the S-300 complex - it appeared for the first time in the army of combat vehicles of the USSR in 1975, and still carries out its service in updated versions. The designer who developed the system is V. P. Efremov. The main task of this system is to protect huge industrial and administrative facilities. It is capable of hitting various types of targets - from ballistic to aerodynamic.
The third modification of the S-400 - "Triumphant" - a new generation anti-aircraft missile system. He is able to detect and shoot invisible planes, ballistic missiles, etc. In service since 2007.
And finally, the S-500 anti-aircraft system. It was developed in 2012 and will go into service in 2015-2016. This complex will become the main means of defense of air defense in the Russian Federation.
Development of a modern anti-aircraft missile system
The initial stage of development of the fifth generation air defense system began in 2010. It was then that the outline preparation of the project began. In the summer of 2011, designers and engineers of the Almaz-Antey Air Defense Concern completed this work. The designers hoped to create a completely new complex, capable of destroying low-orbit targets, as well as spacecraft. At the end of 2012, the S-500 (anti-aircraft missile system) was already assembled. Soon they released the first prototype, which received at its disposal specially designed missiles that are intended only for him. The S-500 anti-aircraft missile system has its own missiles - 40N6M, 77N6-N, 77N6-N1. Developing this system in strict secrecy, there was a hope to create the world's best air defense system. And after the tests, the developers were able to safely say so.
Main goals
S-500 - the fifth generation missile system - performs 3 main tasks. These are:
- Protection.
- Intercept.
- Destruction.
All these tasks are excellently performed by the complex. Let's look at each of the points and determine what it is aimed at:
- The complex is protected from guidance systems and radio detection, as well as from modern systems that interfere with missiles and their guidance. Thus , the enemy will not be able to prevent the interception and destruction of his military unit by any forces. The developers paid special attention to this item.
- The S-500 system is capable of intercepting any flying objects at a distance of up to 3500 kilometers. The maximum height of interception of the target is 50 km. For comparison: the Patriot complex is capable of neutralizing a target at an altitude of up to 24 kilometers. Given this indicator, we see that the Russian system is twice as good.
- The complex must be able to destroy the most modern means of air attack. Our developers managed to achieve incredible results. The S-500 air defense system is capable of shooting down low-orbit satellites, orbital platforms, hypersonic cruise missiles, aircraft and UAVs (over 5 missiles).
Possibilities of self-propelled complex S-500
The S-500 air defense system was developed using the latest technology. It is multifunctional and capable of almost exclusively destroying up to 40 enemy targets. The radar system of the complex can simultaneously lead 20 goals. The complex intercepts various air targets flying at a speed of over 7 kilometers per second. This is a pretty impressive result. At a distance of up to 600 km, the S-500 system can simultaneously hit up to 10 targets.
In order to launch a rocket, the complex needs only 10 minutes (from the marching state to full combat readiness). In this case, the surface on which the installation is located does not have to be flat. Technical means and stability systems allow the S-500 to launch missiles at an angle of inclination of 30 degrees.
The system is equipped with heavy-duty portable radars that the world has not yet seen. They are able to detect targets at a distance of up to 1000 km with a minimum height of 5 meters and a maximum of 50 km. The land complex has high traffic and is fully adapted to the harsh climatic conditions of our country. Therefore, he is not afraid of cold, dirt and adverse terrain conditions.
Technical characteristics of the complex
The S-500 (the development characteristics are simply impressive) has a dry weight of 54 tons. The mass of the cargo in full combat readiness is 33 tons, and the tractor itself is 21 tons. The BAZ-69096 is equipped with five axles - all 10 wheels are driving. The front two axles are steered. The power unit is 550 horsepower. Type of fuel - diesel. The maximum height of the overcome border is 1.7 meters. For the first time, the BAZ-69096 mobile chassis was presented in 2012 at a display of Russian military equipment. This is the first mobile chassis for air defense systems, which has a wheel formula of 10 to 10.
S-500 - anti-aircraft missile system, which has huge potential and capabilities. The carriers of the highest ranks of the Armed forces of the Russian Federation hold the same opinion. Since the system has not yet fully entered service, the remaining technical characteristics of the machine remain classified and not subject to disclosure.
Tests of the latest air defense system
In the summer of 2014, the armed forces of the Russian Federation tested a prototype S-500. According to preliminary data, it became known that the latest Russian air defense system became the best in the world and outperformed such systems as Patriot-3 and THAAD in its characteristics.
According to the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation, the tests were carried out very successfully, all the goals and objectives were easily completed. The S-500, whose characteristics are still unknown, has become the best of all existing advanced air defense systems. Based on the conclusion of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation, we can conclude that our modern fifth-generation system, which will join the army around mid-2017, will remain the best of its kind for at least 10-15 years.
S-500 - the latest air defense system in the Armed forces of the Russian Federation
At the moment, the airspace of the country is guarded by two different anti-aircraft missile systems - S-300 and S-400. The first, despite the modification, is barely reaching the world standards. Shortly after the arming of the S-500, the S-300 missile system will be removed from the ranks of Russian military equipment. The fourth and fifth generation systems will remain in service. Serial production of the latter is scheduled for 2017. The Ministry of Defense expects the S-500 to become an insurmountable milestone in the development of air defense of other states of the world for at least another two decades.
The Russian S-500 (anti-aircraft missile system) will be the best of all air defense systems. Americans will chase after our technologies for a long time and try to come closer to the line established by domestic experts.
Foreign counterpart - "Patriot"
Today in the world there are two almost equal air defense systems - in the Russian Federation and the United States. In our country, this is the S-400. The American development is named "Patriot-3", it is the embodiment of perfection today. There is no better system than this. A modern anti-aircraft missile system is capable of destroying targets at an altitude of up to 24 kilometers and at a distance of up to 500 kilometers. The only drawback is the cross-country ability of this machine. Compared to Russian combat vehicles, the Patriot is not so powerful.
However, no one knows what the United States will do after the release of our S-500. Russia, having created a perfect system capable of destroying targets in space, is challenging the Americans. Can the US answer? Time will tell.
Conclusion
The development of the air defense sector of the Russian Federation is the main task of the Ministry of Defense of the country. Deputy Minister of Defense Rogozin emphasized the following: “Our country must be protected not only at borders, but also in the air. Therefore, the creation of the S-500 complex is so necessary for the state - it will become a new air shield and will ensure a peaceful sky over the heads of citizens. ”
It is worth noting that more than 10 billion US dollars were allocated for the development of this complex. If the system does not justify itself, failure in this area will greatly affect the country's defense capability. Therefore, such attention is paid to the development of the fifth generation air defense system.