Practically 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 secure and minimize the risk of an air attack on the country. There are many different types of protective equipment. They can be air, land, and ship. And they all have one task - to find the enemy first and neutralize him.
Powerful Defense
The main air shield of the state - this is how you can briefly describe modern anti-aircraft missile systems. They are a set of complex technical means and combat vehicles (objects) that are capable of preventing enemy aerospace attacks on almost the entire territory of the state. There are many different types of RZK, but the main one is the classification according to the theater of operations:
- Marine.
- Land.
The Russian Federation is a huge country with great potential, and will soon be armed with the S-500, the most advanced anti-aircraft missile system. She is capable of many things. The United States, as the main opponent of Russia, also has its own modern complexes, one of which isPatriot.
Today we will talk about how the S-500 missile system was created, what it is capable of, and also discuss recent tests. Let's start with the history of its appearance.
S-500 modifications
Modern anti-aircraft missile system did not appear from scratch. Its first developments began back 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 designer Grushin.
The second step on the way to modern developments was the S-300 complex - for the first time in the ranks of the army of combat vehicles of the USSR, it appeared in 1975, and is still in service in updated versions. The designer who developed the system is Efremov V. P. 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 - "Triumfator" - a new generation anti-aircraft missile system. It is capable of detecting and shooting down ste alth aircraft, ballistic missiles, etc. In service since 2007.
And, finally, the S-500 anti-aircraft system. It was developed in 2012 and will enter service in 2015-2016. This complex will become the main means of protecting air defense in the Russian Federation.
Development of a modern anti-aircraft missile system
The initial stage of development of the fifth air defense systemgeneration started in 2010. It was then that the preliminary preparation of the project began. In the summer of 2011, the 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. By developing this system in strict secrecy, it was hoped to create the best air defense system in the world. And after passing the tests, the developers were able to safely say this.
Main Tasks
S-500 - the fifth generation missile system - performs 3 main tasks. These are:
- Protection.
- Interception.
- 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 and radio detection systems, 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 combat unit by any means. 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 3,500 kilometers. The maximum target intercept height is50 km. For comparison: the Patriot complex is capable of neutralizing a target at an altitude of up to 24 kilometers. Taking this indicator into account, 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 have 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 Mach 5).
Capability of the S-500 self-propelled complex
The S-500 air defense system was developed using the latest technologies. It is multifunctional and capable of destroying up to 40 enemy targets almost single-handedly. The radar system of the complex can simultaneously conduct 20 targets. 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 traveling 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 30 degrees.
The system is equipped with ultra-powerful portable radars the world has never seen before. They are capable of detecting 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 a high cross-country ability andfully 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
S-500 (development characteristics are simply impressive) has a dry weight of 54 tons. The weight 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 steerable. The power of the power unit is 550 horsepower. Fuel type - diesel. The maximum height of the overcome curb is 1.7 meters. For the first time, the BAZ-69096 mobile chassis was presented in 2012 at a demonstration of military equipment of the Russian Federation. This is the first mobile chassis for air defense systems, which has a wheel arrangement of 10 by 10.
S-500 is an anti-aircraft missile system that has great potential and capabilities. The same opinion is shared by the holders of the highest ranks of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation. Since the system has not yet fully entered service, the rest of the technical characteristics of the machine remain classified and are not subject to disclosure.
Testing the latest air defense system
In the summer of 2014, the armed forces of the Russian Federation tested a prototype of the S-500 RZK. According to preliminary data, it became known that the latest Russian air defense system has become the best in the world and bypassed such complexes as Patriot-3 and THAAD in terms of its characteristics.
According to the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation, the tests were carried out very successfully, all the goals set andtasks were completed with ease. 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 enter the ranks of the army around the middle of 2017, will remain the best of its kind for at least 10-15 years.
S-500 is the latest air defense system in the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation
At the moment, two different anti-aircraft missile systems, S-300 and S-400, are guarding the country's airspace. The first, despite the modification, is already barely up to world standards. Soon after the S-500 enters service, the S-300 missile system will be removed from the ranks of Russian military equipment. Fourth and fifth generation systems will remain in service. Serial production of the latter is scheduled for 2017. The Ministry of Defense expects that the S-500 will become an insurmountable frontier 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. The Americans will be chasing our technologies for a long time and will try to get closer to the milestone set by domestic specialists.
Foreign analogue - "Patriot"
Today, there are two almost equal air defense systems in the world - the Russian Federation and the United States. In our country, this is the S-400. The American development is called "Patriot-3", it is the embodiment of perfectionto date. 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 patency of this machine. Compared to Russian combat vehicles, the Patriot is not as powerful.
However, no one knows what the US 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. Will the US be able to 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 Defense Minister Rogozin emphasized the following: “Our country must be protected not only at the 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 fifth-generation air defense systems.
