Almaz-Antey Chief Designer Pavel Sozinov has announced new details of a Russian next-generation high-altitude missile interceptor system, called the S-500. 

“The S-500 missile system is classified as a fifth-generation system, and it will solve, among other things, anti-ballistic missile (ABM) targets”, said Pavel Sozinov.

The S-500 (55R6M Triumfator-M) is the latest generation of Russian-made surface-to-air defence missile system, currently under development by the Russia’s Almaz-Antey Air Defence Concern Joint Stock Company.

“We are striving to significantly exceed by many characteristics those achievements that are realized by Americans in the THAAD mobile anti-missile system,” also noted Chief Designer.

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Compared to the current S-400, the new system “will be completely different constructively and technically, it will have new radar station and computational tools, new anti-aircraft guided missiles,” explained Sozinov.

“Another important point – and this is the world trend – the basic operating modes in the S-500 system will be automatic. That is, the intervention of the human operator in the course of combat operations is assumed, but the basic mode of all the C-500 facilities individually, and the system as a whole, is automatic, “, said Pavel Sozinov.

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According to Russian sources, the S-500 is an advanced version of S-400 with dedicated components designed to intercept ballistic missiles at a height of up to 200 km.

Also, armyrecognition.com reported that the production of S-500 air defence weapons on automobile undercarriage has been launched at the machine-building enterprise in Nizhny Novgorod.

The S-500 is expected to have an extended range of up to 600 km (over 370 miles) and simultaneously engage up to 10 targets. The system will be capable of destroying hypersonic and ballistic targets. The S-500’s interceptors will operate at an altitude higher than 185km.

The S-500 air-defence missile system will enter service with the Russian Aerospace Forces (VCSs) in 2019-2020 following the completion of testing.