Moscow, November 24 - In the high-stakes arena of modern aerial warfare, Russia's S-500 Prometheus air defense system emerges as a formidable contender, explicitly engineered to neutralize stealth threats like the U.S. F-22 Raptor and F-35 Lightning II fighters. Developed by Almaz-Antey since 2010 as the pinnacle of surface-to-air missile technology, the S-500 represents a quantum leap beyond its predecessors, the S-300 and S-400. Its core mission: to detect, track, and destroy low-observable aircraft designed to evade traditional radars, reshaping the dynamics of air superiority. With deployment accelerating amid global tensions, the S-500's anti-stealth capabilities have thrust it into the spotlight, challenging the unchallenged dominance of fifth-generation jets and prompting urgent reevaluations in military strategies worldwide.
At the heart of the S-500's prowess lies its sophisticated radar suite, including the 91N6A(M) S-band acquisition radar and 76T6 multi-mode engagement radar, which operate across multiple frequencies to pierce stealth coatings. Unlike conventional systems vulnerable to radar-absorbent materials on the F-22 and F-35, the Prometheus employs phased-array technology and advanced signal processing to identify low-observable targets at ranges exceeding 800 kilometers. This allows it to generate precise firing solutions even against agile, electronic-warfare-equipped foes. Complementing this are interceptor missiles like the 40N6M for aerodynamic threats up to 400 kilometers and the 77N6 series for hypersonic intercepts reaching 600 kilometers at altitudes over 180 kilometers. Capable of engaging up to 10 simultaneous targets, including ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and stealth fighters, the S-500 operates in a mobile, networked configuration, integrating seamlessly into broader air defense grids for layered protection.
What sets the S-500 apart in countering F-22 and F-35 fighters is its tailored anti-stealth doctrine, blending low-frequency radars for initial detection with high-precision guidance for terminal intercepts. Russian claims, backed by successful 2018 tests hitting targets at 482 kilometers, assert it can overwhelm the Raptor's supercruise speed and the Lightning II's sensor fusion by exploiting brief radar vulnerabilities during maneuvers. In simulated scenarios, the system's ability to track objects at 7 kilometers per second underscores its edge against hypersonic maneuvers these jets might employ. Yet, while theoretical models suggest a 600-kilometer engagement envelope could force stealth pilots into riskier low-altitude profiles, real-world efficacy hinges on integration with electronic warfare countermeasures, making the S-500 not just a missile battery but a comprehensive stealth-killer ecosystem.
As geopolitical flashpoints intensify, the S-500's operational debut, first in Moscow in 2021 and expanding to strategic sites, signals a paradigm shift in air defense innovation. For the F-22 and F-35, long symbols of Western technological supremacy, the Prometheus poses a credible deterrent, potentially denying uncontested airspace in contested theaters. Though untested in combat, its specs fuel debates on the twilight of stealth invincibility, urging advancements in next-gen countermeasures. In an era of hypersonic escalation, the S-500 stands as Russia's bold wager: no fighter, however invisible, flies unscathed forever.
