Thread by @RALee85

Thread: After Denis Manturov's comments last week that R&D on the S-500 was almost complete, Izvestia reports that the S-500's detection radar (RLK) and multi-functional radar (RLS) have both passed training range tests and are ready for production. 1/
iz.ru/873621/aleksei…

The radar systems passed their tests at the VKS' 185th Training Center (TsBP and BPR) in Astrakhan. Several MoD sources told Izvestia that particular attention was paid to integrating the S-500's radars with the new Pantsir-SM air defense systems. 2/

The S-500's minimum set of equipment includes a C2 center with an automatic control system (ASU), an RLK radar for the long-range search and identification of ballistic and aerial targets, and an RLS "Podsvetki" radar for tracking targets and guiding missiles. 3/

The S-500 can be further reinforced with mobile antennas and other equipment. The systems will be based on BAZ or MZKT vehicles. The S-500 is supposed to be able to defeat intercontinental and medium-range ballistic missiles during the mid-course or terminal phase of flight. 4/

The S-500 is also supposed to be able to defeat aircraft, helicopters, UAVs (including high-altitude), and cruise (including hypersonic) missiles at a speed of more than 6k km/h. This at a range of up to 600 km and 100 km altitude (including satellites in low-earth orbit). 5/

The S-500 will be able to integrate with S-300, S-350, S-400, and Pantsir-SM air defense systems. It will be deployed to protect Russia's industrial and political centers, as well as large military formations. 6/

The S-500's automatic control system will prioritize targets detected and tracked by the S-500's radars, which will then assign appropriate targets for S-500 TELs (e.g. long-range targets) and Pantsir-SM systems (e.g. short-range targets, UAVs, etc.). 7/

Izvestia also reports that the Pantsir-SM air defense systems (a deep modernization of the Pantsir-S1 using Syrian experiences) will be used to defend small-size but important political and military targets, including Ground Force units, and possibly strengthen PVO units. 8/

What is interesting is that the Pantsir was designed for Russia's PVO forces in its VKS, but not for Ground Forces air defense units, which are generally equipped with tracked Tunguska AD systems. It sounds as though the Pantsir-SM will take over for Tunguskas. 9/

The new Pantsir-SM will be able to engage targets at a range of 20 km and up to 15 km in altitude. It will be equipped with a detection radar and a target tracking station. 10/