S-400. IMAGE: Sergei Malgavko
The 40N6 long-range surface-to-air missile of the S-400 Triumf system has entered service with the Russian Armed Forces, the state-run news agency TASS reported on October 18 citing a source in the domestic defense industry.
“The 40N6 long-range missile [the 40N6E as its export version] has been accepted for service. All the necessary documents were signed in September, after which the Defense Ministry started the purchases of these missiles,” TASS quoted the source as saying. “Overall, more than a thousand of 40N6 missiles are planned to be purchased under the state armament program through 2027 to provide newly formed and rearm existing S400 regiments of the Aerospace Force with them.”
According to the source, a total of 56 S-400 battalions were planned to be established in the Aerospace Force under the aforementioned program.
In July 2017, TASS reported that the 40N6 had successfully passed state trials.
The 40N6 is a long-range surface-to-air missile designed to strike early warning and electronic warfare aircraft, airborne command posts, strategic bombers and hypersonic cruise and ballistic missiles.
According to official data, the missile’s range is up to 380 km for aerodynamic targets and up to 15km for ballistic weapons at an altitude ranging from 10 m to 35 km. The average flight speed is 1,190 m/s. Using an advanced homing head, the missile can destroy targets beyond the boundaries of the radio visibility of ground-based radars.
In comparison, the US-made Patriot PAC-3 air defense system is capable of striking targets at a distance of up to 80-100 km.
56 battalions of S400 missile systems would provide a very effective air cover on strategic Russian defenses, over 1600 of missiles of verious types available to be fired at enemy intruders in one salvo.
The data provided in the article is the export variant of the missle 40N6E. Specifications of 40N6 missle is unknown.
The S-400 doesn’t have an exact US equivalent since the US is using a different tactical system (multi-layer defense instead of bubble defense). Also, it is way to early to be measuring privates on this matter since all the details on both systems is coming from official sources that have incentive to fudge facts.
“the US is using a different tactical system (multi-layer defense instead of bubble defense).”
there’s nothing multi-layer in US air defense wtf you think u’re talking about.