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Russia has carried out “the world’s longest” test of the S-500 Prometey surface-to-air missile, the US TV channel CNBC reported on May 25, quoting sources with direct knowledge of US intelligence concerning the weapons program.
According to CNBC sources, the S-500 Prometey surface-to-air missile system struck a target of 299 miles (481 km) away. The sources stressed that this is 50 miles (80 km) further than any known test.
The Russian side has not commented on this report.
On October 23, 2017 Deputy Commander of the Russian Aerospace Forces Lieutenant General Viktor Gumenny stated that the Russian military will start receiving S-500 surface-to-air missile systems “closer to 2020.”
The S-500 Prometey surface-to-air missile system is designed for intercepting and destroying intercontinental ballistic missiles, hypersonic cruise missiles and aircraft.
On May 18, CNBC reported quoting anonymous sources aware of US intelligence reports that new Russian “invincible” hypersonic glide vehicle Avangard would be ready by 2020. The sources pointed out that Russia had tested the Avangard twice in 2016 and once in October 2017, which supposedly had failed as the device crashed down.
