Basically, what Russia has with the S-500 is, not only air-defense, but a ground-based space weapons system. America was to be first in weaponizing space with Reagan’s “Star Wars” system, however it was eventually mothballed and eliminated by politicians. After almost a decade of military cuts and self destruction, America has a lot of catching up to do… if it still can.

The S-500, designed by Almaz Antey, is said to have a range of 600 kilometers (more than 370 miles). The system can simultaneously intercept up to ten ballistic and hypersonic missiles traveling at a speed of 7 kilometers per second. The Prometey is capable of engaging targets at an altitude of up to 200 kilometers (more than 120 miles).
Cheburin, commander of the missile defense division of the 1st Air and Anti-Ballistic Missile Defense Army of the Russian Aerospace Defense Forces, told the newspaper Krasnaya Zvezda that activities aimed at creating “an integrated national defense system of the 21st century are in full swing.”
“This system will be finalized when [the Russian] Armed Forces receive the brand new long-range S-500 surface-to-air missile system and advanced radars,” he explained. Continue reading