The S-400 was developed in Russia and is a sophisticated air defense device with a range that reaches 550 km. It also has a target reach of 400 km. It is capable of engaging a variety of targets including fighter jets as well as strategic cruise missiles and aircraft up to five metres above ground. It's equipped with long-range surveillance radars and advanced electronic warfare system. India, Turkey, China and China are the markets that have purchased the S-400.
Over the years, the S-400 has been subject to many improvements and refinements. 1999 saw the first successful test. It boasts a variety capabilities, including a very long range and large target selection. A command post coordinates all missiles batteries and surveillance radars. Typically, an S-400 system includes six to eight missile complexes.
It is capable of locating and tracking a wide range of targets, including aircraft and ships. It can also use agile beam-steering and rapid frequency hopping to intercept targets. It can track targets as far away as 600km. The S-400 also has a long-range surveillance radar, which provides a detailed view of airspace. The S-400 has the ability to track, identify, and engage targets as high as five metres above the earth. It is also one the most powerful and reliable surface-to air missile systems in the entire world.
The S-400 system has undergone several high-profile testing failures in the last few years. There is no doubt Russia has learned from its mistakes and now has a system that can meet the challenges. A newer version of software and systems are being added to the S-400.
The S-400 has the ability to detect and track targets at 600 km range and can engage up a maximum of 36 at once. It has also been adapted to be used as an anti-ballistic missile system. The S-400 is also equipped with a variety of radars, including the KRTP-91 Tamara (Trash Can) and the 86V6 Orion (Mask). It is compatible with many different emitter locating devices, including the 85V6 Orion Vega (Vega), and the 59N6 GE Protivnik GE. It can also track stealth planes and is known as the "missile to the millennium."
The S-400 is not the only air defense system with a large range and many features. Currently, a Russian system similar to the S-400 is in development. It is called the NGAD. The S-400 offers several advantages over the NGAD including speed and modularity. It can track and engage large numbers of targets, so it can be deployed quickly. The S-400 is also more difficult to engage when networked with AWACS.
Although the S-400 can be an impressive weapon system it is still limited. Its range can be an issue in large-scale conflicts, for example. It is also susceptible for attacks by volume, which can be common in peer to peer combat.
The S-400 is not able to do everything the NGAD does. An integrated air defence system that is larger and more effective is better. Budget restrictions limit the S-400's effectiveness.