@Battle of Waterloo
This is mostly from Turkish sources rather than Russian...
Why would Russia test s-500 in Syria when they can test it in secret in Russia? Doesn't make sense. I am very sceptical of this.
I found the original article from Russian daily Izvestia, which the article in the original post refers to.
The article is in Russian, but I used the option in Google to translate it to English.
"Prometheus" ask for fire: S-500 systems tested in Syria
Testing the latest weapons was considered successful
Alexey Ramm,
Alexey Kozachenko,
Bogdan Stepova
October 2, 2019
In Syria, the most important elements of the Russian S-500 “Prometheus” air defense system have been tested. During testing, certain problems were identified in the operation of the equipment, but they were able to be quickly eliminated. The tests have already been completed and recognized successful, sources in the Ministry of Defense and the military-industrial complex told Izvestia. The effectiveness of the entire system depends on the uptime of the combat control point and the new all-high-altitude S-500 radar-detector, military experts say.
Wear work
During the tests that precede deliveries to the armed forces, special attention is always paid to the uninterrupted operation of all their components, said the former deputy commander-in-chief of the Russian Air Force on issues of the CIS integrated air defense system, Lieutenant General Aitech Bizhev.
“All equipment before running into the series must be run in,” he explained to Izvestia. - It is tested in harsh technical and climatic conditions and literally works for wear. Only such a mode of operation can identify deficiencies. After that, all breakdowns and problems are summarized, activated and carried out to eliminate them. Syria is well suited for such tests - it is always hot there, a lot of dust. In addition, the radar has to work around the clock - the situation in the republic is turbulent and anti-aircraft gunners must constantly maintain a radar field.
During the tests, great attention is also paid to the ergonomics of workplaces for crew members, the expert added.
Modeled after Hmeimim
The S-500 “Prometheus” system will also include a combat control point (PBU) with an automatic control system (ACS), explained Dmitry Kornev, editor-in-chief of the Military Russia portal. PBU is the brain of Prometheus. Its equipment provides the operation of a whole anti-aircraft connection. All information from the radars of not only the S-500 regiment, but also third-party radars, anti-aircraft systems and higher air defense command posts flocks here. Electronics of modern PBUs are able to determine goals and issue commands to defeat in automatic mode.
In addition, the kit includes a radar detection system (RLC), which is responsible for the long-distance search and identification of ballistic and aerodynamic targets. The S-500 also needs a multi-functional "backlight" radar - its main task is to capture the target and bring anti-aircraft missiles to it.
For the "five hundred", as well as for the S-400, a long-range high-altitude radar detector has been developed. It allows you to most accurately set the coordinates and flight path of ballistic and aerodynamic targets. This radar is capable of finding rockets, planes, helicopters and small drones at any altitude.
The tense situation in the Syrian Arab Republic provides a good opportunity to check the PBU and radar detectors, said Dmitry Kornev.
“The high-altitude radar and the PBU allow building reliable air defense without external sources of information,” the expert noted. - A high-altitude detector helps you track targets in time. PBU - to correctly distribute them between the air defense systems of a particular area. In particular, they can involve other complexes in repelling attacks. For example, entrust the “Bukam” or “Shell” the destruction of individual targets. According to a similar principle, the defense of the Khmeimim military base in Syria is being built.
An oil refinery in Saudi Arabia that was recently attacked by drones did not have such a defense system, Dmitry Kornev emphasized. Otherwise, the blow could be repelled, he is sure.
In the spotlight
Serial production of the S-500 will begin in the second half of 2020, recently announced the head of Rostec Sergey Chemezov. It is known that the elements for Prometheus were also tested on the basis of the 185th center for combat training and combat use of the aerospace forces in the Astrakhan region.
Training of specialist officers for Prometheus began in 2017 at the Military Academy of the Military Space Defense, which is located in Tver. The structure of this university includes a training center for anti-aircraft missile forces in the city of Gatchina, Leningrad Region, and a center for radio engineering troops in Vladimir. They are preparing combat crews for new anti-aircraft systems and systems.
Now the troops are testing a highly mobile radar - "ground AWACS" with elements of artificial intelligence. She is able to automatically track several dozen targets. The system with high accuracy determines the coordinates and parameters of the movement of aircraft and missiles, and also recognizes all types of aircraft, given their speed and location. A modern radar will become the main element in an automated air defense control system - it is planned to use it in areas where there will be a need to strengthen the radar field.
https://iz.ru/927353/aleksei-ramm-a...-prosiat-ognia-sistemy-s-500-ispytali-v-sirii
I also found another article from TASS, where the Russian Defense Ministry denies the test.
Defense Ministry denied information about the tests of the S-500 in Syria
MOSCOW, October 2. / TASS /.
The Russian Defense Ministry on Wednesday denied information about tests of the S-500 anti-aircraft missile system in Syria,
reported by the Izvestia newspaper.
"[Complex] The S-500 is designed to combat ballistic and aerodynamic targets at long ranges. There was no need for testing and especially the use of the S-500 anti-aircraft missile system in the Syrian Arab Republic," the military department commented. publication.
According to the Ministry of Defense, for testing these systems in difficult climatic conditions, the Ashuluk training ground in the Astrakhan region can be used, where the conditions for the operation of any air defense systems are not at all easier than in Syria.
The military department reminded that the air defense system in Syria protects Russian military installations in Tartus and Khmeimim from all classes of ballistic and aerodynamic targets. The latest Russian air defense systems S-400, Pantsir-S1, Tor-M2 and Su-35S fighters are used in the created air defense system.
As noted in the Ministry of Defense, the experience of using various Russian air defense systems in Syria is certainly taken into account when developing promising weapons systems, as well as individual units and subsystems. If necessary, individual elements of the created systems can be tested in real combat conditions.
Earlier, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu reported that the supply of the S-500 system to the troops will begin in 2020. The complex is being built with the possibility of operation in the next 25 years. The Western press noted that during the tests the new Russian system was able to hit the target at a distance of 481.2 km, which is 80 km further than any existing air defense system.
https://tass.ru/armiya-i-opk/6953672
