S-500: Russia’s New Missile System ‘Custom Built’ To Shoot Down U.S. Air Force F-22 and F-35 Fighters

Summary and Key Points: Russia argues its S-400—and especially the newer S-500—can detect and defeat stealth aircraft, but the more important question is whether detection can become a reliable engagement-quality track.

-Low-frequency surveillance radar may reveal a stealth presence, yet maintaining a continuous track on a fast-moving aircraft with fire-control radar is a far harder problem.

An F-22 Raptor assigned to the 1st Fighter Wing, Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va., takes off for a training mission during Northern Lightning, a training exercise held annually at Volk Field, Wisc., Aug. 12, 2020. This is the first time the 158th has participated in the exercise with the F-35s, which sees them working with F-22 Raptors assigned to the 1st Fighter Wing, Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va., F/A-18E Super Hornets assigned to VFA-151, Naval Air Station Lemoore, Calif., F-16 Falcons assigned to the Wisconsin National Guard, as well as T-38 Talons and L-159Es from Draken International acting as aggressor aircrafts conducting simulated combat missions in a joint-service environment. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Airman 1st Class Jana Somero)

A U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptor assigned to Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska flies over the Alaskan mountain range during Northern Edge 23-1, May 10, 2023. NE 23-1 allows the U.S. Joint Force to more fully develop Joint All-Domain Operations (JADO) concepts through exercises and experimentation for application in operations around the world. (U.S. Air Force photo by 2nd Lt. Ariana Wilkinson)

-If reported S-500 specs are accurate, its long-range networking and sensor fusion could complicate NATO air operations by extending monitoring and cueing across large areas, potentially reducing the advantage created by hundreds of NATO F-35s.

-Reports of potential S-500 exports to China and India raise additional concerns about technology diffusion, coordination, and escalation risk.

Russia’s S-500 Claims a 370-Mile Reach—Can It Really Track Stealth Jets Like the F-35?

Russia insists that its advanced S-400 surface-to-air missile system—and now the new S-500—has been upgraded to track and defeat stealth aircraft.

The claim is as ambitious as it is unverified.

Russia’s S-500 air defenses do appear to present a threat to U.S. and allied fighter jets. The systems integrate advanced digital multi-node networking and employ precise, long-range radar.

These attributes enable the system to detect aircraft at greater distances on a broader range of frequencies.

However, detecting the presence of a stealth jet with lower-frequency surveillance radar is different from establishing a target track on a moving stealth jet with engagement radar.

Advanced S-500s might be able to detect that something is there, but they are less likely to be able to track and engage a stealth jet.

S-500 vs U.S. 5th-Gen Stealth (F-22, F-35 and Even B-21 Raider Bomber)

If the available specs of the S-500 are accurate, the system is a threat to the West.

RIA Novosti claims the S-500 has an operational range of approximately 370 miles and can detect and counter up to 10 supersonic ballistic-missile warheads flying at speeds of 4.34 miles per second. The most pressing question relates to the S-500’s networking range—the speed and fidelity of digital processing.

Radar nodes must be able to quickly share target track details across distances. Only an integrated system could establish a continuous track on a jet flying at high speeds from one radar’s field of view to another’s.

A U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptor performs a vertical climb during the 2025 Marine Corps Base Hawaii (MCBH) Kaneohe Bay Air Show, at MCBH, Aug. 9, 2025. The Kaneohe Bay Air Show provided an opportunity to showcase the aircraft, equipment, and capabilities of the armed forces in the Indo-Pacific region to the local community. The air show, which contained aerial performances, static displays, demonstrations, and vendors, was designed to celebrate MCBH’s longstanding relationship with the local community. (U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Peter Bannister)

An F-22 Raptor performs an aerial demonstration at Naval Air Station Oceana, Virginia, Sept. 19, 2025. Rapid changes in angle of attack create visible vapor around the aircraft, providing a clear view of its aerodynamic performance. This demonstration highlights the F-22’s advanced maneuvering capabilities, showcasing its speed, agility, and thrust-vectoring performance. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Lauren Cobin)

The F-22 Raptor performs a demonstration at the Mather Airshow in Sacramento, California, Sept. 23, 2018. The P-38 is a World War I-era fighter aircraft that was developed for the Army Air Corps. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Lauren Parsons/Released)

If the S-500 does operate with a range of 370 miles, it might be able to monitor airspace in Eastern Europe, which would complicate NATO efforts to maintain air supremacy in any engagement with Russia.

In the event of a potential war, this could offset Russia’s large air-superiority deficit relative to NATO.

NATO operates hundreds of F-35s positioned to easily acquire and maintain air supremacy against Russia’s small number of Su-57 fifth-generation stealth fighters.

If S-500s could neutralize or at least greatly lessen the U.S. and NATO advantage in the air, it could change the balance during a Russia-NATO conflict.

S-500 to China & India? 

Sputnik has reported that Russia intends to sell the S-500 to China and India—a move that could influence the balance of power for the U.S. and its allies in the Pacific.

A sale of the S-500 could provide China with valuable technological insights. Even if Russia held back the system’s most sensitive features, Chinese engineers could study its radar, sensors, and integration concepts to enhance indigenous systems.

Over time, this could erode the technological edge the United States has worked to maintain in stealth, electronic warfare, and missile defense, especially if Chinese systems are designed specifically to counter U.S. platforms.

By selling the S-500 to China, Moscow would also deepen its military cooperation with Beijing and signal a more coordinated challenge to U.S. global influence.

A tighter Russia-China defense relationship could complicate U.S. strategic planning by forcing the Pentagon to consider simultaneous or linked crises in Europe and Asia.

This would strain U.S. resources and alliance commitments, particularly if adversaries perceived the United States as overstretched.

Finally, the proliferation of advanced air defense systems increases the risk of miscalculation.

As U.S. aircraft and ships operate closer to Chinese-defended areas, the chance of an incident or escalation grows.

About the Author: Kris Osborn 

Kris Osborn is the President of Warrior Maven – Center for Military Modernization. Osborn previously served at the Pentagon as a highly qualified expert in the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army—Acquisition, Logistics & Technology. Osborn has also worked as an anchor and on-air military specialist at national TV networks. He has appeared as a guest military expert on Fox News, MSNBC, The Military Channel, and The History Channel. He also has a Masters Degree in Comparative Literature from Columbia University.