The F-35 is considered vulnerable to detection by the S-500 Prometheus.

Defense industry news on December 24th: F-35 deemed vulnerable to detection by S-500 Prometheus; weaponry details revealed on Trump-class battleships.

The F-35 is considered vulnerable to detection by the S-500 Prometheus.

Russia's S-500 Prometheus air defense missile system is capable of detecting the fifth-generation F-35 Lightning II stealth fighter jet at long range. The Israeli newspaper Jerusalem Post has assessed the combat capabilities of this air defense missile system in dealing with stealth targets.

" Sources indicate that the S-500 system may possess new detection capabilities, allowing it to track F-35 stealth fighter jets from distances of hundreds of kilometers," the Jerusalem Post reported.

S-500 Prometheus system. Photo: RIAN

The Jerusalem Post emphasizes that tracking a detected target with limited visibility and aiming weapons at it is extremely difficult. However, the S-500 is equipped with many technologies that help to 'eliminate' the stealth capabilities of the aircraft.

In early December 2025, the National Security Journal wrote that the S-500 Prometheus system could be considered a major threat to the F-35 and B-21 Raider strategic stealth bombers.

The S-500, developed by Almaz-Antey Corporation, is designed to counter a very wide range of targets: fighter aircraft, cruise missiles, ballistic missiles, and even some targets operating in low orbits. The system is believed to utilize various interceptor missiles, including very long-range missiles for aerodynamic targets and specialized high-speed missiles for intercepting ballistic targets or targets flying at extremely high altitudes.

Open-source assessments suggest that the S-500's range can reach 500-600km against some targets, while its interception ceiling far exceeds traditional air defense systems, potentially approaching or surpassing 100km. The radar architecture includes a long-range surveillance radar combined with a dedicated fire control radar, allowing for tracking and targeting high-speed targets with short reaction times. Some of the S-500's interceptor missiles are believed to employ direct interception technology, reflecting a trend toward increased accuracy in missile defense.

In terms of combat operations, the S-500 is not a battlefield defense system but a strategic defense asset, prioritizing the protection of command centers, critical infrastructure, major air bases, and nuclear deterrence components. Even with limited numbers, the S-500 can force the enemy to adjust their attack plans, increasing the use of low-flying aircraft, decoys, saturation attacks, and air defense suppression.

Weaponry details revealed on Trump-class battleships

The Trump-class battleships intended for the U.S. Navy could be equipped with laser weapons and ship-launched cruise missiles (SLCM-N) carrying nuclear warheads.

The future battleship of the US Navy will be approximately 250 meters long and have a displacement of over 35,000 tons. It will be equipped with 12 SLCM-N missile launchers. In addition, these will be supplemented by 128 Mk 41 vertical launch systems, capable of carrying SM-3 and SM-6 surface-to-air missiles, as well as Tomahawk cruise missiles.

The US President introduces the new class of battleships. Photo: Getty.

The warship will be equipped with three advanced hypervelocity projectile (HVP) guns. The battleship will also have a pair of laser weapons with a power of 300 or 600 kilowatts.

According to US President Donald Trump, building each ship will take between 2 and 2.5 years, and the series will include up to 25 ships. The lead battleship is expected to be named BBG-1 Defiant.

Earlier, Trump announced the launch of a new warship construction program. These new ships will be part of a U.S. Navy modernization initiative, which is facing cost overruns and delays.

Sweden integrates Taurus missiles onto Gripen fighter jets.

According to Major General Jonas Wikman, Commander of the Swedish Air Force, the force has decided to expedite the installation of the Taurus KEPD-350 long-range cruise missile onto the JAS 39 Gripen C/D fighter aircraft.

Mr. Vikman declined to provide a timeframe for the start of integrated weapons deployment, citing the "sensitivity" of the issue.

Previously, according to official documents, the equipping of the Gripen aircraft with Taurus missiles was expected to be completed by 2028. This work is being carried out in cooperation with the Swedish Defence Equipment Agency.

JAS 39 Gripen fighter jet. Photo: Defense News

The Taurus KEPD-350 is a product of Taurus Systems GmbH, a German-Swedish joint venture between MBDA Deutschland and Saab. According to the company, this weapon can carry a 481kg warhead and is designed to destroy hardened and deeply buried targets at a range of over 500km.

General Wikman believes that the integration of the Taurus KEPD-350 missile is a significant development for the Swedish Air Force. Previously, the country simply lacked a complete tool for striking targets behind enemy lines, but that has all changed with the Taurus missile.

Source: https://congthuong.vn/f-35-bi-danh-gia-de-bi-phat-hien-boi-s-500-prometheus-436360.html