Updated Pantsir system could be equipped with hypersonic missiles
MOSCOW. March 8 (Interfax) - The Pantsir anti-aircraft missile and artillery system's range could increase to 60 kilometers owing to the use of hypersonic missiles, a source in the defense industry told Interfax.
"Work to create hypersonic missiles for the Pantsir system is currently underway. The system's range is expected to reach 50-60 kilometers," the source said.
In 2013, High Precision Systems' General Director Alexander Denisov said that the holding was "working on hypersonic [weapons] among other things." "[Work] is quite successful," Denisov said.
The system's range is currently about 20 kilometers. According to the Russian Defense Ministry, forces should begin receiving an upgraded version of the system, Pantsir-SM, since 2018. The range of the upgraded version is 40 kilometers.
The Pantsir-S1 system was developed by the Tula-based Shipunov Instrument Design Bureau of High-Precision Systems. It can destroy any type of modern and prospective means of air attacks at distances of up to 20 kilometers and the altitude of up to 15 kilometers. The anti-aircraft missile 57E6 travels at a speed of 1,300 meters per second. It may simultaneously lock four targets and destroy airborne, ground and seaborne weapons and personnel. The system may operate in motion, from a firing position, or during brief stops.
Russian troops use the Pantsir-S systems in Syria.