ricnunes wrote:usnimitz wrote:S-400 missiles can hit targets 400 miles away. No fighter jets can fire missiles 400 miles away.
Actually the longest range S-400 missile, the 40N6E has a maximum range of 400 kilometers, not miles (there's quite a bit diference between kilometers, land miles and nautical miles).
That's true and we have to remember that max range applies to basically non-maneuverable targets flying straight and level towards the S-400 system. Engaging maneuverable targets cuts down the range a lot in every single SAM system. For example SAMP/T has max range of 120 km against large non-maneuverable aircraft like tankers and cargo aircraft. However against fighters the range is said to be about 30-50 km depending on situation. S-400 will also have shorter range against maneuverable fighter aircraft than the max range.
Besides, most S-400 systems will have only couple of those huge 40N6E missiles and most of the missiles have range below 250 km.
Of course S-400 is really dangerous system for any fighter jet flying inside their reach. VLO fighters with great SA will be quite safe but others have to use long range weapons, a lot of support and/or very dangerous low level flight paths. All these make things more difficult and slow down the air campaign. F-35 really changes things as it will be very difficult for S-400 to detect, track and engage successfully before being targeted itself.