UNITED24 Media
Russian air-defense firm Almaz-Antey appears to be reviving elements of the long-stalled 42S6 “Morpheus” project—this time around with a fixed, containerized vertical-launch module that could carry 16 missiles, according to newly circulated images and expert commentary, according to Ukrainian defense media Defense Express on October 20.
The new launcher is shown as a self-contained shipping-style unit with room for a rack of missiles and an internal generator and remote-control electronics.
That configuration suggests a stationary, remotely managed launcher that could be moved on a truck if needed but would normally sit in place—a model closer in concept to dispersed NASAMS-type architectures than to a self-contained mobile battery.
Morpheus itself dates back to 2007 and was intended as a short-range system to shield higher-tier systems like the S-400 and S-500.
Early plans envisioned vehicles on the BAZ-69092 chassis, an array radar, command vehicles and a 24-round launcher with its own small radar and optical targeting gear. The program fell silent years ago and was widely believed frozen or shelved.
Now, Defense Express notes, renewed interest makes sense given the explosive rise of loitering strike drones since 2022 and the resulting demand for cheaper, scalable point-defense solutions.
