The categorization systems I’m familiar (primarily the US system and the now defunct Soviet system) with would still regard it as a missile, despite the non-explosive function. It’s designed for 77N6 missiles with no explosive payload (77N6-N and 77N6-N-1), but the reporting above says that 77N6 missiles with explosive payloads are being used.
So S-500 is designed to launch non-explosive kill vehicles instead of missiles?
The categorization systems I’m familiar (primarily the US system and the now defunct Soviet system) with would still regard it as a missile, despite the non-explosive function. It’s designed for 77N6 missiles with no explosive payload (77N6-N and 77N6-N-1), but the reporting above says that 77N6 missiles with explosive payloads are being used.