Anti-aircraft missiles RIM-7 Sea Sparrow for Ukraine

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Anti-aircraft missiles RIM-7 Sea Sparrow for Ukraine
RIM-7 missiles on a transport trolley


On January 6, the US Department of Defense announced the allocation of another package of military-technical assistance to Ukraine. It includes various models of armored vehicles, artillery systems, infantry weapons, etc. In addition, for the first time, it was decided to provide RIM-7 Sea Sparrow anti-aircraft guided missiles. It is reported that such ammunition is planned to be used on modified Soviet-style anti-aircraft missile systems.



In a new package


Various information about the next package of American aid began to appear at the end of December. Officials mentioned the imminent release of new aid, and also pointed to certain samples for delivery. Some details of future deliveries through unnamed persons got into the press. Some of this information was of some interest.

In early January, the American media reported on the Pentagon's readiness to transfer RIM-7 Sea Sparrow anti-aircraft missiles to the Kyiv regime. Such weapons are considered as another means designed to strengthen the air defense of Ukrainian formations.

On January 5, the Politico edition revealed curious technical details of the future delivery. It recalled that the RIM-7 SAM is intended for ship and land air defense systems, but Ukraine does not have such systems. Two unnamed sources familiar with the situation told the publication that the RIM-7 missiles are planned to be used in conjunction with the Buk air defense system that Ukraine has. A number of such complexes will be finalized for the installation and use of foreign-style missiles.

Soon, on January 6, the Pentagon officially announced a new aid package. Its full composition was disclosed, as well as the volumes of some deliveries. In particular, they confirmed their intention to send Sea Sparrow missiles to Ukraine. At the same time, the number of such products in open publications is not reported. The exact timing of the start of deliveries also remains unknown.


Loading the launcher

Official statements do not mention how exactly the Kyiv regime will use foreign-style missiles. Press information about the adaptation of old-type cash air defense systems has not yet been confirmed, but has not been refuted either. Accordingly, the timing of the implementation of such a refinement is also unknown.

It cannot be ruled out that work on the integration of the American missile defense system and Ukrainian air defense systems has already been completed. They may have been performed in the recent past without prior announcement. In addition, the Pentagon and Kyiv, in theory, could use one of the existing projects previously proposed by foreign industry. In this case, air defense systems with new missiles can be on duty within the next few weeks.

At sea and on land


The RIM-7 Sea Sparrow short-range anti-aircraft missile has been developed by the American company Raytheon since the late sixties. The goal of the project was to adapt aviation missiles AIM-7 for use on offshore platforms and the creation on its basis of a full-fledged shipborne air defense system. The project was completed successfully, and in the mid-seventies, the air defense system with the Sea Sparrow missile (“Sea Sparrow” - by analogy with the AIM-7 Sparrow) began to enter service with the fleets of the United States and other countries.

In the future, the development companies have repeatedly upgraded the missile and the anti-aircraft complex as a whole. Tactical and technical characteristics, reliability, etc. gradually increased. In addition, the range of combat missions to be solved was expanding. Thus, missiles were constantly being refined to take into account new threats, mainly in the form of anti-ship missiles appearing abroad.

In the mid-nineties, the development of RIM-7 led to the appearance of the RIM-162 ESSM SAM and SAM. Such an air defense system was installed on new American and foreign ships and became a replacement for the RIM-7. At the same time, the old complexes were not abandoned. They still remain in operation, but are gradually giving way to new ESSMs.


Sea Sparrow missile launch

Also in the nineties, the land-based version of the Sea Sparrow air defense system entered service with individual countries. In this case, the launcher and other means were mounted on a trailer. Such a complex was intended for long-term duty in position.

At the beginning of the 7s, Raytheon offered potential customers from Eastern Europe an original project for the modernization of the Soviet Kub air defense system. It provided for the replacement of part of the equipment and the introduction of the RIM-XNUMX rocket. Despite the promised benefits, no one was interested in such a project.

of the latter, News it follows that Raytheon or another organization has developed a similar project based on the Buk complex. Probably, the design has already been completed, and now the Ukrainian air defense systems are being rebuilt. Accordingly, the supply of ready-made complexes to the combat zone may be a matter of the near future.

Features and specifications


The RIM-7 Sea Sparrow missile is based on the AIM-7 air-to-air product and generally retains its main features. It is built in a cylindrical body 3,7 m long and 203 mm in diameter with two sets of planes. Starting weight - approx. 230 kg, depending on modification. The layout is traditional. The head compartment accommodates the guidance means, behind them is the warhead, and the tail is given over to the solid-propellant engine.

All variants of the RIM-7 were equipped with a semi-active radar seeker, which required target illumination. A high-explosive fragmentation warhead weighing 40,5 kg with semi-finished rod-type projectiles is used. The warhead is controlled by a fuse with a non-contact target sensor.

[Center]
Sea Sparrow air defense control post type Mk 115

Due to the solid-fuel engine, acceleration to a speed of about 3,5 M is provided. The maximum firing range is 20 km. Targets are hit at altitudes of no more than 15 km. It should be noted that in terms of flight characteristics, the RIM-7 ship-based missiles of all versions are inferior to the aviation AIM-7. This is due to the need for self-acceleration and the lack of a starting engine.

The RIM-7 missile was regularly used with the Mk 29 launcher. Such an installation carries eight missiles and has guidance mechanisms in two planes. Also, the carrier ship received various missile system control systems. Both manually operated devices and fully automatic systems were developed and implemented.

According to the project from Raytheon, the RIM-7 missile could be used on the Kub air defense system. This required the completion of the launcher and the installation of new control devices. In addition, it was proposed to radically rebuild the radio equipment of the complex - for full compatibility with the rocket.

With limited potential


The inclusion of RIM-7 Sea Sparrow missiles in the next aid package indicates that the United States intends to continue to help the Kyiv regime build its air defense. However, such assistance has a specific form. Once again, the Ukrainian "allies" are planning to ship obsolete products that are being removed from service with their own fleet. This is hardly weapon will be useful, but in the current situation, Kyiv will be satisfied with this help.

It should be noted that the shortcomings associated with the age and quality of missiles can be compensated for by their quantity. The US Navy is phasing out the RIM-7 in favor of newer models, and they are freeing up significant stocks of such weapons. This gives at least a theoretical opportunity to arrange mass deliveries of missiles.


Land launcher for RIM-7

Of great interest is information about the use of American missiles on the modified Buk complexes. Such a "hybrid" air defense system will have a number of interesting features of various kinds. So, with its help, the United States and Ukraine will be able to transfer ship-based missiles to land while maintaining the main characteristics and capabilities. In addition, the platform used will provide high mobility inherent in military air defense systems.

However, the combat capabilities of such an air defense system will still be limited. Its combat characteristics are determined mainly by the parameters of the rocket, which is not distinguished by novelty and perfection. This means that the Sea Sparrow Buk will not be able to respond to all existing threats. In addition, they will become a priority target for strikes and will probably not even be able to defend themselves.

Doubtful help


The United States is again ready to transfer weapons to Ukraine and is making up the largest and most expensive aid package in recent times. But the bulk of the deliveries should again be not the newest and most advanced samples. In particular, it is planned to ship anti-aircraft missiles that are being decommissioned, moreover, as part of a hastily created complex at the old base.

The creation and upcoming deliveries of such air defense systems can be seen as an attempt to restore Ukrainian air defense. However, such complexes will have limited characteristics and are unlikely to become massive, and they will also have to become targets for strikes. All this suggests that RIM-7 missiles, like other foreign weapons, will not influence the course of events and will not help the current Kyiv regime.
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25 comments
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  1. -5
    17 January 2023 05: 39
    Something I'm not "delighted" with such help. Not feed for the horse, if only the calculations are from the Pentagon's "vacationers"!
    1. +3
      17 January 2023 06: 28
      Quote: andrewkor
      Something I'm not "delighted" with such help. Not feed for the horse, if only the calculations are from the Pentagon's "vacationers"!

      The whole trick is to provide the existing Ukrainian "Buks" with anti-aircraft missiles, which the Armed Forces of Ukraine are already running out of. To use the RIM-7 Sea Sparrow as part of the Soviet-made air defense systems, it will be necessary to refine the radar part and software, which, however, does not require large financial and time costs. The calculations will also be Ukrainian, the guidance principle and operation algorithms remain the same. However, as far as can be judged from open sources, the firing range with American missiles will be somewhat less.
      1. -1
        17 January 2023 09: 05
        Quote: Tucan
        the firing range with American missiles will be somewhat less.

        Since most of the targets are low-altitude KR, and the old beeches do not have AGSN, in any case, shooting is not carried out at the maximum range. Only as far as the radar can illuminate.
  2. fiv
    -1
    17 January 2023 07: 33
    There is no vertical start - that's good. But the rocket and control systems have been refined until recently - this is bad. Guidance is only radar, without an optoelectronic channel and thermal imaging - it’s already easier to live, although there will be more dangers for the Russian Aerospace Forces.
    1. +2
      17 January 2023 10: 17
      Quote: fiv
      There is no vertical start - that's good.

      On the "Buk-M1" for which these missiles are intended, the start is also inclined.
      Quote: fiv
      Guidance is only radar, without an optoelectronic channel and thermal imaging - it’s already easier to live

      Do not confuse pointing and tracking. There is a TOV on Ukrainian SOU 9A310M1, which is confirmed by photographs.
      1. fiv
        -1
        17 January 2023 11: 22
        And what is that pimpka? And it is called strangely - TOV? Does the rocket also have an optical channel? What about the Dome?
        1. +1
          17 January 2023 12: 00
          Quote: fiv
          And what is that pimpka? And it is called strangely - TOV? Does the rocket also have an optical channel? What about the Dome?

          Do you really not understand? Or maybe you're pretending? Or have you been banned on Google?
          1. fiv
            0
            17 January 2023 12: 09
            In Google there is no Ukrainian modification of "Buk", but there is a Soviet one. That's what I'm asking. And they immediately "pretend" to me and threw minuses ... I asked a specialist, it's called. But the specialist with sense, with the arrangement, would put everything on the shelves.
            1. +2
              17 January 2023 13: 04
              You're lying. You didn't even try to look for information. They just decided to parasitize on another person. No one likes parasites. Information about the Buk-M1 with its SOU 9A310M1 is sea, you are just too lazy to look, although all the data is there. If anything, TOV is a television-optical sight.
              1. fiv
                -2
                17 January 2023 13: 11
                It's been a great day! Thank you for your "lying" and for the "parasite". Here's a real thank you. For you, probably, there are no dark places in air defense, you can see right away. Ask me something sometime, how I will trample on you! And sorry, I didn't downvote you.
              2. fiv
                -1
                17 January 2023 13: 42
                The article is here, on VO: "The next modification, the Buk-M1-2, was formally adopted only in 1998", "A television-optical sight and a laser rangefinder were added to the hardware of the 9A310M1-2 SOU", So what does TOV do (did not find an answer)? Based on the name "visor" - they only look through it at the target. Or pretty aborigines.
        2. +5
          17 January 2023 14: 11
          Quote: fiv
          And what is that pimpka? And it is called strangely - TOV? Does the rocket also have an optical channel? What about the Dome?

          Your questions look like outright trolling, but I like to think that I'm wrong and I'll answer them.

          At the same time, I agree with Olya, although she is overly categorical, by and large. All this can be found on your own if you wish.

          TOV is a television-optical sight designed to track an air target in case of suppression of the tracking radar channel, or to ensure the secrecy of the operation of the SNR air defense system. Since the 70s, TOVs have been equipped with Soviet short-range and long-range air defense systems.

          Here, for example, is TOV at the 1S32 missile guidance station of the Krug complex

          Ukraine, in the course of modernizing its mobile air defense systems, equipped them with TOVs of its own design.


          Quote: fiv
          Does the rocket also have an optical channel?

          The missiles of the Buk family of air defense systems have a semi-active radar guidance system for missiles, which is activated after taking the target for tracking. In fairness, it must be said that when tracking through an optical channel, the accuracy is worse than through a radar one. But in a difficult jamming environment, this helps to maintain the performance and survivability of the SNR.
          Quote: fiv
          What about the Dome?

          "Dome" is not involved in missile guidance.
          Quote: fiv
          There is no Ukrainian modification of "Buk" in Google

          There is! You just need to not be lazy and correctly formulate the search query.
          1. fiv
            +1
            17 January 2023 14: 41
            Thank you. That is, when the Buk is on duty, in delicate situations, instead of a radar for OBSERVING the target, TOV is used. And that's all. And TOV is not used in the Buk automation. So yes? And about Google and the troll - when they ask me what I know, and it takes five to ten words, I do not refer to the Great Soviet Encyclopedia, but I tell it. If you have further questions, you can send it if the mood is bad or you forgot.
  3. +3
    17 January 2023 08: 09
    The main thing in this article is that *.... will become the next target for strikes... * . Again, search, identify, bomb. And this is the time. Time is money. Money - minuses in the budget. All this is very sad!
  4. 0
    17 January 2023 09: 33
    Anti-aircraft missiles RIM-7 Sea Sparrow for Ukraine
    . We have already discussed, all the pros and cons have been considered ... the threat is not critical, but real, alas.
  5. +1
    17 January 2023 09: 50
    Ukraine has long been able to convert the R-27 missile into an anti-aircraft missile. There were conversations. Moreover, their production was located in Kyiv.
    1. +4
      17 January 2023 13: 21
      If Ukraine had really prepared for war, it would have been much worse for us. They would not need any NASAMS.
      1. +1
        17 January 2023 15: 25
        Quote from cold wind
        If Ukraine had really prepared for war, it would have been much worse for us. They would not need any NASAMS.

        They would most likely have NASMS or its analogue - moreover, modified, as an adapter between Soviet and NATO systems. In fact, NASAMS can make national-scale air defense, it is a highly scalable and versatile complex.

        But yes, if the Nazis had prepared normally, the NWO would not have taken place on their territory. At least the first three years.
        1. fiv
          +1
          17 January 2023 16: 18
          NWO is not taking place on their territory anyway
          1. +2
            17 January 2023 17: 11
            )))
            It is difficult to follow the borders of Russia, they have been very dynamic lately. But when I last checked, the outskirts of Kyiv were not part of Russia yet.
            1. +4
              17 January 2023 17: 32
              From the point of view of the legislation of the Russian Federation, now the battles are taking place on the territory of Russia. Only rocket and artillery strikes are carried out on the territory of Ukraine.
              1. -1
                17 January 2023 19: 17
                Quote from cold wind
                Only rocket and artillery strikes are carried out on the territory of Ukraine.

                And this is not SVO, is it?
                Quote from cold wind
                From the point of view of the legislation of the Russian Federation, now the battles are taking place on the territory of Russia

                ))
                Let me remind you that this situation settled down on the eighth month of the NWO.

                And no, I didn't mean that.
      2. -2
        21 February 2023 21: 12
        That is, in your opinion, the guarantor lied when he said that Ukraine and NATO want to attack us?
        And all these explosions of sheds on the border in the 20th of February last year - a provocation of the Russian Federation?)
  6. 0
    20 February 2023 20: 57
    From an engineering point of view, the process is not complicated. There is an active launcher and there is a chassis with a motor, designed to transport heavier missiles. Attaching one to the other is not a question
  7. 0
    23 March 2023 12: 19
    the rackets themselves are fecal jelly.

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