FrankenSAM air defense systems will be assembled in Ukraine

Combat vehicle of the Buk air defense system, re-equipped to carry AIM-7 missiles. Photo Telegram / "Vestnik Air Defense"

Not long ago it became known that the United States had developed several anti-aircraft missile systems of a specific design under the general name FrankenSAM for the Kyiv regime. Some products of this family have already been completed, and production of the next ones is expected. As it became known, part of this production is planned to be deployed in Ukraine. For this purpose, the United States is transferring the relevant design and technical documentation to the Kyiv regime.

Design and production

On December 6, the US Department of Commerce opened another conference in Washington on military-technical cooperation and assistance to Ukraine. The main topic of the event was the issue of expanding production and supply of military products. Various ways to solve it have been proposed and considered, both already in use and at the proposal stage.

As part of the conference, the Pentagon and several departments of the Kyiv regime signed an agreement to organize joint production of necessary products and exchange of technical data. It is expected that this document will help quickly meet the current needs of Ukrainian formations, simplify the maintenance and repair of existing samples, etc.

The first measures in the context of co-production have already been taken. The US Department of Defense and its contractors from the American military industry handed over design and technical documentation for the FrankenSAM family of air defense systems to the Kyiv regime. Such equipment is already being produced abroad, and now Ukrainian enterprises will have to master its assembly.

Presumably, the use of HAWK missiles by Ukrainian formations. Photo of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine

It is expected that the simultaneous assembly of air defense systems in Ukraine and abroad will increase the overall rate of production of equipment and speed up the process of restoration and re-equipment of air defense systems. According to the plans of the White House and the Pentagon, these measures will have a positive impact on the defense of the Kyiv regime in the foreseeable future, and will also help restore the economy and infrastructure in the long term.

The technical aspects of the proposed cooperation have not yet been disclosed. It is not specified which versions of the FrankenSAM air defense system will be assembled in Ukraine, and which will continue to be supplied from abroad. At the same time, there are no fundamental differences between complexes of different types, and obtaining the desired results is possible using any suitable production site.

"Frankenstein SAM"

The existence of the FrankenSAM family of air defense systems became known in September from NATO documents obtained by hackers. The goal of this project was to create “hybrid” missile systems based on available Soviet and NATO-style components. The use of products made to different standards was reflected in the funny name of the project - “Frankenstein SAM”.

Later, in October, new information about this project appeared in the American media. This time some technical details were given, the appearance of the resulting ideas was described, etc. At this point, we were talking about four variants of air defense systems with certain features based on different products.

RIM-7 missiles - modification aviation AIM-7 for shipborne air defense systems. Photo by US Department of Defense

The first three versions of the FrankenSAM project provide for a deep modernization of old modifications of the Soviet Buk air defense system with the replacement of some electronic equipment and the introduction of new types of missiles. It is expected that the use of the existing Soviet-style base and NATO/US missiles will simplify the construction and deployment of new air defense systems. It was also planned to simplify and make almost continuous supplies of the required missiles.

The first to gain fame was the Frankenstein SAM variant in the form of modified ground-based assets of the Buk complex with American-made AIM-7 / RIM-7 Sparrow missiles. To use new ammunition on the combat vehicle, the launcher was modified and some new devices were installed. The resulting air defense system should have a launch range of no more than 30-40 km - significantly less than when launching the same missile from an aerial platform. The detection range is determined by the means of illumination used with it.

Two versions of FrankenSAM are built on the same principle for the AIM-9 Sidewinder and MIM-23 HAWK missiles. The complex with the AIM-9 aircraft missile should have a launch range of no more than 15-20 km. The MIM-23 product, originally created for a ground-based air defense system, on a “hybrid” complex retains the same tactical and technical characteristics and can hit targets at ranges of at least 40-45 km.

The AIM-9 rocket as part of the NASAMS complex. Kongsberg Photos

Another version of the “Frankenstein air defense system” is based on the Patriot system and involves replacing a key component. The American air defense system is standardly equipped with an AN/MPQ-65 fire detection and control radar. It is capable of detecting air targets at ranges of up to 130-180 km, depending on their parameters. It was proposed to include in the Patriot FrankenSAM system another radar with similar characteristics, available to Ukrainian formations or produced by local industry. This approach was supposed to seriously reduce the cost of the assembled air defense system.

Production issues

In September-October it became known that the first version of the FrankenSAM air defense system had already reached production. Unnamed American enterprises converted several existing Buk systems to use AIM-7 missiles and sent them to Ukraine. It was reported that it was possible to assemble five such products per month and the intention to produce 17 units. Also at that time, tests were underway of the Buk with AIM-9 missiles and the Patriot system with an unnamed Ukrainian radar. The timing of the completion of these activities and the start of supplies of equipment to Ukraine remained unknown.

Apparently, new versions of the “Frankenstein air defense system” have been tested and are ready for production. To obtain certain benefits, it is proposed to manufacture them in Ukraine. Three of the four known FrankenSAM projects involve the restructuring of the existing Buk air defense system. Probably, the White House and the Pentagon believe that even in its current state, Ukrainian industry is capable of remaking launchers and replacing the electronics of combat vehicles. At the same time, the necessary components, including missiles, will come from abroad.

It is curious that the bulk of FrankenSAM projects involve the use of a ready-made combat vehicle and a replacement missile. Probably the fact is that the Kiev regime still has a sufficient number of air defense systems for conversion, but is experiencing serious difficulties with ammunition for them. The Bukov missiles in Ukrainian arsenals were assembled back in Soviet times, and the shelf life of such products has long expired. The missiles, still serviceable, were partially spent, and the rest were destroyed in warehouses or along with the air defense systems.


In such a situation, the use of foreign missiles is perhaps the only solution. Foreign allies, in theory, are able to provide missiles of various types and regularly replenish their reserves. At the same time, Ukrainian air defense begins to critically depend on imported products, and in addition, only old modifications of ammunition with limited potential are supplied. But this is better than nothing, and in the current situation the Kiev regime has no choice.

Plans and challenges

Thus, the United States and Ukraine are now planning to jointly produce air defense systems and restore air defense. American industry has developed several unusual air defense missile systems at once, and now they are being prepared for production. At the same time, the features of their design should contribute to the speedy start of assembly and obtaining the desired results in the form of the start of supplies to the troops and the restoration of air defense.

However, the future of these processes raises serious doubts. The production of air defense systems on Ukrainian territory will become a priority target for Russian intelligence - and subsequent attacks by any means. In addition, even if it is possible to produce finished products, they will also be subject to forced demilitarization during deployment or during combat use. As a result, FrankenSAM air defense systems, regardless of the model and configuration, as well as the place of assembly, risk remaining in stories as another interesting project from a technical point of view, but useless in practice.

Comments

[Magic archer]

Saloreich still develops and produces weapons. Plus repair and modernization of Soviet equipment. This means our intelligence is not working properly. And as for the complex... In general, it’s not bad at all for them and bad for us. After all, it can use the same Sparrows, of which a huge number have been produced. This means that the mattresses will not clamp the bags. They are much cheaper than more modern models

[alexoff]

Well, they haven’t made a replacement for the C300 yet, but there are more serious installations there. We just need to finally start working on air defense, the plane detected radiation from the radar and is making everyone aware that until the radar breaks into pieces, the nearby troops will not calm down. This way these monsters will end quickly.

[Iris]

Regarding reconnaissance, there are two options. Both are bad. The first is that intelligence, as you put it, is underperforming. Badly. The second option is worse, however. Intelligence reported accurately, but...

[Amateur]

The maximum that can be done in Ukraine is to stick a Chinese sticky sticker with the inscription on the finished product assembled in the USA or Europe:

Zrobleno in Ukraine

[vadim dok]

Approximately as the Russian Federation does when “producing” MOSKVICH vehicles, screwing nameplates onto those supplied from
China cars.

[Alexander Kochurkov]

As if not quite. Roughly speaking, one sea container can accommodate one finished car or two kits for subsequent assembly. At Moskvich, cars are assembled on a conveyor belt from supplied parts, rather than a nameplate being screwed on.

[Fast_mutant]

The maximum that they can do in Ukraine is to stick it on the finished product

The greatest stupidity at this stage is to underestimate the enemy. Yes, in general, at any stage of history.

[Alexander Kochurkov]

So everyone evaluates the enemy - the USA - adequately. But I personally don’t see the point in producing anything in Ukraine. Information about the place of production will quickly leak and fly there, and all the advantages of cheap labor will immediately disappear.

[Nexcom]

It is unlikely that they will be able to produce something like this in Ukraine, taking into account the current situation and the constant capture of human resources for mobilization. Most likely, the Poles or Romanians will start sculpting this for Ukraine.

[Blackmokona]

Quote: Nexcom

It is unlikely that they will be able to produce something like this in Ukraine, taking into account the current situation and the constant capture of human resources for mobilization. Most likely, the Poles or Romanians will start sculpting this for Ukraine.

Japan and Germany, even under heavy bombing that demolished entire cities to the ground, produced weapons until the very end of the war, including the latest advanced weapons. Therefore, there would be a desire

[Nexcom]

Well, you also compared Germany with Japan and Ukraine.....
Especially Japan with their bushido spirit.

[Blackmokona]

Quote: Nexcom

Well, you also compared Germany with Japan and Ukraine.....
Especially Japan with their bushido spirit.

Here on the forum and in our media, Ukraine is constantly being compared to the Reich. And as you can see, they have enough morale to hold out for more than a year against those superior in technology and number of weapons. Moreover, producing weapons in an underground factory requires radically less spirit than running with a machine gun to storm our positions.

[Nexcom]

Ukraine is extremely far from the technological development of Germany.

[Blackmokona]

Quote: Nexcom

Ukraine is extremely far from the technological development of Germany.

It’s as if technological competencies don’t work remotely right now. Ukraine has Internet, Starlink works great even at the front. Not to mention the rear. And they learned to issue instructions even for the last idiots, and to control them very well even during the transfer of production to China. When huge crowds of formerly impoverished Chinese peasants flocked to the high-tech factories that Western countries built.

[Alexey RA]

Quote: BlackMokona

Japan and Germany, even under heavy bombing that demolished entire cities to the ground, produced weapons until the very end of the war, including the latest advanced weapons.

The Japanese military-industrial complex died almost completely at the end of the war. No, there were still some hand-assembled samples, but then there was pitch darkness. Yankee bombings not only destroyed large factories and small businesses, they also forced the dispersal of industry, which caused the breakdown of established ties. And the naval blockade undermined both industry and transport.

May 15. I'm well enough to travel by train. Mitsubishi Plant No. 1, to which I was transferred, was located in Matsumoto, Nagano Prefecture. I went there from Nagoya by train. For the first time I saw the destruction caused by firebombing in Nagoya. The city became a scorched, silent desert. My former factory turned into ghostly piles of twisted iron, scattered by explosions. It's hard to believe all this.

July 22nd. I returned to Mitsubishi Factory No. 1 in Matsumoto, where I received a new position in the design department. Matsumoto remained one of the few cities that have not yet been subjected to air raids. The rest were: Kyoto, Hiroshima, Nara, Nagasaki, Fukuyama, Mito. The company was desperate to establish effective communication between units and workshops scattered across the country after the dispersal program. However, these efforts yielded almost nothing, and things came into a state of complete chaos. Management was ineffective, and we achieved little due to general confusion. Our efforts seemed hopeless. The bombing continued and captured the whole country. Now everyone understood that there was no way to win the war. It was pointless to continue the fight, but we were sucked by a quagmire of warfare.

© Horikoshi Jiro

[cold wind]

By the end of 44, Germany practically stopped producing fuel. Which kept the planes grounded and made it impossible for mechanized units to maneuver. Which led to the collapse of the front and to a practical stop in the production of weapons and ammunition.

[Fast_mutant]

Most likely Poles or Romanians

Romanians hardly... Gypsies (no offense to real gypsies). But the Czechs also in WWII, on their own initiative, developed equipment for the Reich (“Hetzer”). So with such “brothers” as the Bulgarians and Czechs, no enemies are needed.

[Rome]

Nothing will happen in Ukraine! We are talking about repairs and modernization, and this is what they are doing now. The Ukrainian Armed Forces are running out of Soviet missiles, but the air defense systems and launchers remain. The States are proposing to simply upgrade Soviet air defense systems to use Western missiles and that’s it. A completely expected move, quite effective and cheap, considering that the VKS are not capable of defeating old air defense systems!

[While I'm sick]

..........................

[rocket757]

This approach was supposed to seriously reduce the cost of the assembled air defense system.

And this is the main point!!! They will push all the junk from the warehouses to help the Skakuas.
What will come of this... time and statistics will tell.
And so, at first glance... their management concept is completely different and military, mobile, autonomous, self-sufficient... no, this is completely different, object-based air defense as it is.

[rotmistr60]

Now Ukrainian enterprises will have to master its assembly.

Recently, they have begun to place emphasis on production, and in this case, the assembly of weapons on the territory of Ukraine. The Germans are planning to organize the production of armored vehicles, in the United States they are reproaching Ukraine for not being able to organize the production of shells at its own facilities, etc. Are they teaching Kyiv to be more independent and run less with an outstretched hand?

[Blackmokona]

Quote: rotmistr60

Now Ukrainian enterprises will have to master its assembly.

Recently, they have begun to place emphasis on production, and in this case, the assembly of weapons on the territory of Ukraine. The Germans are planning to organize the production of armored vehicles, in the United States they are reproaching Ukraine for not being able to organize the production of shells at its own facilities, etc. Are they teaching Kyiv to be more independent and run less with an outstretched hand?

In Ukraine, salaries are much lower. That's the whole story.

[Dedok]

For this purpose, the United States is transferring to the Kyiv regime the correspondingdesign and technical documentation.

for me the key phrase in this article is this.
in addition to samples, I would like to see the documentation in its “pristine form”: it will help us in promoting electronic warfare, and will also indicate the direction of development of their air defense...

[wladimirjankov]

what kind of documentation is there? our intelligence about the impending sabotage on the Nord Streams was unable to find out anything and that with Minsk we were led by the nose for 8 years and even now we are not aware of where the Nazis are still producing weapons, equipment, UAVs and ammunition.

[alexoff]

Quote: Dedok

I would like to see the documentation in its “pristine form”: it will help us in promoting electronic warfare, and will also indicate the direction of development of their air defense.

So there will be a Soviet radar, like a conventional air defense system, just different missiles

[Dedok]

Quote: rotmistr60

Are they teaching Kyiv to be more independent and run less with an outstretched hand?

no, I think they see “Minsk 3 or 4” ahead (I already forgot how many there were), and at the same time further armament of the outskirts

[Yuras_Belarus]

This is not the first time they are talking about the production (assembly) of weapons in Ukraine. And the point here is not that Ukrainian factories and workshops are still able to produce weapons. They can do something and deliver it to the front, but significantly less than if the production was located in a safe zone, say, abroad, for example in Poland. This solves another problem. In the USA and the EU, problems arose with direct financing of the war through state budgets, so they decided to launch “joint venture” schemes: individual firms and small firms enter into agreements with Kiev for the production of weapons on the territory of Ukraine. For this, they take out loans from banks and financial corporations that depend on beneficiaries of this war, and then with this money they buy a certain amount of weapons, or maybe even produce them themselves and take them to Ukraine along with the rest of the money.

[APASUS]

What is the point in this alteration. Why was this FrankenSAM air defense system born?
This would be if Ukraine had an extra 200 Buk air defense systems, but there are no missiles for it. Some 2-3 installations will not recoup the investment

[Dekabrist]

Some 2-3 installations will not recoup the investment

Don't throw your hats too hard, or you'll fall off the sofa.
The Americans write about the conversion of approximately 60 air defense systems. In the first batch for conversion, Ukraine has already transferred 23 Buk missile launchers.
(https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/28/us/politics/air-defense-ukraine-frankensam.html).

[APASUS]

Quote: Dekabrist

The Americans write about the conversion of approximately 60 air defense systems. In the first batch for conversion, Ukraine has already transferred 23 Buk missile launchers.

Still, I see no reason for optimism in the Ukrainian Armed Forces. Even 60 air defense systems for the entire front line or covering objects is a drop in the ocean

[alexoff]

Where did 60 beeches come from? There were only about a hundred of them and they suffered considerable losses

[AmOgus]

Such news speaks about how “brilliantly” our intelligence works, and that the enemy, in principle, does not even bother transferring production (even a relatively simple reassembly according to instructions) to Ukraine.

By the way, we must pay tribute to Maxim Klimov. He warned about the appearance of FrankenSAMs on one of the broadcasts six months ago.

[wladimirjankov]

The production of air defense systems on Ukrainian territory will become a priority target for Russian intelligence - and subsequent attacks by any means.

This production still needs to be identified. The Nazis still produce missiles for MLRS and 120 shells; 152 mm, mines, cartridges, armored personnel carriers are made and tanks are restored, UAVs are assembled and Western Kyrgyz Republics install many other weapons on their aircraft, and for some reason these have not yet become priority goals for us. Probably the intelligence is not being finalized.

[alexoff]

Quote: wladimirjankov

Probably the intelligence is not being finalized.

Intelligence doesn’t know where the Kharkov armored vehicle is? In theory, factories with UMPC can drop it from our territory, but for some reason this is not being done. I think somewhere between intelligence and the troops there are some lovers of humanism and cunning plans

Quote: wladimirjankov

The Nazis still produce missiles for MLRS and 120 shells; 152 mm, mines, cartridges

In Bulgaria, Serbia and Azerbaijan, they have not produced this before

[75 Sergey]

Well, they’ll just attach a TV launcher to the tracked chassis, run a fleet of wires, and it’s done.
It all started with attaching rockets to airplanes.
It was to be expected.
Let's wait until they blind nuclear weapons and delivery vehicles

[Mikhail Maslov]

There was information that such complexes were tested back in the summer. In Ukraine they will not produce this, and so it is clear, but assembly from components is very easy and fast. If it is possible to establish such complexes not in units, but in divisions, it will be bad for our aviation. They will work " collections "all over the world, as well as tanks, artillery, shells. And they can completely saturate certain areas with "their" air defense. This is exactly what they have been writing in VO for many years. Why large factories, critical logistics, control centers (non-military) continue to work as normal, that is, the war does not affect them?

[While I'm sick]

Oh, who did this......

[Ivanov IV]

“they will gather in Ukraine”...
Well, what surprised you?
There are now almost a dozen Patriots in Ukropia, which the Ukrops brought disassembled in suitcases on passenger buses. On the issue of authenticity, please contact OUR Ingenious Headquarters.
If you believe OURS, then almost the entire territory of Dill is one assembly and screwdriver shop.
And the argument is ironclad:
We cannot (WE), by any means, bomb or blow up communications to Dill from the Jewish Opa.
This is how many unemployed there will be in Dill!!!!!