Ukrainian FrankenSAM air defense systems went on combat duty
FrankenSAM air defense system in the form of a Buk launcher with AIM-7 missiles. Photo Telegram / "Vestnik Air Defense"
Several months ago it became known that foreign backers were developing a family of anti-aircraft missile systems under the general name FrankenSAM for the Kyiv regime. To date, it has been brought to production and deployment in Ukrainian air defense formations. In addition, the other day they reported the start of combat use and even the successful destruction of an air target.
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Last fall, foreign partners of the Kyiv regime began production of improvised FrankenSAM air defense systems, made on the basis of available Soviet and NATO-style components. By the end of the year, the first samples of such equipment were supposed to arrive in Ukraine. At the same time, they had to prepare crews for the complexes and put them on combat duty.
According to recent reports, the first Frankenstein air defense systems have already become part of the Ukrainian air defense system and complement other systems. In addition, there has already been the first case of combat use of such a complex against a real air target. This kind of information was announced by the Ukrainian Minister of Strategic Industries Alexander Kamyshin at the International Economic Forum in Davos.
According to the minister, on the night of January 17, the FrankenSAM product participated in repelling a strike attack drones "Shahed." He managed to escort, attack and hit one of these air targets. The missile launch range was 9 km. At the same time, no materials about this episode confirming the words of A. Kamyshin were provided.
Ukrainian Buks in 2021. Photo: Wikimedia Commons
In addition, all the most interesting aspects of the announced episode remained unknown. The location of this interception is not specified, the modification of the complex and the type of missile used are not specified, and the parameters of the target at the time of the alleged defeat are also hidden.
The concealment of details, the lack of photo or video materials and the general reputation of the Kyiv regime make it possible to doubt the veracity of the minister’s statement. However, it cannot be completely ruled out that the Ukrainian air defense still managed to hit the flying UAV, but this should not have affected the overall results of the attack.
From project to duty
Work on the FrankenSAM program, judging by the known data, started no later than the first half of 2023. At the same time, they could use developments and ideas borrowed from older projects. Organizations from the United States took the leading role in the work, and the participation of other NATO countries and Ukrainian enterprises was also envisaged. The goal of the program was to create “hybrid” air defense systems based on available and widespread components to quickly replace the losses of Ukrainian air defense.
The existence of the Frankenstein SAM project became known in mid-September from the Beregini hacker group. She was able to obtain classified NATO documents from mid-June, which mentioned work on unusual anti-aircraft weapons. Later, due to the loss of secrecy, information about new air defense systems began to appear in the foreign press.
Launch of a RIM-7 missile by a ship-based air defense system. Photo by US Department of Defense
According to known data, four variants of air defense systems of different appearance and composition, based on components of different origins, were in development. By the fall of last year, the first of them passed tests, and soon production began to send the equipment to Ukraine. At the beginning of December, they announced their intention to establish the assembly of “hybrid” air defense systems at Ukrainian production facilities - to increase the overall production rate and simplify logistics.
From the very beginning, FrankenSAM products of the main types were planned to be equipped with American-made air-to-air missiles. The supply of such products to the Kyiv regime began in the middle of last year, and they were included in several aid packages. The Pentagon and the White House immediately openly stated that the missiles were intended for use in air defense. At the same time, the existence of the Frankenstein air defense system program was not officially reported at that time.
From recent reports it follows that in the last months of last year, Ukrainian air defense formations actually received unusual air defense systems of a new type and mastered them. Apparently, the complexes entered combat duty in the new year 2024. At the same time, the number of such equipment in service, their locations, etc. were not officially announced for security reasons.
It can be assumed that FrankenSAM is not yet widespread. Last fall, Washington reported that American industry could assemble no more than 5 such air defense systems per month. The contract available at that time provided for the production of only 17 units. Due to production at Ukrainian facilities, they wanted to increase the pace and total number of assembled products. It is unknown whether it was possible to launch it, or whether the production facilities fell under forced demilitarization.
The NASAMS complex uses the AIM-9 rocket. Kongsberg Photos
Technical aspects
According to published documents, within the framework of the FrankenSAM program, at least 3-4 variants of air defense systems of different compositions, built on the basis of components of different origins, were proposed. All projects provide for the joint use of Soviet materiel remaining with Ukrainian formations, and some NATO-style products. The differences between the projects lie in the composition of the components and the way they are combined.
The first to gain fame was the air defense system based on the Soviet Buk and the American AIM-7 / RIM-7 Sparrow missile. The existing launcher was modified to be compatible with the new ammunition, and some of the on-board electronics were replaced. A complex of this composition can be capable of hitting air targets at ranges of no more than 30-40 km. At the same time, it is capable of operating within the existing control contours of Ukrainian formations built on Soviet and NATO components.
Also, based on the Buk, two similar complexes with other missiles were built. One of them should use the AIM-9 Sidewinder air-to-air product, but the start aviation missiles from a ground platform seriously reduces its flight characteristics and combat capabilities. The range of such an air defense system is unlikely to exceed 15-20 km.
Another version of the “Frankenstein air defense system” should use MIM-23 HAWK missiles. They are initially anti-aircraft weapons, and their placement on the new platform does not degrade the characteristics. The range of such a “hybrid” should exceed 40-45 km. At the same time, the tracked chassis of the Buk makes the complex self-propelled, which distinguishes it favorably from the American Hawk.
MIM-23 HAWK launcher. Photo by US Department of Defense
The fourth version of FrankenSAM, mentioned in the public press, is radically different from the others. This project is based on the American Patriot system and uses all its main components, with the exception of the standard radar. Instead of an expensive and complex American-made radar, it is proposed to use a cheaper radar with similar characteristics, available to Ukrainian formations.
In theory, Ukrainian air defense can receive any version of the Frankenstein air defense system. The Kiev regime has a certain stock of Buk complexes for restructuring, and foreign patrons are transferring to it the corresponding aviation and anti-aircraft missiles. There is also a fundamental possibility of rebuilding the transferred Patriots with the replacement of a key component.
Unclear prospects
In just a year, the United States and its NATO partners, as well as the Kiev regime, jointly were able to develop several projects of unusual air defense systems, as well as bring at least one of them to production and combat duty. Now the start of combat use and even the defeat of the first target are reported. It is assumed that “hybrid” systems will be able to positively influence the state of Ukrainian air defense and help it repel Russian attacks.
However, such optimism is unnecessary. Already at the stage of publication of the first data, it became clear that FrankenSAM products of all types have ambiguous features and obvious shortcomings that will seriously limit their real potential and effectiveness of use. In addition, production at the required pace and in acceptable quantities will be a separate problem. And so far there is no reason to believe that the creators of the “Frankenstein SAM” will cope with all the tasks assigned.
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