A UK mobile air defense system that uses an ASRAAM air-to-air missile on a Supacat High Mobility Transporter (HMT) has achieved a strike rate of 90 percent in Ukraine.
A joint team of the UK Ministry of Defence and MBDA speedily readied the system in four months in 2022, including development, trials, and training of Ukrainian crews.
It is particularly effective against low-flying, short-range targets such as helicopters.
“The systems have proven highly effective – with a successful hit rate reported as high as 90% against some Russian air targets,” a UK statement read.
“Ukrainian operators have become adept at their usage and have asked for more missiles to protect their country.”
#Ukraine: One of the first videos showing the Ukrainian Supacat-ASRAAM air defense system in action, shooting down a Russian Shahed kamikaze UAV tonight.
The delivery of this FrankenSAM by the UK 🇬🇧 was first revealed in August. pic.twitter.com/c0kQ4qRYWj
— 🇺🇦 Ukraine Weapons Tracker (@UAWeapons) October 12, 2023
ASRAAM
The infrared homing missile has a high off-boresight seeker that helps it lock onto the heat signature of a target and strike it from various angles.
The capability enables the MBDA missile to detect, track, and engage even targets not directly in front of it.
It features a speed of Mach 3 and has a range of 25 kilometers (16 miles).
From a ground-launched configuration, the missile’s range is likely to be reduced.
Engineering Ingenuity
The system is one of two rapidly improvised British projects for Ukraine where a missile has been mounted on a vehicle.
“The surface launched ASRAAM project has demonstrated the best of British engineering ingenuity and the agility of [Ministry of Defence] and British industry to rapidly deliver very effective yet low-cost solutions to the frontline to meet urgent requirements,” the UK Ministry of Defence stated.
