ASRAAM-Supacat Franken-SAM Surfaces In Ukraine
A short video featuring an ASRAAM-Supacat ‘Franken-SAM’ surfaced online early on 8 February. Ukrainian tiktok and Telegram channels shared what is likely the first daylight footage of one of the UK-developed and supplied ad-hoc air defense systems.
The system can be seen parked by the side of a road and was filmed from a passing vehicle. The date and location the video was filmed is unknown. The launcher appears to have two AIM-132 missiles loaded with the launcher ramp raised in the ready position. It is difficult to make out but the cab has seemingly been fitted with a protective screen to guard against drone attack. Also visible is what appears to be a sensor turret mounted on a pylon, this is possibly an electro-optical/infrared sensor used for targeting.
The UK-developed system is one of several so-called Franken-SAMs produced by Ukraine’s allies. They are part of an effort to affordably and quickly bolster Ukraine’s air defenses.
A previous video, shared in October 2023, gave a glimpse of AIM-132 Advanced Short-Range Air-to-Air Missile (ASRAAM) air-to-air missiles being launched at night from one of the specially adapted Supacat 6×6 High Mobility Transporters.
The AIM-132 missiles and the vehicles launching them were provided by the UK in the summer of 2023. The ASRAAM uses infrared homing and can lock onto its target after launch. It has an air-launched range of more than 25km but this is likely shorter when used in a ground launched role. The system may be used in conjunction with radar systems which feed the missile target data. A key feature of the ASRAAM is its ability to lock-on after launch, theoretically allowing it to be vectored onto a target in the air before it begins IR homing.
The system, however, isn’t ideal with limited ready-to-fire capacity on the launcher ramp, with just two rails, and no protection for the missiles themselves, from either the elements or from potential fragmentation or impact damage if attacked.
The ad-hoc air defense system first saw action in Ukraine in August 2023 and represents an ingenious improvisation utilising a highly capable missile in an air defense role it was never envisaged in.
It is unclear how many of the systems have been assembled but in late 2023, it was reported that the UK had supplied “a handful” of the missile-equipped Supacat trucks. They were believed to be in use in the Kyiv region, defending key infrastructure, against Shahed-136/Geran-2 long-range loitering munitions.
In December 2023, the UK Ministry of Defence announced that a further 200 ASRAAMs would be provided to Ukraine and that the systems in-country had achieved a “successful hit rate reported as high as 90% against some Russian air targets.”