UK's FrankenSAM, made from retired RAF fighter technology, is reborn as Ukraine’s Russian drone killer

**Ukraine Boosts Air Defenses with “FrankenSAM” Systems**

In a bid to counter the relentless Russian missile and drone attacks, Ukraine’s air defenses have been bolstered by the introduction of new hybrid systems. Among these additions is the Raven, a British-made truck-mounted air defense system that combines a HMT 600 Supacat vehicle with ASRAAM air-to-air missiles.

**A Hybrid Solution**

The Raven is one product of a broader improvisational approach shared by Ukraine and its allies. This approach involves combining mismatched military components into usable systems, a strategy initiated by the UK in 2022 and followed by the US under its FrankenSAM program in 2023. Ukraine has been running similar projects in parallel.

**”FrankenSAM” Arsenal**

The Raven is not an isolated system; it’s part of a broader “FrankenSAM” arsenal that showcases Ukraine’s innovative approach to air defense. Other variants include Soviet-era vehicles firing old US infrared and radar-guided air-to-air missiles, as well as Soviet platforms retooled to launch air-to-air missiles from the ground.

**Colonel Olly Todd Weighs In**

Royal Marines Colonel Olly Todd, part of Task Force Kindred that focuses on arming Ukraine, has praised the Raven system. “It’s an amazing system which combines the HMT 600 Supacat vehicle with an advanced short-range air-to-air missile, the ASRAAM missile.” He also noted that the Raven is “one of the most effective short-range air-defense systems in use in Ukraine at the moment.”

**Limitations and Remaining Needs**

While the Raven and other FrankenSAM variants offer valuable short-range protection, they have limitations. Long-range missile defense remains a key gap for Ukraine, with only a few conventional SAM batteries available to address this need.

**Conclusion**

The introduction of the Raven and other FrankenSAM systems marks a significant step forward in Ukraine’s efforts to bolster its air defenses against Russian attacks. However, the need for long-range missile defense systems persists, highlighting the ongoing challenges faced by Ukraine in this conflict.