UK Presents Gravehawk Missile System, Designed for Ukraine
The Gravehawk surface-to-air missile system, designed specifically for Ukraine, has been officially unveiled in the UK.
Forces News published a photo of the new system.
The Gravehawk was reportedly developed from scratch in just 18 months to counter drones, cruise missiles and aircraft. The cost of its development was 6 million pounds.
The project was implemented by a small team at the UK Ministry of Defense, Taskforce Kindred, which is responsible for the supply of British weapons and equipment to Ukraine.
Several British defense companies were involved in the development, but their names remain classified.
The system is based on the Soviet-era R-73 air-to-air missile, adapted for use from a ground launcher.
The R-73 missile, depending on the variant, can engage targets in the front hemisphere at a distance of 20 (RMD-1) to 40 (RMD-2) kilometers, and in the rear hemisphere – up to 300 meters.
These missiles are in service with the Ukrainian Air Force in significant numbers and are also available on the international arms market.
The launcher is housed in a standard ISO transport container, which makes it easy to transport by truck, train or ship. The crew of the complex consists of five people.
The containerized format also allows for concealed transportation and rapid deployment of the Gravehawk to the desired areas.
The roof of the container is equipped with an optical system that uses passive infrared radiation to detect targets. It only needs the heat signature of the aircraft to operate. It is not yet known whether this optical system has a mast.
The use of infrared detection means that the system does not emit a radar signal, making it less vulnerable to detection by the enemy.
Images from the optical system are sent to a command module the size of a briefcase.
It is known that the Armed Forces of Ukraine have already received two such systems, and 15 more are planned to be delivered this year.
The cost of one Gravehawk system is about £1 million, with half of the amount financed by Denmark.
In general, the concept of the new system is similar to the previous product with two AIM-132 ASRAAM missiles on the Supacat HMT chassis.
