Ukrainian air defense has, for the first time, utilized the FrankenSAM project system against enemy drones, as stated by the Minister of Strategic Industries, Oleksandr Kamyshyn, during a briefing in Davos.
The system successfully intercepted an Iranian kamikaze drone, Shahed, from a distance of 9 kilometers. The minister added that all FrankenSAM project systems are already deployed.
The minister did not specify which particular system was modernized under the FrankenSAM project.
FrankenSAM
As part of the FrankenSAM project (a combination of the words "Frankenstein" and "SAM" – surface-to-air missile), the United States assisted Ukraine in obtaining two types of anti-aircraft missile systems capable of using Western missiles.
In particular, a SAM system capable of firing AIM-9M Sidewinder air-to-air missiles was successfully created. The improvised anti-aircraft system utilized radars and other components provided by U.S. allies to Ukraine.
Through collaboration between American and Ukrainian engineers, a technical solution emerged, enabling the SAM system "Buk" to fire RIM-7 missiles. The United States possesses a large quantity of such surface-to-air missiles, while the availability of original missiles for the "Buk" system is already limited.
The Americans anticipate that FrankenSAM will significantly enhance the capabilities of the Ukrainian air defense system.In total, the Armed Forces of Ukraine plan to modernize 17 launchers, but the American industry is capable of refurbishing only 5 launchers per month.
