Ukraine's FrankenSAM: Old tech meets western missiles

According to the portal Defense Express, the Ukrainian Air Force shared their experiences for the first time with using modified Buk-M1 systems under the FrankenSAM programme. This programme allows for the transformation of old Soviet missile systems into units capable of using Western missiles.

The Ukrainians admit that they have adapted their systems to launch RIM-7 Sea Sparrow missiles. Although these are somewhat less effective than the original Soviet 9M38 missiles for the Buk-M1 systems, they are better than nothing.

The Ukrainians report that the maximum range of the RIM-7 Sea Sparrow missiles reaches about 20 kilometres, whereas for the 9M38 missiles it was approximately 30 kilometres. The American missiles also have a smaller warhead weighing roughly 39 kilogrammes compared to 70 kilogrammes for the 9M38. However, they are readily available compared to the post-Soviet ones, whose stockpiles have been exhausted, and their only producer worldwide is Russia.

The Ukrainians acknowledge that their Buk-M1, modernised under the FrankenSAM programme, works effectively against drones and cruise missiles. The crew also aims to target a Russian Sukhoi aircraft, but due to the limited range, organising an anti-aircraft ambush is very challenging.

The biggest challenge was likely synchronising the Buk fire control radar with the semi-active homing heads of the RIM-7 Sea Sparrow missiles based on the AIM-7 Sparrow so that they could work together. Most likely, the radar was modified to emit radar waves at a frequency visible to the receiver used in the American missiles.

These are an older type that home in on radar waves reflected off the target, which are emitted by the system's fire control radar. This means the target must be illuminated by the radar until the moment of impact, limiting the ability to engage multiple targets simultaneously.