Ukraine's BUK-M1 'transformed' thanks to ability to launch US RIM-7 air defense missiles

The Ukrainian Air Defense Forces have modified their Buk-M1 air defense systems to be able to launch American RIM-7 missiles. This was confirmed by Yury Ignat, spokesman for the Ukrainian Air Force Command, in an interview with Radio NV.

Mr. Ignat revealed that the Soviet-era Buk-M1 air defense systems, after being modified, can integrate American missiles. Mr. Ignat added that the testing process was successful at a US training facility.

“ We have received positive feedback from our Western partners about the performance of the Buk-M1 air defense missile system, which has been modified to be able to launch American missiles, which enhances our air defense capabilities ,” Ignat said.

Mr. Ignat further explained that the Soviet-made Buk-M1 air defense launchers of Ukraine have been adapted to use RIM-7 Sea Sparrow missiles, “ The Sea Sparrow missile, although having a limited range, is still capable of protecting important infrastructure facilities .”

It is worth noting that in the world, only Russia produces air defense missiles compatible with the Buk-M1 and S-300 systems. Therefore, Ukraine must look for creative ways to combine Soviet and American technology.

Mr. Ignat also emphasized that Ukraine needs to equip a significant number of Buk and HAWK air defense systems, despite their obsolescence. In addition, to solve the shortage of missiles for the Buk-M1 complexes, upgrading this system to fire RIM-7 Sea Sparrow missiles is considered a suitable step.

Adaptation

Earlier reports from the US media also revealed the collaborative efforts of US and Ukrainian engineers. The technical breakthroughs from this cooperation have allowed the BUK-M1 air defense system to use the US RIM-7 missile. In addition, the AIM-9M Sidewinder air-to-air missile has now been modified to equip other Soviet air defense systems. This innovative approach is often referred to in the media as “FrankenSAM”.

During the development of these innovative weapons, radars and other components were generously provided by US and Ukrainian allies. In particular, the RIM-7 Sea Sparrow missile is not a completely new weapon, but is part of previous military aid packages, mainly from the US and Belgium.

American experts expect that with the FrankenSAM program, Ukraine’s air defense system will be supplemented and its defense capabilities will be significantly enhanced. This addition comes at a time when there are predictions of a new wave of Russian attacks with missiles and drones on the energy infrastructure on Ukrainian territory.

RIM-7 Missile

The RIM-7 Sea Sparrow missile is a short-range air defense missile developed by Raytheon and General Dynamic, equipped for the US Navy since the early 1960s. This is a modernized version of the AIM-7 Sparrow air-to-air missile, with the mission of intercepting enemy missiles and anti-ship aircraft.

The goal of the US military leadership at that time was to create a lightweight, highly defensive weapon that could be integrated into existing warship classes and was capable of replacing outdated air defense weapons at that time.

The initial version of the RIM-7 was a fairly simple system, controlled by a manually aimed radar. After being put into service, the missile underwent significant improvements to become a fully automated air defense system, similar to the US Navy's RIM-2 Terrier missile.

During the 1970s and 1980s, the RIM-7 Sea Sparrow was continuously improved, and simultaneously with the AIM-7 Sparrow. As the AIM-7 air-to-air missile transitioned to the AIM-120 AMRAAM, the RIM-7 Sea Sparrow was significantly upgraded to improve its interception capabilities.

Today's RIM-7 Sea Sparrow may resemble the AIM-7 in appearance but is larger, faster, equipped with new target seekers, and capable of being launched from vertical launch tubes on modern warships.

Although 50 years old, the RIM-7 Sea Sparrow missile still plays an important role in the US Navy's air defense system, especially effective in intercepting short- and medium-range enemy cruise missiles.

Specifications

The RIM-7 Sea Sparrow missile weighs about 510 kg, is about 3.65 meters long, has a cylindrical body with a diameter of about 203 mm, can destroy targets at a distance of 1.5 to 30 km in an altitude range of 6 m to 15,240 m and has a speed of more than Mach 3.5. The missile is propelled by a solid fuel engine and provides thrust throughout its flight.

The warhead of the RIM-7 Sea Sparrow missile is a high explosive fragmentation type, designed to attack and destroy aerial targets. The missile has an effective range of about 27 km, allowing it to attack targets at medium to long distances.

Notably, the US Navy also has the RIM-162 ESSM missile, which is a further development of the RIM-7 Sea Sparrow, and can destroy targets at a distance of up to 50 km. It is not impossible that this is the actual interceptor missile that will be integrated into Ukraine's Buk-M1 launcher.

Le Hung (Source: Bulgarian Military)

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