New British anti-aircraft system: 'Efficiency at 90 percent' against Russian targets
The British anti-aircraft fabrications made their debut in Ukraine in the latter half of 2023 and have been performing exceedingly well. Its origins likely resemble those of the company, Accuracy International. Originating out of Britain, this company, renowned for producing some of the world's best rifles, started off with a group of three enthusiasts operating out of a shed.
When it comes to the anti-aircraft system employed in Ukraine, which is yet to have an official name, it is possible that experts from the British Ministry of Defence, in collaboration with engineers from MBDA and Airbus, successfully adapted parts from aircraft like the Eurofighter for mounting on a Supacat HMT truck chassis.
British anti-aircraft fabrication – a nightmare for Russian pilots and drones
The system's structure incorporates a launcher designed with a pair of pylons borrowed from the Eurofighter and mounted on a Supacat HMT truck chassis. These pylons enable the use of ASRAAM missiles, their initial guidance to detected targets could be provided by a radar or an optoelectronic head with the IRST PIRATE system (Passive Infra-Red Airborne Track Equipment) that is situated just behind the cabin. Regrettably, the quality of the recording is subpar, making identification challenging.
With this arrangement, they engineered a system that potentially has a range of about 20 kilometers (rounded from 12.43 miles). ASRAAM missiles, once fired at high altitudes where the air is considerably thinner, can reach up to an impressive 50 kilometers (rounded from 31.07 miles). The developmental journey of the ASRAAM missile in the 90s was fairly unusual as it offered a range that competed with short-range missiles, such as the AIM-9 Sidewinder, and medium-range missiles, like the AIM-120 AMRAAM.
ASRAAM utilizes a sophisticated infrared head (known as IIR – Imaging Infrared) that identifies the thermal image of the target rather than merely the heat point. As a result, it cannot be misled by self-defence mechanisms such as flares. Furthermore, the missile is outfitted with a communication link that facilitates trajectory correction or retargeting after launch.
British improvisations, such as this system, proficiently supplement anti-aircraft gun systems like the Gepard or Skynex, compounding their effectiveness in line with the NASAMS or IRIS-T SLS systems.
