Ukraine is using FrankenSAM surface-to-air missile systems and Hellfire missiles to counter Russian jet-powered drones. Air Force spokesperson Yurii Ihnat said this in an interview with RBC-Ukraine.
According to Ihnat, to combat jet-powered drones Ukraine uses various air defence assets depending on the conditions and capabilities in a particular area.
He explained that aircraft operate in areas where this is possible, while near cities and critical facilities mobile fire groups with man-portable air-defence systems (MANPADS) and other air defence systems are brought in for interception.
Among the countermeasures, Ihnat mentioned FrankenSAM as well as buggy-based launchers armed with laser-guided Hellfire missiles.
In addition, to counter Russian drones Ukraine uses electronic warfare (EW) systems, which jam signals and disrupt the operation of some enemy drones.
The AGM-114 Hellfire is an American guided missile developed primarily to strike ground targets, including armoured vehicles, fortifications and military facilities. It is used by various aviation platforms, including attack helicopters and drones.
FrankenSAM is a programme to create hybrid air defence systems that Ukraine developed jointly with the United States. Its name is derived from the words Frankenstein and SAM (Surface-to-Air Missile).
The aim of the programme is to offset the shortage of Soviet-era anti-aircraft missiles and strengthen Ukraine’s air defences. FrankenSAM systems combine existing Soviet launchers or radars with Western missiles, and in some configurations Western launchers with Soviet systems.
As part of the programme, several configurations were developed for different air defence tasks. In particular, one of them involves integrating American RIM-7 Sea Sparrow missiles with modernised Soviet Buk systems.