Faced with relentless Russian missile and drone attacks, Ukraine is deploying an unusual but effective air defense system—called the Raven—to protect its cities and military bases. This new weapon is a British-designed hybrid: a medium-sized truck equipped with surplus air-to-air missiles.
The Raven pairs the HMT 600 Supacat vehicle with ASRAAM missiles, originally intended for dogfights. British engineers adapted the system by repurposing missile rails from decommissioned Royal Air Force jets and mounting them on trucks. Camera gimbals, guided by modified video game controllers, aim the missiles at targets.
“The Raven is an incredible system,” said Royal Marines Colonel Olly Todd of Task Force Kindred, the British unit supporting Ukraine’s defense innovation. He called it “one of the most effective short-range air-defense systems in use in Ukraine.”
The ASRAAM missiles, infrared-guided and weighing 200 pounds each, can strike targets up to 15 miles away. The U.K. has delivered eight Ravens to Ukraine, with five more en route. Though operational since 2023, the Raven only recently appeared in official footage.
The Raven is part of a broader effort known informally as “FrankenSAMs”—makeshift air defense systems combining mismatched components from various sources. With Ukraine fielding an eclectic mix of Western and Soviet-era equipment, engineers have had to creatively integrate incompatible radars, missiles, and launchers.
The U.S. launched its own FrankenSAM initiative in 2023, and Ukraine runs a similar domestic program. These efforts have mostly produced short-range systems, as many available air-to-air missiles have limited range. However, Ukraine still urgently needs long-range SAMs—like the U.S. Patriot and European SAMP/T—to counter Russia’s ballistic missile threat.
For now, FrankenSAMs like the Raven fill crucial gaps, taking down drones and aircraft in Ukraine’s contested skies with ingenuity and determination.
