A British-designed air defense system developed specifically for Ukraine has successfully intercepted four Russian cruise and guided missiles, including Kh-59 and Kh-101 types, Ukrainian forces said.
The Raven system, assembled from existing UK defense components in a four-month accelerated program, continues to exceed expectations in operational use.
According to a public statement from Ukraine’s Air Command “West,” the Raven system has not only been effective against drones but has also demonstrated the ability to intercept high-speed, low-flying missiles.
“From Raven, everyone mostly expected effective work against drones. And we’ve taken down 24 strike and reconnaissance UAVs. But the launcher in our hands is also shooting down cruise and guided missiles,” said Artem, the launcher commander of a Raven crew operating under the Ukrainian Sich Riflemen Air Defense Regiment.
Artem reported that the Raven system has so far destroyed three Kh-59s and one Kh-101 missile. The first successful missile intercept occurred in November 2023 near a regional capital. “We reported we were ready to work on missiles, and we got the green light,” he said. “From detection to engagement, we had only seconds. But we succeeded—our missile hit the incoming Kh-59.”
The Raven system, also known informally as “Frankensam,” was developed by the Royal Air Force’s Air and Space Warfare Center. It integrates the ASRAAM (Advanced Short Range Air-to-Air Missile) into a vertical launch module mounted on a Supacat HMT-600 military truck. Originally designed for use on fighter aircraft, ASRAAM’s adaptation for ground launch has produced unexpectedly strong results, according to UK defense officials.
Raven entered operational service in Ukraine in the spring of 2023. Since then, it has fired more than 400 missiles at aerial targets, with an estimated success rate of 70%.
In addition to intercepting missiles and drones, Raven systems have also been employed in attempts to engage Russian aircraft. Artem described one such event targeting a Su-34 jet launching glide bombs at Ukrainian infantry.
“The system signaled that a launch was possible. We had permission from higher command. The crew carried out the launches,” he said. The exact outcome of the engagement remains unconfirmed, but Artem noted that Russian aircraft activity decreased in that sector following the attempted intercept.
The ASRAAM, which weighs 88 kilograms and carries a 10-kilogram warhead, can reach speeds of up to Mach 3. When fired from a ground platform, its range is estimated to be up to 15 kilometers. British officials have emphasized that the missile’s performance in a ground-based role has exceeded original expectations.
Raven was conceived as part of a UK-led rapid development program designed to close gaps in Ukraine’s short-range air defense capabilities. Its field success has drawn interest for possible further deployments and adaptation by other NATO-aligned forces seeking mobile solutions against drones and cruise missiles.
Ukrainian operators say Raven’s mobility, speed, and response time give it a critical edge in protecting infrastructure and ground units from low-flying threats. As the war in Ukraine continues, systems like Raven are becoming central to defending against Russia’s expanding use of cruise missiles, loitering munitions, and aerial strikes.
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