Espreso. Global

“FrankenSAM”: US creates Patriot, Soviet SAM hybrid for Ukraine

29 October, 2023 Sunday
18:25

The US has created the “FrankenSAM” system, which combines advanced Western-caliber surface-to-air missiles with converted Soviet-era launchers

client/title.list_title

The NYT reported the information.

Currently, there are two versions of these improvised air defense systems - one combines Soviet Buk launchers and American Sea Sparrow missiles, and the other combines Soviet-era radars and American Sidewinder missiles. 

The outlet noted that these systems have been tested over the past few months at military bases in the United States and will be delivered to Ukraine this fall.

FrankenSAM systems are “contributing to filling critical gaps in Ukraine’s air defenses, and this is the most important challenge that Ukraine faces today," said Laura K. Cooper, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Russia, Ukraine and Eurasia Policy.

Since the beginning of the war, Ukraine has begun to mix offensive weapons - its outdated Soviet-era stockpiles and those it received from the West. The “FrankenSAM” project is trying to do the same for Ukraine's air defense.

On Thursday, October 26, the Biden administration announced another USD 150 million military aid package for Ukraine. It will include additional ammunition for three types of air defense systems, including Sidewinder missiles for one of the “FrankenSAMs.”

The newspaper says that the program was launched late last year when Ukrainian officials asked the allies to help them find missiles for some 60 Buk launchers and Soviet-era radars. Knowing that it would be difficult for the West to obtain Russian-made ammunition for the Buk systems, Ukraine instead offered to convert the launchers to use NATO anti-aircraft missiles. 

Ukrainian MP Oleksandra Ustinova said that Ukraine offered to re-equip the weapons on its own, but American engineers insisted on doing the work. According to Ustinova, the first few launchers and Buk missiles arrived in Ukraine only recently.

She also stated that Ukraine is ready to send 17 more Buk launchers to the US for refurbishment, but American engineers can only produce 5 per month.

The other project, a ground-based launcher that uses Soviet-era radars to fire old US missiles, was presented with the aid package on October 11.

The “FrankenSAM” uses American-made AIM-9M Sidewinder supersonic missiles, which were developed in the 1950s and are used on F-16 and F-18 fighter jets. 

The NYT writes that US defense officials and engineers are also testing what may be the most powerful “FrankenSAM” yet: it consists of Patriot missiles and a launcher that works with older, domestically made Ukrainian radar systems.

A Pentagon official said on Wednesday that the system successfully hit a drone during the test. According to the official, the system is scheduled to be sent to Ukraine this winter.

Tags:
Read also:
  • News
2025, Thursday
15 May
21:40
Melania Trump statue disappears in Slovenia: police launch investigation
21:20
Exclusive
EU Military Committee pledges 2 million artillery shells for Ukraine by end of 2025
21:06
Exclusive
Kherson deploys anti-drone nets over city streets amid Russian UAV threat — local official
20:49
Rubio slams Russian delegation in Istanbul, says breakthrough unlikely
20:27
Ukrainian forces repel Russian flag-raising attempts in Torske, Bahatyr, Donetsk region
20:18
Updated
Russia starts its offensive in all areas along frontline — Zelenskyy
20:09
U.S. intel: Russia’s cruise, hypersonic missile stockpiles reflect deepening defense industry decline
19:44
Ukraine to receive all promised F-16s by end of 2025 — Norway's Defense Ministry
19:20
Russia shows no willingness to end war in Ukraine — Zelenskyy
19:01
Exclusive
Trump moves to shield Putin from looming defeat in Ukraine, Polish lawmaker says
18:40
Ukraine reports 73 frontline clashes, repels 19 Russian attacks in Pokrovsk sector
18:22
OPINION
Putin feels comfortable in mud
18:00
Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant running on single power line amid daily explosions — IAEA
17:42
'Nothing is going to happen until I meet Putin': Trump on ending war in Ukraine
17:26
Updated
Moscow open to compromises in Istanbul talks, Putin’s aide says
17:23
Russia failing to seize opportunity offered by Zelenskyy — Rutte on Istanbul talks
17:07
Updated
Ukraine will send delegation to Russia talks in Istanbul
16:56
Exclusive
Russia won't have enough forces to turn tide in summer breakthrough — Defense Express
16:42
Updated
Zelenskyy meets Erdoğan in Ankara
16:29
OPINION
U.S. turns back to its European allies
15:56
New Pope Leo XIV receives list of Ukrainian POWs
15:19
OPINION
Paradoxes behind Istanbul talks
14:58
Zelenskyy calls Russian delegation "phony", Moscow responds with insults
14:38
Turkey says no Russia-Ukraine meeting scheduled yet
14:23
Estonia claims Russia is ready to shield its "shadow fleet" amid fighter jet incident
13:55
Russia’s war claims lives of 204 Ukrainian artists and 107 media workers
13:15
Kremlin rules out Putin's attendance at Turkey peace talks
13:01
Ukrainian forces improve tactical position in three areas of Donetsk region
12:41
Inside Ukraine’s Istanbul team: Who’s with Zelenskyy for Turkey talks
12:26
OPINION
Istanbul-3 begins: Will Europe appease Putin again?
12:07
Trump ready to join Ukraine-Russia talks in Turkey "if appropriate"
11:55
Review
Are Ukrainian fortifications keeping up with war’s pace and expectations set in Istanbul: Column by Serhiy Zgurets
11:37
Ukraine presents Magura V7 naval drones designed to destroy Russian ships and aircraft
11:19
Exclusive
Russian troops push to break through Ukrainian positions: Rubizh brigade on Kupiansk, Siversk sectors
10:59
Putin holds pre-talks meeting with security officials, Lavrov, and delegation members
10:36
Exclusive
Turkey negotiations could involve Trump and Putin under certain conditions — analyst
10:12
Ukrainian FM meets key European counterparts in Turkey to coordinate next steps
09:52
Top Ukrainian, U.S. officials meet in Turkey to discuss peace efforts
09:32
Russian troop losses in Ukraine near 970,000 since start of invasion
2025, Wednesday
14 May
22:00
Ukrainian foreign minister holds meeting with NATO chief: what was discussed
More news