IIn the fall of 2023, the term “FrankenSAM” first appeared in Pentagon circles. A reworking of the so-called Frankenstein surface-to-air missile, as a combination of Western and Eastern weapons technology.
With this combination, Ukraine wants to defend itself against future Russian air attacks. In contrast to the novel and film Frankenstein's monster, which scientist Victor Frankenstein created from corpse parts, Franken Sam combines operational technology.
According to media reports and information from Ukrainian representatives at the World Economic Forum in Davos, a „FrankenSAM” aircraft has now been successfully shot down for the first time against a low-cost Iranian-made Shahed drone launched by Russia at a distance of nine kilometers. the first.
Experts consider „FrankenSAM” one of the many creative ideas of Ukrainian military strategists for defense against Russia's aggressive war. In a relatively short period of time, the Ukrainians were able to launch Western Storm Shadow cruise missiles from Great Britain from Ukrainian-owned Russian Su-24M fighter jets. This was also an unimaginable technological combination between the West and the East until then.
“FrankenSAM” is also a great mix. The American guided missiles are launched from launch systems and radar technology from the former Soviet era, which is in the hands of Ukraine.
Specifically, the American AIM-9M supersonic missile, which was originally developed for air combat as a guided missile to shoot down fighter aircraft, is now being launched from the ground. In the second alternative, according to information received from “The New York TimesUS RIM 7 Sea Sparrow guided missiles, which were originally developed to shoot down ships, were also launched.
The „FrankenSAM” missile was allegedly tested at US bases
However, any guided missile is only as good as the reconnaissance radar's ability to detect the target. Here comes the role of Russian technology. The radar and launcher of the BUK anti-aircraft missile system, developed in the former Soviet Union, are integrated with American guided missiles.
The BUK missile system became known to the general public nearly ten years ago when a Malaysia Airlines Boeing wide-body plane (flight MH17) was shot down over Russian-occupied territory of Ukraine. 298 people died.
It appears that „FrankenSAM” was tested at US bases in the fall. In December, the United States and Ukraine signed a declaration on joint production of weapons.
„FrankenSAM” was developed jointly by the Pentagon, the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of Strategic Industries, according to military experts. The Pentagon also got a detailed look at Russian technology.
Ukrainian Minister of Strategic Industry Oleksandr Kamyshin noted that the full development of Ukrainian air defense will take years.
Therefore, combining Soviet components with Western missiles is a quick solution. Five „FrankenSAM” anti-aircraft systems appear to be already in use. A variant of the US Patriot guided missile is also being prepared.
For the arms industry, this is also another example of how the Ukrainian war has become a testing ground for new weapons applications and opening up sales markets.
The idea of launching an advanced air-to-air combat guided missile from the ground is not new anyway. The Iris T guided missile developed by the Diehl group is launched by the German armed forces or, for example, Saudi Arabia by Eurofighter fighter jets, and is now used by Ukraine in a variant to defend against Russian drones from the ground. „FrankenSAM” is now completing the Iris-T anti-aircraft defense system in Ukraine.
