the Russians destroyed a powerful British missile system for the first time

The Russian military reportedly destroyed the system with the Lancet drone.

Information about Ukraine’s use of advanced short-range air-to-air missiles Advanced Short Range Air-to-Air MissileASRAAM) AIM-132 ground launch systems, was first made public last August.

The Franken-SAM is a missile launch system mounted on a SupaCat chassis for two AIM-132 missiles.

The system is one of two improvised British designs for Ukraine that adapt an air-launched missile to land-based launchers.

The AIM-132 missile itself is a short-range air-to-air missile manufactured by the British MBDA, but due to its high enough energy, it can also be used as an anti-aircraft missile. The missile accelerates to a speed of more than Mach 3 and has a range of more than 25 km when launched from an aircraft.

The British-developed Franken-SAM has a missile guidance system and an electronic optical system. The improvised anti-aircraft defense system is designed to effectively combat helicopters, cruise missiles and drones.

The missile’s infrared homing head and optical system provided autonomous operation capabilities, enhancing Ukraine’s defense capabilities against drone kamikaze and short-range threats.

The destruction of this improvised mobile missile system is a tactical defeat for Ukraine, as it was an operational interceptor that could be used to counter Russian threats, according to the Defense Blog.