Targeting russian Buk defenses: Ukraine's precision GMLRS strikes
The Ukrainians are systematically working to diminish the number of key self-propelled anti-aircraft systems. They use GMLRS rockets received from the United States to eliminate them. Here we present their performance.
3:31 PM EDT, October 31, 2024
Self-propelled anti-aircraft systems are crucial targets for both Ukrainians and Russians due to their function, limited numbers, and difficulty in replacement. For this reason, each detected unit is engaged with the best available weapon at the time.
This category includes M142 HIMARS or M270 MLRS launchers loaded with GMLRS rockets for the Ukrainians. These systems enable precise elimination of targets at distances of up to 50 miles. To achieve this precision, the batteries maintain constant contact with operators of long-range reconnaissance drones, allowing for observing Russian territory even several tens of miles from the front line.
When significant targets are detected, a missile attack is executed using one or more rockets, depending on the presence of electronic warfare systems capable of jamming GPS signals, which negatively affects accuracy. Below, you can see a hit on a Buk system, whose missiles ignited shortly afterward.
Buk system — a critical asset for the Russians
The Buk-M system was introduced into service in the USSR in the late 1980s and has undergone numerous upgrades over the decades. The impacted unit might have been a standard Buk M1-2 from the 1990s, an M2 variant from the early 2000s, or the latest M3 produced since 2016.
These systems were designed to provide anti-aircraft and anti-ballistic coverage, with an initial range of up to 25 miles for targets such as airplanes, cruise missiles, and ballistic missiles at less than 12 miles. For the Buk-M3, these ranges increased up to 43 miles for regular targets, and its capability against ballistic missiles was likely improved as well.
Despite these advanced capabilities, the targeted Buk could not defend itself from a GMLRS rocket attack, which most likely approached from the side or rear, outside the radar's field of view.
GMLRS rocket — a weapon despised by the Russians
A GMLRS rocket struck the Buk system, and despite the poor quality of the recording, it appears to be the M30A1 variant produced since 2015. It dispersed 182,000 tungsten balls in the area. This is evident from the small explosion in the air just before the larger explosion of the Buk.
This type of rocket, featuring the so-called AW (Alternative Warhead) exploding 33 feet above the ground, was developed as an alternative to controversial cluster munitions. The AW warhead still has an area effect, but it avoids creating unexploded ordnance that could remain hazardous for decades after the war. Meanwhile, the tungsten balls possess sufficient energy to penetrate bulletproof vests or, for instance, rocket bodies or tankers.
