Ukraine unveils new air defense system on HMMWV platform
The Ukrainian defense industry has developed a new air defense system based on the HMMWV or SUV vehicle. Here is what the Ukrainian version of the Avenger looks like.
The Ukrainian defense sector has unveiled a new integrated air defense system built on the HMMWV vehicle. According to the Militarnyj portal, this system has been delivered to the 3rd Separate Assault Brigade.
Avenger Ukrainian style
During the modernization of the HMMWV vehicle, only the platform was retained, and a new cabin and launcher for a pair of Vympel R-73 missiles were mounted. Additionally, electronic warfare systems were placed on the roof of the vehicle to protect against FPV drones.
The Ukrainian Avenger operates on a "fire-and-forget" principle, meaning that once the missile is launched, it does not require guidance until it hits the target. This allows the Ukrainian Avenger to quickly relocate after launching the missile or missiles, minimizing the risk of a counterattack.
MiG-based missiles
The Ukrainian variation of the American AN/TWQ-1 Avenger system uses Vympel R-73 missiles, which have also been integrated into the 9K33 Osa anti-aircraft systems. Vympel R-73 missiles are short-range air-to-air missiles capable of striking targets at distances up to 19-25 miles, depending on the version.
These distances apply at high altitudes, where the air is thinner, but for land-based platforms, the effective range will likely be within 6-12 miles. The missiles have an 18-pound fragmentation warhead and use thermal guidance, allowing them to effectively track heat-emitting targets.
For this reason, they are a very effective means of combating cruise missiles, or they can serve as an additional layer of defense against Shahed drones. The latter can indeed be shot down using large-caliber machine guns like the Browning M2.
