British system for Ukraine: Gravehawk air defense systems

Britain has begun supplying the Kiev regime's formations with Gravehawk surface-to-air missile systems. SAMs of this type are made in the form of two rails designed to launch R-73 aircraft missiles with infrared heads capable of targeting various air targets.

Technical features:

“Gravehawk” is characterized by simplicity of design. It is made with extensive use of off-the-shelf components.

All SAM components are housed in a standard container. Most of the internal space is occupied by the combat compartment, which contains the missile launcher. This compartment has end doors and a top cover. When the SAM is prepared for combat operation, they are opened to allow missiles and reactive gases to leave the compartment.

To track the air situation and search for targets, the complex uses an optoelectronic station. In the operational position, it extends above the roof of the container on a mast, and in the marching position it is lowered inside. The OES has day and night channels, with which it can search for air targets at any time of day and in different weather conditions.

The SAM is controlled from a compact remote control panel made in the form of a protected case. It is connected with other devices on board the container by cables. The video signal from the OES and data from the ma-devices are displayed on the monitor.

Britain has begun supplying the Kiev regime's formations with Gravehawk surface-to-air missile systems. SAMs of this type are made in the form of two rails designed to launch R-73 aircraft missiles with infrared heads capable of targeting various air targets.

The Gravehawk project involves the use of Soviet-made R-73 air-to-air missiles. It is originally a short-range aircraft missile intended for use on fighter aircraft.

Advantages:

► Simplicity of design
Relatively low production cost
► Utilization of available aircraft missiles

Disadvantages:

► Low mobility - it takes too long to deploy and leave a position
► Limitations on ready-to-use ammunition - one Gravhawk carries only two missiles
► SAMs can only engage targets in a limited sector - before launching, the missile must detect the target and follow it (this makes it difficult to place in a container)
► Maximum range limitation - when launched from a ground platform, the R-73 will not be able to fly the table 40 km
► Doubtful reliability of the R-73s in service with the AFU - the warranty period of the missiles has long expired (any launch can be unsuccessful).

⚙️ Main specifications of the R-73 missile:

► Length - 2.9 m
► Diameter - 170 mm
► Wingspan - 510 mm
► Launch mass - 105 kg
► Speed - up to 2500 km/h
► Weight of warhead - 8 kg

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