Raven (air defence)

Raven
Raven SAM Launcher
TypeSelf-propelled anti-aircraft weapon
Place of originUnited Kingdom
Service history
In service2023- [1]
Used byArmed Forces of Ukraine
WarsRusso-Ukrainian war
Production history
Designed2022
ManufacturerSupacat
MBDA
Developed fromSupacat HMT
Produced2022-
No. built13-18 [2] [3]
Specifications
Main
armament
2xASRAAM Surface-to-Air Missile
EngineCummins 6.7-liter, 6-cylinder diesel [4]
185 hp (138 kW)
TransmissionAllison 2500 5-speed Automatic [5]
Fuel capacity202L [6]
Operational
range
500 mi (800 km)
Maximum speed75 mph (120 km/h)

Raven is a short-ranged, self-propelled Surface-to-Air Missile Launcher, initially produced by the United Kingdom for Ukraine using surplus British military equipment.[7] The system was originally developed in just 3 months at the start of the 2022 full-scale Russian Invasion of Ukraine, in response to a Ukrainian request for more NATO-standard Ground Based Air Defences.[8] As of 2025, 13 units have been delivered to the Armed Forces of Ukraine.[9]

History

Development

Development of Raven began in 2022, with testing completed by the end of that year.[10] The programme went from initial concept to operational deployment in only 3 months, the fastest development of any British Surface-to-Air Missile system.[8]

In April 2026, MBDA and Supacat unveiled an updated system, Raven V.[11] This model uses new in-production versions of the technology used in earlier Raven units, rather than converting them through modification of old military surplus. This provides not only a more capable, flexible system, but one that is suited to long-term, continuous production, unlike the hastily scratch-built original versions which relied on finite stocks of surplus equipment to produce.[12]

Operational Service

The first 5 systems were delivered in 2023. In June 2025 it was announced that a 13 systems were to be delivered.[13] As of April 2026, all 13 systems had been delivered.[14] As of April, the Armed Forces of Ukraine had claimed to shoot down 'over 400' targets with the system, with a 75% success rate.[15]

Technology and Systems

Chassis and Propulsion

Raven is based on modified Supacat HMT 600 6x6 Chassis. The most notable modification to the base platform is the inclusion of an enclosed cab. This allows the crew to safely launch from inside the vehicle without being harmed by the hot exhaust of the ASRAAM missile.

The first 13 Raven units have used Supacat HMT 600 Mk2 Military Enhancement Package (MEP) chassis. These were spare units left in storage from the UK's abortive Soothsayer Electronic Warfare programme, which was cancelled in 2009.[16] A total of 32 chassis are thought to be available for conversion to Raven, including those already given to Ukraine.[17]

Raven V units instead use Supacat's HMT 600 Armoured Closed Cab (ACC) chassis.[11] These are new production units based on the latest Supacat HMT Mk3 Extenda, offering greater protection, comfort, mobility and space than the early MEP models.[18][15]

All models of Raven use versions of the Cummins 6.7L Turbodiesel, mated to a switchable 6x6 drivetrain through an Allison 5-speed automatic transition.

Weapons

All variants of Raven fire ASRAAM anti-air missiles. Earlier Ravens were equipped with 2 launch rails on a pivoting, non-rotating mount.[7] Raven 5 is equipped with 4 launch rails on a 360° rotating mount developed by Moog Inc.[14] Raven 5 has also been seen fitted with Fulgur MANPADS alongside ASRAAM, but it is unclear whether these have actually been integrated onto the vehicle as of July 2026.[12]

Sensors

All Variants of Raven used versions of the Hawkeye passive electro-optical (EO) sight developed by Chess Dynamics. This is used to provide the initial cue for the missiles, with terminal guidance conducted by ASRAAM's onboard infrared homing seeker.[15]

Variants

  • Raven 1 - Prototype development unit.
  • Raven 2 - First operational surplus converted batch.
  • Raven 3 - Second operational surplus converted batch.
  • Raven 4
  • Raven 5 - Enhanced new-build standard.

Operators

Current

Ukraine
13 units in active service as of April 2026.[9]

See also

  • Gravehawk - another bespoke air defence system developed by the UK for Ukraine.
  • CAMM (missile family) - Another British air defence system derived from the ASRAAM missile.
  • Jackal (vehicle) - The Family of vehicles the Raven air defence system uses.

References

  1. ↑ "FrankenSAM: Military tech meshed to create Ukraine's Raven air defence system". Forcesnews.com. Retrieved 2026-03-10.
  2. ↑ UK Gov; MEP REMANUFACTURE OF SUPACAT VEHICLES , Retrieved August 5, 2026
  3. ↑ Kalchenko, Anzhelika; UK Unveils Raven 5 Air Defense System With Four ASRAAM Missiles , Retrieved August 5, 2026.
  4. ↑ Army Recognition; Raven Air Defence System , Retrieved March 3, 2026.
  5. ↑ Schulze, Carl; Supacat Jackal HMWP ~ Part Two , Retrieved August 5, 2026.
  6. ↑ Schulze, Carl; Supacat Jackal HMWP ~ Part Two , Retrieved August 5, 2026.
  7. 1 2 Thomas, Richard (2025-05-12). "What is Raven, Ukraine's bespoke air defence system? - Army Technology". Army Technology. Archived from the original on 2026-05-18. Retrieved 2026-07-28.
  8. 1 2 Army Recognition. "Raven Air Defense System". www.armyrecognition.com. Retrieved 2026-07-28.
  9. 1 2 "Ukraine Receives All Promised Raven Air Defense Systems, Signs Point to More Deliveries". en.defence-ua.com. Retrieved 2026-07-28.
  10. ↑ Fiorenza, Nicholas (2025-05-12). "Ukraine conflict: UK supplies Raven air defence system to Kyiv". Janes.com. Retrieved 2026-03-10.
  11. 1 2 "UK Unveils Raven 5 Air Defense System With Four ASRAAM Missiles". Militarnyi. Retrieved 2026-07-28.
  12. 1 2 "MBDA UK Integrates MANPADS Missiles into Raven 5 Air Defense System". Militarnyi. Retrieved 2026-07-28.
  13. ↑ "UK to provide hundreds of air defence missiles for Ukraine with money from sanctioned Russian assets". GOV.UK. Retrieved 2026-03-10.
  14. 1 2 "Raven Air Defense System Has Downed Over 400 russian Targets in Ukraine, New Raven 5 Variant Spotted for First Time | Defense Express". en.defence-ua.com. Retrieved 2026-07-28.
  15. 1 2 3 "Raven Air Defense System Has Downed Over 400 russian Targets in Ukraine, New Raven 5 Variant Spotted for First Time | Defense Express". en.defence-ua.com. Retrieved 2026-07-28.
  16. ↑ Press, Defence IQ (2009-06-22). "U.K. MoD Cancels Soothsayer". Defence IQ. Retrieved 2026-07-28.
  17. ↑ Morrison, Robert (2023-08-13). "WOLFRAM ~ Is MBDA and Supacat HMT 600 in Ukrainian Service?". Joint Forces News. Retrieved 2026-07-28.
  18. ↑ "HMT Armoured Closed Cab". Supacat. Retrieved 2026-07-28.
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