For first time, Ukraine shows its British Rapid Ranger air-defense system mounted on Spanish off-road chassis. Its crews call it “close-range storm”
This 500-kilogram missile system is designed to catch what radar misses.
For the first time, Ukraine's Third Army Corps has showcased their British RapidRanger air-defense system mounted on Spanish off-road platform, the URO VAMTAC. The troops describe this system as a "short-range storm." The RapidRanger fills a critical gap in the defense system, operating swiftly, cheaply, and independently of radar, countering Russia's rapid Shaheds and reconnaissance drones.
A crew from the 1030th "Aquila" Anti-Aircraft Missile and Artillery Regiment can be seen in photos preparing the RapidRanger with anti-aircraft missiles for combat deployment. The system's modular design allows it to be mounted on various vehicles, including pickups, armored cars, and tracked platforms. Weighing just 500 kilograms, the RapidRanger is lightweight enough to ride on a pickup, which has a top speed of 135 km/h.
The RapidRanger's LMM Martlet missiles, measuring 1.3 meters and weighing 13 kilograms, travel at 1,800 km/h, targeting up to seven kilometers away. Crucially, the missiles utilize laser guidance, enabling the system to detect and strike targets like Russian drones, even if they carry decoy heat-emitting devices. This makes the RapidRanger highly effective against Russian drones, such as the Orlan-10, which is challenging to spot with traditional heat-seeking weapons.
The 360-degree electro-optical surveillance suite installed on the RapidRanger provides all-around coverage, allowing the crew to detect threats up to 15 kilometers away. This range is more than double the engagement range, giving the crew ample time to track and neutralize potential threats. The RapidRanger was procured as part of a British military aid package and has already demonstrated its effectiveness in downing Shaheds from its Spanish mounts, as confirmed by a recent report from Euromaidan Press.
The integration of this Western air-defense hardware into Ukraine's front-line forces marks a significant step forward in their defense capabilities. The system's mobility and robust detection capabilities provide crucial protection in areas where radar cannot reach, ensuring a more reliable defense against Russian aerial threats.
Written by urgent.news from Euromaidan Press's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
