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Ukraine War
Ukraine: First Takedown Of Russian Jet With SAMP-T Missile
First confirmed kill using France/Italy’s equivalent of the US Patriot
One of Ukraine’s two SAMP/T surface-to-air missile batteries has shot down a Russian warplane for the first time. That’s obvious good news for Ukraine, which could rely more on the Franco-Italian air defense system — Europe’s answer to the American Patriot…
…“There is a confirmed aircraft,” Yuriy Ihnat, a Ukrainian air force spokesman, said at a recent industry event. Ukraine has received separate SAMP/T batteries, each with radars and launchers, from France and Italy. A $500-million SAMP/T battery can hit aircraft and missiles from 90 miles away. — Forbes.com
We don’t know precisely when this hit occurred, but it was said to be on a Sukhoi aircraft, type unspecified but very probably an Su-25 Grach ground attack plane.
SAMP-T
The Surface-to-Air Missile Platform/Terrain, or SAMP-T, represents a significant element within modern air defence capabilities. Developed through a joint European program, primarily involving France and Italy, the system addresses the need for robust protection against airborne threats independently of US weaponry.
Its operational design incorporates a modular approach, allowing for deployment in varying configurations to suit specific tactical requirements. The system’s core function revolves around the Aster missile family, in which there are several variants. This missile, guided by an active radar seeker, provides the capacity to engage targets across a considerable range.
The SAMP-T’s architecture includes a command and control module, a multi-function radar, and the missile launch units.
The command and control module, often referred to as the engagement module, processes data from various sources to generate a comprehensive air picture. This data integration enables the system to identify, track, and prioritise up to 100 targets.
