Throughout the Russo-Ukrainian conflict, both sides have had to rely on ingenuity to adopt unconventional solutions in deploying their various systems. In the case of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, it has been observed how Soviet/Russian-origin platforms in their inventory have been integrated with Western weaponry. The most notable case is the so-called “FrankenSAM,” which uses U.S.-supplied RIM-7 Sea Sparrow missiles launched from a Buk-M1 9A310M air defense system. Other important examples include the use of anti-radiation missiles by MiG-29 fighters or the SCALP/Storm Shadow cruise missiles deployed by Sukhoi Su-24 Fencer attack aircraft.
However, there are other cases where Eastern-origin systems are used to deploy weaponry of the same origin, although they were not originally designed for such purposes. This is the case of a 9K33 Osa (NATO code: SA-8 Gecko) air defense system adapted to fire R-73 (AA-11 Archer) air-to-air missiles, one of the standard weapons of Soviet fighters that still exist in large quantities in Ukraine’s arsenal.
A few days ago, one of the various support groups for the Armed Forces of Ukraine, called the “Competent Army Aid Fund” (Povernys Zhivym), revealed the results of a project named “Hornet.” Through this initiative, the goal is to provide the 9K33 Osa short-range air defense system (SHORAD), still in service with Ukraine’s military, the capability to launch R-73 missiles.
With funding derived from donations raised by the “Come Back Alive” foundation, which exceeded 14 million hryvnias, the Hornet Project was launched. As noted, it differs from projects like “FrankenSAM,” as the latter employs Western weapons, while Hornet uses Soviet-origin weaponry still available, such as the infrared-guided R-73 air-to-air missiles.
This modernization presumably also addresses the low stockpiles of the Osa’s original missile, specifically the 9M33M3 short-range surface-to-air missile. In its original configuration, the Osa had the capability to launch six missiles through two containers with three cells each.
Images released by the foundation show several modifications applied to the SHORAD system. The most notable is the replacement of the original containers with modified APU-73 rails. This type of rail is the standard interface when the R-73 missile is mounted on a combat aircraft, suggesting that other equipment has also been integrated, although no further details have been disclosed.
The resulting capabilities are considerable when comparing the parameters of the original 9M33M3 missiles and the R-73 missiles. The former has a range of 9.3 miles, while the latter, in its original air-to-air configuration, has a maximum range of 18.6 miles. However, various experts have pointed out that, despite official statements, the platform change and launch conditions will likely reduce the missile’s effective range.
Beyond this observation, those involved in the Hornet Project highlighted: “The aviation missile has an advantage since it works on a ‘fire-and-forget’ principle. It does not need to be guided like the Osa’s standard missile. Immediately after launching an R-73, it is possible to relocate from the position to avoid a retaliatory strike,” explained Oleksii Dubynka, a military consultant for Povernys Zhivym.
Finally, questions have arisen regarding how many Osa air defense systems have been equipped with the R-73 missiles, which are available in greater numbers than the 9M33M3. This is partly because many components of the missiles, such as their infrared seeker, were manufactured in Ukraine during the Soviet era.
Photo credits: “Come Back Alive”.
