US senators request to send to Ukraine Land-Based C-RAM Phalanx & Avenger air defense systems.

According to a statement published by U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan, on July 18, 2022, a letter sent by U.S. Senators Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), Tammy Duckworth, Roger Wicker, Richard Blumenthal, Robert Portman, and Lindsey Graham to the U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Mark Milley, US senators asked to immediately expedite shipments of military equipment to Ukraine including Counter-Rocket, Artillery, Mortar (C-RAM) Phalanx systems, and Avenger mobile anti-aircraft missile systems.
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The AN/TWQ-1 Avenger consists of a gyro-stabilized air defense turret armed with Stinger missiles mounted on a modified Humvee (Picture source: Army Recognition)

Today, U.S. Senators recommended for immediate delivery of new military aid including medium- and long-range air defense systems, M777 155 mm howitzers, High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS), armored personnel carriers, larger and more capable unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), and Mi-17 helicopters.

On May 19, 2022, Congress passed the Additional Ukraine Supplemental Appropriations Act, which provided nearly $20 billion for military aid to the Ukrainian military. In the intervening weeks, President Biden has approved five drawdowns and sent $3.3 billion worth of military aid to Ukraine, including the $400 million package approved on July 8, 2022. On June 23, 2022, we met with a delegation of Ukrainian fighter pilots and air defense officers to hear first-hand what they need to defend Ukrainian cities and military installations from Russian air and missile attacks.

Protecting Ukrainian cities, military infrastructure, and forces in the field from Russian air and missile attack requires ground-based air defense systems, Counter-Rocket, Artillery, Mortar (C-RAM) Phalanx systems, and Avenger mobile anti-aircraft missile systems. Longer-range air defense systems will allow Ukraine to target Russian aircraft and cruise missiles operating at altitudes that Stingers cannot reach. C-RAM will provide a critical point defense capability against missiles and Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) targeting civilian and military critical infrastructure. Avengers will provide Ukrainian forces with mobile, short-range air defense against low-flying aircraft, helicopters, and UAS.

In addition to these critical air defense capabilities, it is imperative the United States continue to provide 155 mm Howitzers, High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS), armored personnel carriers, larger and more capable UAS platforms, and Mi-17 helicopters to the Ukrainian military. The importance of ongoing delivery of ammunition cannot be stressed enough given the critical nature of Ukrainian efforts to retake lost territory. We also urge you to consider fourth-generation fighter aircraft and necessary flight training for inclusion in forthcoming military aid packages.

While the medium- and long-range air defense capabilities and HIMARS included on June 27, 2022, and July 8, 2022 aid packages are a good start, these systems must be delivered at a pace and in quantity sufficient to impact the outcome of the fighting in the Donbas, Kherson and other regions. Our assistance must be decisive, not incremental. We urge you to act expeditiously while coordinating with NATO allies and partners, to get this equipment to the Ukrainian military immediately.

The Avenger AN/TWQ-1 Air Defense System vehicle is a missile-mounted system that provides mobile, short-range air defense protection for ground units against cruise missiles, unmanned aerial vehicles, low-flying fixed-wing aircraft, and helicopters.

The Avenger AN/TWQ-1 carries eight Raytheon Stinger short-range air defense missiles in two launch pods mounted on either side of the turret. The turret can also be deployed as a fixed stand-alone unit. The baseline configuration consists of a gunner’s turret with missile pods mounted on each side. Each missile pod, called the standard vehicle-mounted launcher, can hold four missiles that can be removed and fired in the MANPAD employment configuration.

The C-RAM (Counter Rocket, Artillery, and Mortar) also nicknamed Centurion Weapon System is a Land-Based Phalanx Weapon System with the capability of integration with other protection sensors and systems. The system is designed and manufactured by the American Company Raytheon. Phalanx is a rapid-fire, computer-controlled radar and 20 mm gun system that automatically acquires, tracks, and destroys enemy threats that have penetrated all other ship defense systems.

The land-based version of the C-RAM Centurion Phalanx consists of a trailer or the rear side of the Oshkosh truck which is equipped with a C-RAM Phalanx combining a proven 20 mm M61A1 Gatling gun, firing M-246 or M-940 self-destruct rounds at a selectable rate of 3,000 or 4,500 shots per minute, with an advanced search and track Ku-band radar featuring closed-loop spotting technology to provide autonomous target detection and engagement. The trailer is towed by an M916A3 6x6 tactical truck. The air defense system has an effective firing range of 2,000 m and a maximum firing range of 5,500 m.

The C-RAM (Counter Rocket, Artillery, and Mortar) also nicknamed Centurion Weapon System is a Land-Based Phalanx Weapon System with the capability of integration with other protection sensors and systems. (Picture source Army Recognition)