HAWK Air Defense System Remains Effective in Ukraine Despite Its Old Age.

The HAWK (Homing All the Way Killer) air defense system, developed in the 1950s, proves its effectiveness despite its advanced age. This complex system, which has undergone several modernizations over the decades, remains a key player in protecting the skies, particularly in Ukraine. The Ukrainian Armed Forces released a video dated July 6, 2024, explaining that this system is even capable of shooting down certain enemy drones.
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The HAWK (Homing All the Way Killer) system is a surface-to-air missile designed to engage targets at low and medium altitudes. (Picture source: Ukrainian MoD)

Initially designed to intercept cruise missiles and aerial missiles, the HAWK system was not intended to combat modern drones. However, faced with current challenges, Ukrainian forces have had to quickly adapt to these new threats.

During training conducted by Spanish instructors, they expressed reservations about the HAWK's effectiveness against drones: "For drone combat, it is not too well-suited..." they said. Nevertheless, Ukrainian defenders showed unwavering determination. "We will manage, we will adapt! We have no other choice," they affirmed.

This determination paid off in the very first air combat. Ukrainian operators, using the HAWK, managed to shoot down six enemy Shahed-type drones, demonstrating that even an old system, with adequate training and unyielding resolve, can still play a crucial role in air defense.

The performance of the HAWK system in Ukraine is further proof of the robustness and reliability of proven technologies, even in the face of modern challenges. By continuing to evolve and adapt, the HAWK remains a valuable asset for the protection of Ukrainian skies.

The HAWK (Homing All the Way Killer) system is a surface-to-air missile designed to engage targets at low and medium altitudes. Using a dual-thrust solid fuel booster sustainer rocket motor, it was developed in the United States and adopted by numerous countries around the world, including France, Greece, Iran, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, the Netherlands, Egypt, Jordan, Morocco, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Spain, South Korea, Sweden, Taiwan, Turkey, Ukraine, and the United Arab Emirates.

The HAWK missile exists in two main versions: the MIM-23A and the MIM-23B. The MIM-23A weighs 584 kg and is equipped with a 54 kg high-explosive fragmentation warhead, while the heavier MIM-23B weighs 627.3 kg with a 75 kg warhead. These missiles are guided by semi-active radar homing with proportional navigation, allowing for increased accuracy against moving targets.

The HAWK has an impressive range: the MIM-23A can reach targets between 2,000 and 32,000 meters, while the MIM-23B has an extended range of 1,500 to 40,000 meters. The missiles travel at a speed of Mach 2.7, making it difficult for aircraft and other targets to evade them. In terms of dimensions, the missile is 5.08 meters long, with a diameter of 0.37 meters and a wingspan of 1.19 meters.

Despite its many decades of service, the HAWK remains a formidable and effective air defense system, capable of adapting to the demands of modern warfare and effectively defending Ukrainian skies against various threats.

The HAWK air defense system, developed in the 1950s, proves its effectiveness in Ukraine despite its advanced age. ( Picture Source: Army Recognition)