Key Facts About Gravehawk System

Gravehawk System Latest News

Ukraine has reportedly acquired a new weapon system to defend against the barrage of missiles unleashed by Russia: the Gravehawk hybrid surface-to-air missile system.

About Gravehawk System

• It is a short-range surface-to-air missile system developed by the United Kingdom.
• It is designed to address short-range threats, particularly those posed by fast-moving airborne objects.
• It is mounted on an all-terrain vehicle chassis, allowing for rapid deployment and mobility on the ground. 
• It is equipped with infrared-guided missiles, including the AIM-132 ASRAAM and the Wympel R-73. 
• The missiles can reach speeds of up to Mach 2.5 and engage targets at a range of approximately 12 miles, making them effective against drones, cruise missiles, and low-flying aircraft.
• One of the system's key advantages is its passive infrared guidance, which eliminates the need for radar emissions that could expose its location to enemy forces.
• The containerized launch system also incorporates electro-optical and infrared targeting cameras, allowing remote operation so that operators can fire missiles from a safe distance.

Gravehawk System FAQs

Q1. What is infrared guidance?

Ans. Infrared guidance refers to a missile or weapon system's ability to track and home in on a target using infrared radiation emitted by the target, typically in the form of heat. 

Q2. What is radar?

Ans. Radar (Radio Detection and Ranging) is a system that uses radio waves to detect, locate, and track objects. 

Q3. What is Mach speed?

Ans. Mach speed refers to the ratio of the speed of an object to the speed of sound in the surrounding medium, typically air. 

Source: ET