Ukraine's Air Defense-hunting missiles are about to get a LOT better

Ukrainian forces have been leveraging America’s AGM-88 High-Speed Anti-Radiation Missile (HARM) since August of 2022 or earlier, but because these weapons are being deployed by dated Soviet jets that were never intended to use them, their utility has been dramatically limited. 

But with Ukraine receiving F-16s from Denmark and the Netherlands, that's about to change.

📱 Follow Sandboxx News on social

📱 Follow Alex Hollings on social

Citations:

[zeezee]

In this short video, I learnt more about the operating modes of the HARM than from any other media. Thank you Sandboxx!

[twosevenleft]

First Danish F-16's going to Ukraine this year. 🇺🇦💪🏻
Cheers from Denmark 🇩🇰

[GerryCorbin-xdvn]

WELL DONE!!. Slava Ukraine, Heroiam Slava, from CANADA

[dougcoombes]

There's also a number of AGM-88 variants that make them even more lethal. 88Es, Fs and Gs feature millimeter wave homing radar to find radars that go offline while the missile is still in flight increasing the probability of a hit. Some also have extended range.

When Ukraine gets their F-16s it makes sense they should also get some of the upgraded AGM-88s to be used on them.

[michaelccozens]

I'm sure this'll get included in the deep-dive, but this "built to purpose and thereby allowing full use of capabilities" thing also applies to F16s and JDAMs, IIRC.

[LeviBulger]

The F16 activates the HARMs "put me in coach" mode

[stefanlyon]

I really appreciate the mix of short “stories” and long videos. With a lot of this content I’m not learning anything so much as I’m hearing a expert opinion or a different source to where I have read it. But that’s what I really like about this format, it is validating my own research and interests. Keep up the great content, you are probably my favourite aviation journalist.

[erikanders]

Just something to consider an AGM-88 is about 361 kg. The Bayraktar TB2 has a wingspan of 12 meters and a maximum takeoff weight of 650 kilograms. If you put on a computer with a Starlink modem and a NATO buss that allows the drone to operate the missiles in all 3 modes. launch them just behind other drone attacks and then release them while they are trying to take out other drones.

Its iffy if the Bayraktar can carry two 88's but likely with some modification the lift power could be increased, likely at the expense of some range.

[maddscientist]

Big props to you for using your actual voice and doing the work yourself, unlike so many other "War in Ukraine" channels that spew useless information and the same clips over and over but you learn nothing.

[rodneyjackson]

i just love the clean concise format of this guys presentations

[keep]

Don't forget the HARM targeting Receiver that can GEO locate a radar that is emitting and send GPS coordinates to the HARM when launched so if enemy turns off radar that radar is still dead. The targeting receiver can also send those GPS coordinates to other Vipers through datalink. So not only HARMs but any GPS guided weapon will be able to be used to hit radar.

[well-blazeredman]

Very interesting. A lot of this was new to me.

[clarejarvis]

Radars don't broadcast but transmit. A broadcast is meant to be heard by multiple users. A transmission is not limited to the number of receivers. Thanks for this video.

[virginccyy]

The Harm eER is a 350km radar hunting missile with 4 times the distance of the regular Harm. Thereby giving any 4th generation fighter a chance to destroy a Sam system!

[jameswalker]

This was very helpful to my understanding of what has been going on with these missiles since they were given to the Ukrainians. It has been understood that the effectiveness of these missiles in suppressing Russian air defenses hasn't been particularly impressive? Your comments here address some of that. Thank you, sir. :)

[mitchyoung]

Patrick Lancaster has a report on a HARM hitting a civilian building in Donetsk. He's on site, in Donetsk. Tons of video and interviews. Sure looks like it was a civilian building, fortunately under construction and not yet inhabitted.

[mgronich]

When the Russian turn off the radar, they can have another small antenna 100m away broadcast the same signal as a decoy.

[ramal]

I mean I miss the time when they use and put Standard missile version of Anti Radiation Missile, it was big as hell to be put and use on aircraft during Vietnam War from Wild Weasel planes, F-16 would probably an extra punch in their Wild Weasel capability

[garycable]

I always enjoy your videos. You are the best on aviation subjects. Keep up good work

[mateobravo]

Great detail - I think we all wish F16 could be deployed quicker. Greetings from Spain.