Latest news with #Supacat
Yahoo
03-07-2025
- Yahoo
Video shows British-made fighter missiles, modified in 3 months to launch from the ground, scoring Russian drone kills
Ukraine's air force released footage of its Raven missile systems downing Russian drones. The system uses an air-to-air missile that the UK tweaked in four months to fire from a 6×6 Supacat. The UK says the Raven missile system has a success rate of 70% out of 400 engagements. Ukraine's air force released footage on Wednesday of UK-made Raven air defenses striking Russian air targets in at least five instances. The video features a Ukrainian air defense crew discussing their experiences with the system, and their interviews are interspersed with clips of the missile soaring into the sky to destroy Russian drones. The Raven fires what was originally the British Advanced Short Range Air-to-Air Missile, also known as the AIM-132, which is mainly equipped on the Royal Air Force's Typhoon and F-35 Lightning II fighter aircraft. However, the UK's defense ministry said in 2022 that it had transformed the missile into a version for Ukraine that could fire from a British 6×6 HMT600 Supacat transport vehicle. At the time, it was touted as a key way for Ukraine to defend itself from Russian missile strikes. The Asraam is particularly useful because it's infrared-guided and locks onto its target once launched, even in poor weather. Ground crews can fire it and relocate quickly, and they don't need to maintain a line of sight with their target. UK defense officials said in 2023 that their teams took roughly four months to make the missile ground-launched and to train Ukrainian crews to use the Raven. However, in an official video published in May, Col. Olly Todd of the UK's task force supporting Ukraine said the Raven "went from concept to delivery" within three months. "They've conducted over 400 engagements, which understand with a success rate of over 70%," Todd said. The Supacats are fitted with missile mounts taken from decommissioned UK jets, such as the BAE Hawk, SEPECAT Jaguar, and Panavia Tornado. These are classes of fighter aircraft that were retired from combat over the last two decades. Crews inside use a gamepad controller to identify targets on a screen and activate the missile's infrared lock-on system. With drones saturating the skies over Ukraine, Raven crews said in the Wednesday video that they've largely been targeting uncrewed systems, plastering their Supacat with stickers of Russian Orlan, Shahed, and Zala drones to mark every kill they scored. The Raven's launch controls feature four switches that prepare each mounted missile and a large red button for firing. A Ukrainian Raven operator speaking to the camera said crews are generally trained so all members, including the driver and commander, can replace each other if needed. According to a June statement by the UK's defense ministry, Ukraine has been supplied with eight Raven systems and is due to receive another five. The UK says that the Asraam missiles supplied to Ukraine were sitting in its inventory but were due to expire, meaning they'd have soon been marked for disposal if not sent to Kyiv. Ukraine deploys other air defense systems similar to the Raven because they combine a hybrid mix of munitions and launchers originally built for separate systems. Known colloquially as "FrankenSAMs," they include modified Soviet-era Buk M1s that can fire the American RIM-7 Sea Sparrow missile, as well as Soviet radars that pair with the AIM-9M Sidewinder air-to-air missile. Read the original article on Business Insider
Yahoo
03-07-2025
- Yahoo
Video shows British-made fighter missiles, modified in 3 months to launch from the ground, scoring Russian drone kills
Ukraine's air force released footage of its Raven missile systems downing Russian drones. The system uses an air-to-air missile that the UK tweaked in four months to fire from a 6×6 Supacat. The UK says the Raven missile system has a success rate of 70% out of 400 engagements. Ukraine's air force released footage on Wednesday of UK-made Raven air defenses striking Russian air targets in at least five instances. The video features a Ukrainian air defense crew discussing their experiences with the system, and their interviews are interspersed with clips of the missile soaring into the sky to destroy Russian drones. The Raven fires what was originally the British Advanced Short Range Air-to-Air Missile, also known as the AIM-132, which is mainly equipped on the Royal Air Force's Typhoon and F-35 Lightning II fighter aircraft. However, the UK's defense ministry said in 2022 that it had transformed the missile into a version for Ukraine that could fire from a British 6×6 HMT600 Supacat transport vehicle. At the time, it was touted as a key way for Ukraine to defend itself from Russian missile strikes. The Asraam is particularly useful because it's infrared-guided and locks onto its target once launched, even in poor weather. Ground crews can fire it and relocate quickly, and they don't need to maintain a line of sight with their target. UK defense officials said in 2023 that their teams took roughly four months to make the missile ground-launched and to train Ukrainian crews to use the Raven. However, in an official video published in May, Col. Olly Todd of the UK's task force supporting Ukraine said the Raven "went from concept to delivery" within three months. "They've conducted over 400 engagements, which understand with a success rate of over 70%," Todd said. The Supacats are fitted with missile mounts taken from decommissioned UK jets, such as the BAE Hawk, SEPECAT Jaguar, and Panavia Tornado. These are classes of fighter aircraft that were retired from combat over the last two decades. Crews inside use a gamepad controller to identify targets on a screen and activate the missile's infrared lock-on system. With drones saturating the skies over Ukraine, Raven crews said in the Wednesday video that they've largely been targeting uncrewed systems, plastering their Supacat with stickers of Russian Orlan, Shahed, and Zala drones to mark every kill they scored. The Raven's launch controls feature four switches that prepare each mounted missile and a large red button for firing. A Ukrainian Raven operator speaking to the camera said crews are generally trained so all members, including the driver and commander, can replace each other if needed. According to a June statement by the UK's defense ministry, Ukraine has been supplied with eight Raven systems and is due to receive another five. The UK says that the Asraam missiles supplied to Ukraine were sitting in its inventory but were due to expire, meaning they'd have soon been marked for disposal if not sent to Kyiv. Ukraine deploys other air defense systems similar to the Raven because they combine a hybrid mix of munitions and launchers originally built for separate systems. Known colloquially as "FrankenSAMs," they include modified Soviet-era Buk M1s that can fire the American RIM-7 Sea Sparrow missile, as well as Soviet radars that pair with the AIM-9M Sidewinder air-to-air missile. Read the original article on Business Insider
Times
11-05-2025
- Automotive
- Times
Supacat armoured vehicles find their roar on battlefield and Whitehall
For more than 40 years, Supacat has been keeping the peace, supporting British and overseas forces who arrive at places or situations and need to find out what is happening or clear up what has gone before. But now Supacat, with its Jackal all-terrain military vehicles, is finding its roar. Operationally, the Jackals are getting serious upgrades into fully fledged armoured vehicles replete with rocket launchers. In the boardroom, Supacat executives are telling the Ministry of Defence and the Treasury that if Whitehall is serious about supporting Britain's defence SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises) then the time has come for action, strategies and plans, and not just words. Supacat is one of the low-key heroes of the British defence sector, a manufacturer of military vehicles
The Sun
07-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Woke red tape stops British armoured vehicle-maker raising funds in the City
A BRITISH firm behind an in-demand armoured military vehicle dubbed 'The Jackal' is urging ministers to clear away red tape so the business can thrive. Devon-based Supacat says it is 'fighting a bit of a battle' to access finance — despite the popularity of the 7.6-ton bruiser which can tackle the roughest, bumpiest terrain. 5 5 5 The Jackal, which Sun Business Editor Ashley Armstrong took for a spin, can carry 2.1 tons of cargo, such as missile launchers, medical supplies and drone killers. Supacat — which exports worldwide, making around £40million a year — recently won a new contract from the British Army. But it is shunned by some investors, who consider defence firms unethical as they do not have 'B Corp' status. CEO Nick Ames said the defence industry has not been 'top of the popularity tree' for more than a decade. And he said Supacat was unlikely to list in London to raise funds. He added: 'The City has for years said we, 'Don't do that sort of thing'. You'd like to see a lot more activity and liquidity on the AIM (Alternative Investment Market). You're more liquid as a business.' 5 With global politics becoming increasingly fragile, the Government plans to increase military spending to 2.5 per cent of GDP within two years. Chancellor Rachel Reeves and Defence Secretary John Healey have pledged to give more of the Ministry of Defence budget to smaller British companies, such as Supacat. The firm, which employs 250, is known to many because Jeremy Clarkson uses one of its ex-Army six-wheelers to get around his Diddly Squat farm. Phil Applegarth, head of Supacat, said: 'For the first time in our lives defence spending, which has always been cut, is rising. Keir Starmer must hike UK defence spending soon to have any credibility & ditching woke nonsense can help fund it 'To get in on this ride up we need skilled people, enthusiastic people who aren't frightened to go and join defence firms rather than be shoe-horned into B Corp. 'There is a real sense of pride in working on what we do. We're making something that is vital. It's keeping our forces safe.' He added: 'We need to build up capability now to be the deterrent that prevents a potential war.' Mr Applegarth said the defence industry was waiting for the Government to outline its Strategic Defence Review, which is delaying investment. He added: 'There seems to be a desire to wait rather than keep going and then change. 'You're hearing a lot of top-level speeches saying, 'Prepare, prepare' but the best we could have is longer-term contracts. The longer it is, the more we can invest in resources and skills. 'The current spiky ordering doesn't help as we have to keep getting fresh prices from the supply chain — switching the supply chain on and off rather than keeping it warm and running.' BAE TO RECRUIT 2,400 WORKERS DEFENCE giant BAE wants to hire 2,400 apprentices, graduates and undergrads this year as it gears up to meet soaring demand. It has also shrugged off the threat of President Donald Trump's tariffs, insisting it builds systems for the US Department of Defense in its US factories with a domestic supply chain. BAE said yesterday it expected to grow sales by up to 9 per cent and earnings 10 per cent as it wins more contracts for combat aircraft and vehicles, missile systems, artillery, sensor technology and drones. WIND AXE BLOW FOR GREEN ED 5 THE Government's Clean Power push looks increasingly far-fetched after a Danish firm axed a major offshore wind project, blaming higher costs. Orsted said it will not go ahead with its Hornsea project, where 180 wind turbines off the Yorkshire coast were to power millions of homes. It is a blow to Energy Secretary Ed Miliband's desire to quadruple the number of offshore wind farms by 2030. Orsted's chief exec Rasmus Errboe said that the project was unlikely to provide value for money because of 'increased supply chain costs, higher interest rates and increased execution risk'. Andy Mayer, analyst at the Institute of Economic Affairs, said: 'It is a reminder of the folly of legally binding climate targets. "The Government's plan to decarbonise the power grid by 2030 denies real trade-offs between lower emissions, energy security and affordability.'
Scottish Sun
07-05-2025
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Woke red tape stops British armoured vehicle-maker raising funds in the City
A BRITISH firm behind an in-demand armoured military vehicle dubbed 'The Jackal' is urging ministers to clear away red tape so the business can thrive. Devon-based Supacat says it is 'fighting a bit of a battle' to access finance — despite the popularity of the 7.6-ton bruiser which can tackle the roughest, bumpiest terrain. Advertisement 5 The Jackal, which Sun Business Editor Ashley Armstrong took for a spin Credit: Neil Hope 5 The Sun's Ashley at Supacat, which exports worldwide, making around £40million a year Credit: Neil Hope 5 Supacat is shunned by some investors, who consider defence firms unethical Credit: Neil Hope The Jackal, which Sun Business Editor Ashley Armstrong took for a spin, can carry 2.1 tons of cargo, such as missile launchers, medical supplies and drone killers. Supacat — which exports worldwide, making around £40million a year — recently won a new contract from the British Army. But it is shunned by some investors, who consider defence firms unethical as they do not have 'B Corp' status. CEO Nick Ames said the defence industry has not been 'top of the popularity tree' for more than a decade. Advertisement READ MORE BUSINESS NEWS WAT A MOVE Anthony Joshua in talks over 'serious investment' in ex-Premier League club And he said Supacat was unlikely to list in London to raise funds. He added: 'The City has for years said we, 'Don't do that sort of thing'. You'd like to see a lot more activity and liquidity on the AIM (Alternative Investment Market). You're more liquid as a business.' 5 CEO Nick Ames said the defence industry has not been 'top of the popularity tree' Credit: Neil Hope With global politics becoming increasingly fragile, the Government plans to increase military spending to 2.5 per cent of GDP within two years. Advertisement Chancellor Rachel Reeves and Defence Secretary John Healey have pledged to give more of the Ministry of Defence budget to smaller British companies, such as Supacat. The firm, which employs 250, is known to many because Jeremy Clarkson uses one of its ex-Army six-wheelers to get around his Diddly Squat farm. Phil Applegarth, head of Supacat, said: 'For the first time in our lives defence spending, which has always been cut, is rising. Keir Starmer must hike UK defence spending soon to have any credibility & ditching woke nonsense can help fund it 'To get in on this ride up we need skilled people, enthusiastic people who aren't frightened to go and join defence firms rather than be shoe-horned into B Corp. Advertisement 'There is a real sense of pride in working on what we do. We're making something that is vital. It's keeping our forces safe.' He added: 'We need to build up capability now to be the deterrent that prevents a potential war.' Mr Applegarth said the defence industry was waiting for the Government to outline its Strategic Defence Review, which is delaying investment. He added: 'There seems to be a desire to wait rather than keep going and then change. Advertisement 'You're hearing a lot of top-level speeches saying, 'Prepare, prepare' but the best we could have is longer-term contracts. The longer it is, the more we can invest in resources and skills. 'The current spiky ordering doesn't help as we have to keep getting fresh prices from the supply chain — switching the supply chain on and off rather than keeping it warm and running.' BAE TO RECRUIT 2,400 WORKERS DEFENCE giant BAE wants to hire 2,400 apprentices, graduates and undergrads this year as it gears up to meet soaring demand. It has also shrugged off the threat of President Donald Trump's tariffs, insisting it builds systems for the US Department of Defense in its US factories with a domestic supply chain. BAE said yesterday it expected to grow sales by up to 9 per cent and earnings 10 per cent as it wins more contracts for combat aircraft and vehicles, missile systems, artillery, sensor technology and drones. WIND AXE BLOW FOR GREEN ED 5 Energy Secretary Ed Miliband's wants to quadruple the number of offshore wind farms by 2030 Credit: Getty THE Government's Clean Power push looks increasingly far-fetched after a Danish firm axed a major offshore wind project, blaming higher costs. Advertisement Orsted said it will not go ahead with its Hornsea project, where 180 wind turbines off the Yorkshire coast were to power millions of homes. It is a blow to Energy Secretary Ed Miliband's desire to quadruple the number of offshore wind farms by 2030. Orsted's chief exec Rasmus Errboe said that the project was unlikely to provide value for money because of 'increased supply chain costs, higher interest rates and increased execution risk'. Andy Mayer, analyst at the Institute of Economic Affairs, said: 'It is a reminder of the folly of legally binding climate targets. Advertisement "The Government's plan to decarbonise the power grid by 2030 denies real trade-offs between lower emissions, energy security and affordability.'
