What the secret Gravehawk missile system for Ukraine truly looks like is not what everyone expected.

It was known last year that the United Kingdom was supplying Ukraine with secret anti-aircraft missile systems, and on January 16 of this year, their name was revealed as Gravehawk by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who added that there would be 15 of them, with two prototypes already protecting Ukrainian skies.

Considering all the information shared, the only assumption about what Gravehawk was seemed to be an unknown missile system that had appeared in videos several times - a covertly supplied system with AIM-132 ASRAAM missiles based on a Supacat HMT truck.

However, it turns out that this refers to a completely different missile system. When Keir Starmer mentioned that the system fits into a shipping container and uses missiles available in Ukraine, he was specifically referring to this. Essentially, Gravehawk is indeed designed in the form factor of a shipping container and utilizes Ukrainian-made R-73 missiles. This was revealed in a report by British BFBS Forces News, which showcased Gravehawk using footage from the UK Ministry of Defence.

Thus, Gravehawk is a short-range system, as the R-73, when launched from the ground, is estimated to have a range of up to 12 km and an altitude capability of several kilometers. This is more than sufficient for targeting cruise missiles and drones, as well as for point defense of an object.

The R-73 missiles, which feature infrared guidance, are mounted on standard pylons, with only two missiles in one system. The roof of the container has a sliding top. It is possible that the launcher can extend from the container, as otherwise, guidance and launching of missiles would be feasible only within a rather narrow sector.

The R-73 missiles are integrated into a new fire control system that employs an optical location station. Most likely, it includes an optical and thermal imaging channel, as well as a laser rangefinder for determining the distance to a target.

Additionally, a separate photo displayed the control panel of the optical location station, which allows for tracking and locking onto targets, as well as launching missiles. The control is managed using a controller that resembles a standard gamepad for a gaming console.

For transporting Gravehawk, a truck with a multi-lift system is used, which can independently lower or raise the container with the missile system.