Russia seizes guidance system from downed US missile

Russia has claimed that it has a key component of the United States' highly-capable Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS). The component in question is part of its guidance system and was obtained from a downed rocket in Ukraine.

This news was first announced on July 1 by Russia's state-owned RIA Newswhich showed a video of the alleged ATACMS component. The footage allegedly shows a weapons expert examining the component.

According to RIA Newsthe piece is an intact guidance and flight correction system from the US-manufactured weapon. The report also claims that the ATACMS component was obtained after Russia intercepted and shot down the missile housing it.

The unidentified weapons expert in the video displayed the label on the back of the supposed GPS guidance system, revealing that it originated from a US Army store in Alabama. He mentioned that the captured ATACMS component would enable Russia to examine how the missiles are controlled during flight.

It should be noted that even if the footage does show what Russia claims, it has not been confirmed or denied by United States officials.

ATACMS guidance system is now in Russian hands

ATACMS is a tactical ballistic missile developed by Lockheed Martin. It can be launched from multiple rocket launchers, including the HIMARS.

Retired Russian Army officer and military analyst Viktor Litovkin said reverse-engineering the alleged ATACMS component could enable Russia to identify the weapon's vulnerabilities. This could also provide the invading forces with enough information to develop an effective countermeasure.

“The warheads of the ATACMS missile are presented. The guidance system. There are three laser ring gyroscopes. Thanks to them, it is kept on a tuned ballistic trajectory. A GPS antenna, thanks to which corrections are made at the primary and final sections of the ballistic trajectory,” Litovkin told the agency.

At the end of the analysis, Litovkin revealed that Russian scientists are expected to provide recommendations for improving the country's missile defense systems or jamming capabilities. He also stated that experts will now be able to analyze the functioning of the missile systems throughout the entire flight and their ability to adjust their course.

“The military will use this information to attack these missiles and the launchers that fire these missiles. It is possible that after studying this missile, [Russia] would be able to discover the launch areas and location of these missiles faster,” he added.

They may soon reverse-engineer it

The US has supplied Ukraine with ATACMS to target Russian facilities and troop concentrations located hundreds of kilometers away from the frontline.

The decision was not easy because Washington had long been hesitant to provide kyiv with sophisticated long-range weapons. This was mainly due to concerns that they could be used to target deep into Russia, as they have reportedly done several times already.

However, with Moscow's recent claim, Litovkin said that Russia is not sending a strong message that Western military technology “is no longer a secret for us.”

“We have shown everyone that we have found an 'antidote' to the most vaunted and promoted Western types of military equipment, and we are using it effectively,” he explained.