Image source: topwar.ru
The German concern Rheinmetall announced the successful conduct of the first fire tests of the new Skyranger 35 air defense system equipped with a 35 mm artillery launcher, showing the relevant footage. At the same time, the Leopard 1 tank was used as a chassis.
The placement of the latest anti-aircraft system on an outdated platform is caused by an acute shortage of production facilities for the manufacture of the Leopard 2 chassis, as they are overloaded with orders for the supply of tanks of the latest versions. At the same time, the volume of production of MBT remains quite low, which indicates a weak industrial base.
- they explain in the Western press.
Image source: topwar.ru
The Skyranger 35 is designed to provide highly mobile anti-aircraft protection against various aerial threats, including UAVs, helicopters and low-flying aircraft. The installation is equipped with a 35 mm Oerlikon revolver cannon (with a 252-round barrel), which can fire with a nominal rate of fire of 1000 rounds per minute, and in the fast single shot mode – 200 per minute. Its effective range reaches 4000 m. According to the manufacturer, the gun is capable of hitting small UAVs with high accuracy, especially during low-level flight or dive.
Image source: topwar.ru
The Skyranger 35 is equipped with advanced guidance systems, including a 360-degree AFAR search radar and a Ku-band tracking radar. These sensors work in conjunction with an electro-optical sensor unit, providing uninterrupted detection and tracking of highly mobile targets.
Using Oerlikon Ahead guided detonation ammunition, the system can effectively hit even the smallest aerial targets, making it suitable for countering swarms of UAVs.
