Exclusive: Germany's Rheinmetall Demonstrates a New Era of Mobile Air Defense with Its Skyranger 35.

On March 7, 2025, German defense company Rheinmetall demonstrated its latest breakthrough in mobile air defense through a video published on its YouTube account, showcasing the combat capabilities of the Skyranger 35. This next-generation air defense combat vehicle, built on the well-established Leopard 1 Main Battle Tank (MBT) chassis and integrating the Oerlikon Revolver Gun Mk3 35mm automatic cannon, is designed to meet the evolving challenges posed by modern warfare, particularly the growing threat of small, unmanned aerial systems. Combining the mobility and durability of the Leopard 1 with the powerful, precise firepower of the Oerlikon cannon, the Skyranger 35 is equipped to defend against a wide range of contemporary aerial threats.
Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link

Rheinmetall’s Skyranger 35 in action, showcasing its advanced mobile air defense capabilities on the Leopard 1 chassis. A new era of precision defense against modern aerial threats. (Picture source: Rheinmetall)

The Skyranger 35 marks a significant advancement in the evolution of mobile air defense systems, a field in which Rheinmetall has been a key player for decades. The Skyranger is the latest in a series of systems designed to address the changing dynamics of modern combat. It follows in the footsteps of earlier platforms, such as the German Gepard, which was widely recognized as one of the most effective self-propelled anti-aircraft systems during the Cold War. The Gepard was notable for its twin 35mm cannons and its use of radar and optical sensors to track and engage aerial targets. Despite being introduced in the 1970s, the Gepard proved to be an invaluable asset in conflicts well into the 21st century, especially for the Ukrainian military in its fight against Russian drones and missile threats. The Gepard was deployed to great effect in Ukraine, where it successfully intercepted a range of Russian aerial threats, including drones and low-flying cruise missiles, demonstrating the continuing relevance of mobile anti-aircraft systems in modern warfare.

However, the Skyranger 35 takes the legacy of the Gepard to new heights. Whereas the Gepard required a more manual engagement process, with human operators directing the system, the Skyranger 35 integrates a far higher level of automation. This is where the Skyranger differs fundamentally from its predecessors: the Skyranger is not only faster in terms of target tracking but also capable of autonomous target engagement. It combines advanced sensors and fire control systems to allow the vehicle to operate with minimal operator intervention. The Oerlikon Revolver Gun Mk3, a 35mm air defense automatic cannon, is the centerpiece of this system, offering superior firepower and accuracy compared to older systems. The Mk3 variant of the Oerlikon cannon brings a major upgrade in terms of target tracking, integration, and autonomy. Capable of firing at rates of up to 1,000 rounds per minute, the Skyranger can engage targets at distances of up to 4 kilometers. This high rate of fire and long range make it highly effective in engaging fast-moving aerial threats, including UAVs, missiles, and aircraft, with precision.

One of the key advancements of the Skyranger 35 is its integration of the Oerlikon AHEAD (Advanced Hit Efficiency and Destruction) ammunition. This airburst ammunition is specially designed to deal with the emerging threat of small, fast, and low-flying aerial systems, such as drones. The AHEAD rounds contain 152 tungsten subprojectiles that are deployed when the projectile reaches the proximity of the target, creating a lethal cloud capable of destroying UAVs, artillery shells, or missiles. This capability is particularly important as modern adversaries increasingly rely on small drones and swarming tactics to saturate and overwhelm traditional defense systems. In contrast, the Gepard’s twin 35mm cannons, while highly effective, lacked such advanced ammunition and were not optimized for the diverse range of modern threats.

The Skyranger 35 also features a sophisticated sensor suite, which includes the Oerlikon AMMR (Advanced Multi-Mission Radar). This radar system is equipped with four active electronically scanned-array (AESA) antennas, which cover a 90° horizontal angle and are capable of detecting and tracking a wide range of aerial threats, including mini- and micro-UAVs, rocket and mortar threats, and even cruise missiles. The AMMR’s fully digital beamforming and adaptive techniques allow the Skyranger 35 to operate effectively in highly contested environments, where electronic warfare and interference are prevalent. Additionally, the Skyranger 35 integrates a Ku-band tracking radar and electro-optical sensors, including both infrared and daylight cameras. These sensors ensure that targets can be tracked and identified with exceptional accuracy, providing an extra layer of verification before engagement.

The Skyranger 35, unveiled by German company Rheinmetall during Eurosatory 2024, represents the next generation of mobile air defense, combining advanced technology with unmatched mobility. (Picture source Army Recognition Group)

The integration of the Skyranger 35 with Rheinmetall’s Skymaster command and fire control software further enhances the system’s autonomy. The Skymaster system automates much of the target recognition, threat assessment, and engagement process, reducing the time between detection and interception. While the Skyranger 35 can propose engagement solutions autonomously, the final decision to fire rests with the commander, ensuring that the system operates within the rules of engagement and current operational orders.

A major advantage of the Skyranger 35 is its mobility. Built on the Leopard 1 chassis, the system benefits from proven durability and excellent off-road capability, allowing it to be deployed rapidly in diverse environments. The Skyranger’s retractable hydraulic feet enhance stability during firing, ensuring that it can operate effectively even in dynamic battlefield conditions, where rapid movement and adaptability are critical. The vehicle can be quickly repositioned to provide air defense wherever it is needed, offering a versatile and robust solution for protecting key assets and units in a rapidly changing tactical landscape.

In comparison to older systems like the Gepard, which, despite its impressive performance in the field, was increasingly challenged by the speed and versatility of modern threats, the Skyranger 35 offers a solution that is not only more advanced in terms of automation but also in firepower and engagement capabilities. While the Gepard demonstrated its value in the conflict in Ukraine, particularly in intercepting low-flying Russian drones and missiles, the Skyranger 35 offers a more sophisticated approach to modern threats, allowing for faster response times and more effective engagement of small, maneuverable, and rapidly evolving targets.

The Skyranger 35 is set to redefine the role of mobile air defense systems on the modern battlefield. With its advanced sensors, automated fire control, and powerful armament, it offers a level of precision and flexibility that older systems like the Gepard simply cannot match. As adversaries continue to employ swarming UAVs and other agile aerial threats, the Skyranger 35 provides a critical new tool for military forces to maintain control of the skies and protect vital assets from evolving threats. By building on the legacy of the Gepard and integrating the latest in sensor and weapon technologies, the Skyranger 35 represents the future of mobile air defense, setting a new standard for protection against aerial threats in the 21st century.