The Oerlikon Skyshield is a ground-based short-range air defense system developed by the Swiss Company Oerlikon Contraves (now a subsidiary of Rheinmetall of Germany). The Oerlikon Skyshield is a range-echeloned, ground-based air defence system. A highly effective combination of sensors, effectors and command technology enables it to bring down enemy aircraft as well as incoming rockets, artillery and mortar rounds. This process encompasses prevention, detection of incoming objects, alerting of friendly forces, intercepting the object, protection of billets and facilities, and returning fire. Today more than ever, military installations such as forward operating bases are vulnerable to rocket, artillery and mortar attacks. Indeed, such weapons have become tools of choice in asymmetric conflicts, with militants carrying out attacks with ever-smaller, ever-more effective projectiles - with little or no warning and often launched from built-up areas. Vehicle-mounted configurations are also possible. Moreover, improvements in radar technology, the accuracy of effector orientation, the lethality of AHEAD ammunition and automated fire control make it possible for the Oerlikon Skyshield system to neutralize incoming RAM targets quickly and reliably while simultaneously avoiding collateral damage to the maximum possible extent. Importantly, Oerlikon Skyguard systems already in service can also be retrofitted with AHEAD technology. Rheinmetall's Skyshield technology places the company on the global cutting edge. In February 2014, Indonesia has opted to expand its inventory of Rheinmetall-made Oerlikon Skyshield air defence systems with a follow-on order for Skyshield fire units. The Indonesian army ordered six Skyshield fire units in 2009. In March 2014, South Africa has signed a contract with Rheinmetall to modernise the country's existing short-range air defence (SHORAD) systems. The contract encompasses the supply of Oerlikon Skyshield fire control units, which will substantially improve the performance and accuracy of South Africa’s current twin-gun systems as well as significantly expanding the operational spectrum of its air defence capabilities. South Africa currently operates 100 GDF-002 and 48 modified GDF-005 units. In this context, a number of the twin-gun systems will also be retrofitted with upgrade kits to accommodate Rheinmetall’s state-of-the-art AHEAD Anti-missile ammunition including logistics and training services, the complete package is scheduled for completion by 2017.
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- Oerlikon Skyshield® MOOTW/C-RAM System: The Oerlikon Skyshield MOOTW/C-RAM system is Rheinmetall’s answer to the threat from rockets, artillery and mortar (RAM). It is specifically designed to defend high-value civilian or military assets from RAM attacks, whether in high-intensity combat scenarios or in “military operations other than war” (MOOTW).
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| Armament |
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Oerlikon Skyshield include two or four 35/1000 Revolver Gun high-performance 35mm automatic cannon for short- and very short-range air defence. They can fire Rheinmetall AHEAD ammunition, whose effect on small and very small targets is similar to shotgun pellets hitting a clay pigeon. Furthermore, as an option, up to two guided missile launchers can be integrated for engaging larger targets a longer ranges, considerably extending the system's operational reach. The Gun is unmanned and is controlled by a Fire Control Unit. Up to 20 stored engagement bursts may be fired to counterattacks, including those with high saturation rates, the ultra-short reaction time of the Skyshield 35/1000 Ahead air defence system offering detection to firing in less than 4.5 seconds. The 35/1000 Revolver Gun has great accuracy and a rate of fire around 1,000 rds/min which provides the fire power needed for an exceptional multi-target engagement capability.
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| Missiles and Ammunitions |
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The Skyshield 35/1000 Revolver Gun fires the 35mm Air Burst Ammunition Ahead able to destroy the target by multiple impacts of heavy metal, spin-stabilized sub-projectiles. Each 35 mm Ahead shell contains a payload of 152 sub-projectiles, which are ejected just ahead of the incoming target, triggered by a precision programmable time fuse. A short burst of 35 mm Ahead ammunition produces a cloud of lethal sub-projectiles, resulting in sustained saturation of the anticipated target position. The sub-projectiles are fully capable of penetrating the skin of current and anticipated future targets, while still inflicting enough damage on the attacking target, e.g. unmanned air vehicles, to keep them from achieving their mission. The 35/1000 Revolver Gun can also fire the 35 mm AHEAD (Advanced Hit Efficiency And Destruction) ammunition. AHEAD is designed specifically for small, very low and fast-flying targets such as drones, dispensers and missiles, and it can be used by all 35 mm guns retrofitted with the muzzle-velocity gauge and an electronic processing unit. The normal burst-either from two 35/1000 guns-consists of 25 rounds and is fired within about 0.7 s. These 25 rounds contain more than 3,800 subprojectiles. As a comparison, a burst of HEI ammunition contains some 50-60 rounds, but the kill probability against small targets is much lower. Thus, despite its higher costs, the AHEAD round is much more cost-effective than HEI. The AHEAD round ejects a lethal shower of 152 spin-stabilized sub-projectiles, with a mass of 3.3g each, in a cone with a 10° opening angle released by each round just "ahead" of the approaching target, at a position determined by a programmable, electronic, time fuze in the base of the projectile.
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| Fire Control Unit |
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The Oerlikon Skyshield air defense system includes the Skyshield 35 Fire Control Unit (FCU) which provides air space surveillance over the complete elevation range with each antenna revolution. . The FCU has high detection and acquisition performance also of extremely small and steeply attacking aerial targets. The control of the anti-aircraft guns and missile launchers can be used against manned aircraft such as fighter, bomber and helicopters and also against unmanned aerial targets, in particular fast, small missiles in a steep diving attack.
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| Combat use |
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An Oerlikon Skyshield system typically consists of a sensor/C4l module with radar and electro-optical sensors as well as effectors deployed within the base perimeter. One of the main advantage of the Oerlikon Skyshield system is the protection it offers to the crew: the sensor module, guns and launchers are all unmanned Moreover, the command post can be deployed up to 500 metres away from the sensor module The entire system can operate in all weathers, is highly resistant to electronic countermeasures, and can be networked with other C4I systems. The Skyshield system can also be networked with other air defense systems for wider and more effective air coverage, expanding its roles from point defense to area defense.
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| Specifications |
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Armament
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Two or four 35mm 35/1000 Revolver Gun and missile launcher unit
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Country users
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Indonesia, South Africa, Switzerland
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Designer Country
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Germany
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Crew
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7
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Missiles
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ADATS
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| Radar |
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Skyshield FCU Fire Control Unit
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Range
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cannon 4,000 m
missile 8,000 m
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Range Radar
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20 km detection fighter
10 km detection missile
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