American Rheinmetall presents Skyranger 762 air defense system on ISV-C at AUSA 2025.

During AUSA 2025, American Rheinmetall presented the Oerlikon Skyranger 762 ultra-short-range air defense (U-SHORAD) system integrated on GM Defense’s ISV-Cargo vehicle. The Skyranger 762 uses twin M134D Miniguns, EchoShield radar, and multispectral sensors to counter small drones and light ground targets.

American Rheinmetall unveiled a new variant of the Skyranger 762 ultra-short-range air defense (U-SHORAD) system during AUSA 2025 in Washington, mounted on GM Defense’s ISV-Cargo (ISV-C) tactical vehicle. The Skyranger 762 is designed for mobile ultra-short-range air defense against unmanned aerial systems and light armored threats. It combines twin 7.62×51 mm Dillon Aero M134D Miniguns with the Echodyne EchoShield radar and a multispectral electro-optical suite, connected through the Skymaster command network.
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Mounted on an ISV-Cargo (ISV-C), the Skyranger 762 is an ultra-short-range air defense system pairing twin Dillon Aero M134D Miniguns with an Echodyne EchoShield 4D Ku-band radar and a full electro-optical sensor package. (Picture source: Army Recognition)

The Skyranger 762 employs the Rheinmetall Fieldranger Multi RCWS architecture equipped with two Dillon Aero M134D Miniguns chambered in 7.62×51 mm NATO. Each gun is supplied by a 3,000-round magazine, providing a total ammunition load of 6,000 rounds and a combined rate of fire of 6,000 rounds per minute, equivalent to 100 rounds per second. The effective firing range is up to 1,200 meters, with Rheinmetall listing a stowed kill ratio of 7.5:1 against NATO Class I drones within 700 meters. The weapon station is designed for simple one-person operation through a single interface and is compatible with multiple vehicle classes, stationary installations, and uncrewed ground vehicles. Its dual-role capability allows it to switch between anti-air and direct-fire support functions. The turret’s combat weight is approximately 700 kilograms, with a traverse arc of 130°, elevation from –5° to +50°, and rotation and elevation speeds of 50° per second.

The integrated sensor package of the Skyranger 762 combines an Echodyne EchoShield 4D radar with an instrumented range of 30 kilometers and an electro-optical suite that includes a 40× day camera, an infrared camera, and a Class 1 laser rangefinder capable of measuring up to 5.2 kilometers. The system supports all-weather operation, enabling automatic target detection, acquisition, and engagement while on the move. The fire-control system coordinates radar and optical inputs to track and identify targets autonomously and direct engagement through the twin guns. Operation is handled wirelessly from a safe distance using the Skymaster C2 interface, allowing integration into larger air defense networks that combine Skyranger, Skynex, and Skyspotter systems.

The Dillon Aero M134D Minigun forms the main armament of the Skyranger 762. It is an electrically driven six-barrel weapon designed to maintain a high rate of sustained fire while minimizing recoil through an externally powered rotating barrel cluster. Each M134D weighs approximately 27 kilograms in fixed-forward-fire configuration and 30 kilograms in crew-served mode. The system fires 3,000 rounds per minute, averaging 30,000 rounds between stoppages and achieving a barrel group life of around 100,000 rounds depending on firing cycles. The M134D’s multi-barrel design limits each barrel to 500 rounds per minute, enabling continuous operation without overheating. The complete system is rated for a service life exceeding 1.5 million rounds. Each shot occurs every 1/50th of a second, producing dense shot groupings that reduce targeting errors caused by movement of the gun, platform, or target. The M134D is used by all branches of the U.S. military and in more than 30 countries across land, naval, and air applications, including convoy escort, border patrol, VIP protection, and special operations boats and helicopters.

The M134D’s design emphasizes precision through electronic control and consistent stability. Its virtually recoil-free operation allows accurate fire at ranges up to 1,200 meters, while its modular configuration supports integration on a wide range of vehicles and aircraft. The weapon’s maintenance requirements are minimal; stoppages can be resolved in under one minute. The design’s efficiency allows fewer guns and personnel to cover the same area, resulting in lower overall logistical requirements. The M134D’s multi-role flexibility is reflected in its adaptation for fixed forward-fire, crew-served, and remote configurations, with options for modernization kits to upgrade older General Electric GAU-2B/M134 variants. Its dependability in continuous fire conditions has been retained in its integration into the Skyranger 762, where two of these weapons provide a combined output of 100 rounds per second for close-range drone interception and area denial roles.

The Skyranger 762 displayed at AUSA 2025 was mounted on GM Defense’s ISV-Cargo (ISV-C) vehicle, a two-seat variant of the U.S. Army’s M1301 Infantry Squad Vehicle based on the Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 architecture. The ISV-C incorporates 90 percent commercial-off-the-shelf components and is powered by a 2.8-liter Duramax turbo-diesel I4 engine paired with a Hydra-Matic 6L50 six-speed automatic transmission and an AutoTrac two-speed transfer case with 2.62:1 low range. It features front and rear electronic locking differentials, Chevrolet Performance Multimatic DSSV long-travel suspension dampers, and power-assisted disc brakes with 325 mm front and 332 mm rear rotors. Curb weight is approximately 2,230 kilograms with a payload of 1,452 kilograms and a total load allowance of 2,268 kilograms. The cargo bed measures 2.11 meters long and 1.87 meters wide. Dimensions are 5.26 meters in length, 2.07 meters in width, and 1.90 meters in height. The vehicle can be air-transported internally in a CH-47 Chinook or sling-loaded under a UH-60 Blackhawk and is certified for air drop from C-17, C-130, and A400M airlifters.

The ISV-Cargo includes a 24-volt electrical system compatible with NATO slave interfaces and supports blackout and combat modes. Safety features include a high-strength roll-over protection system, electronic stability control, and anti-lock braking systems. Built on a commercial vehicle architecture, it is intended for sustained operations in austere environments with parts accessible through General Motors’ global supply chain spanning 118 manufacturing sites in 13 countries. This industrial structure allows GM Defense to scale production and provide local sustainment support for military fleets worldwide. The vehicle’s mobility and low mass make it adaptable for missions including fire support, electronic warfare, command and control, reconnaissance, and casualty evacuation. It serves as the base platform for the Skyranger 762 U-SHORAD system, merging a lightweight chassis with a precision autonomous air defense capability suited for rapid deployment and distributed operations.

Combining the Skyranger 762 with the ISV-Cargo results in a mobile and modular solution for countering small aerial threats in close proximity to maneuver forces. The system’s platform-agnostic design, integration with Skymaster C2 networks, and compatibility with Rheinmetall’s existing Skyranger family enable its use in different mission profiles ranging from stand-alone protection to networked air defense nodes. The Skyranger 762 complements the larger Skyranger 30 and Skyranger 35 variants equipped with revolver cannons and airburst ammunition, forming a layered system designed to counter drones, loitering munitions, and low-flying air targets at short ranges while retaining the mobility and maintainability associated with light tactical vehicles.

Written by Jérôme Brahy

Jérôme Brahy is a defense analyst and documentalist at Army Recognition. He specializes in naval modernization, aviation, drones, armored vehicles, and artillery, with a focus on strategic developments in the United States, China, Ukraine, Russia, Türkiye, and Belgium. His analyses go beyond the facts, providing context, identifying key actors, and explaining why defense news matters on a global scale.