Rheinmetall’s advanced air defence systems showcased at AAD 2014.

Based on the company’s battle-tested Skyguard Air Defence System, the Skyshield is characterized by excellent combat effectiveness – around the clock and in all weathers; it is also impervious to electronic countermeasures.

The need for a 35mm gun-based air defence system able to meet current and coming requirements led to the recent development and manufacture of the Oerlikon Skyshield air defence system. Lightweight and compact, it is the world’s most advanced and effective system for low-level air defence. The German Bundeswehr has procured the Oerlikon Skyshield MOOTW/C-RAM (military operations other than war/counter rocket, artillery, mortar) system under the project name “Mantis” for defending its forward operating bases.

The Skyshield fire control unit can use the Oerlikon Twin Gun GDF007 as its effectors. Coupling high precision with a high rate of fire the Twin Gun GDF007 is designed to fire conventional 35mm rounds as well as Rheinmetall’s proprietary Ahead airburst ammunition, which features a programmable ejection point of its sub-projectile payload. It is also possible to upgrade the combat effectiveness of older Twin Gun GDF005 or Mk V gun systems.

The heart of Rheinmetall’s proprietary Ahead technology is a high-precision time-delay projectile. At the optimum moment, it ejects a lethal cloud of heavy metal pellets, reliably neutralizing small and even very small projectiles, such as rockets, artillery and mortar (RAM) rounds, much the way a shotgun shell destroys a clay pigeon.

Furthermore, Rheinmetall’s air defence technology is by no means limited to static defence roles. Mobile applications are equally feasible. For short-term missions, a truck-mounted version is available which can be deployed without unloading the system from the truck. This is particularly useful if the mission involves protecting a succession of different sites for short periods. Mounting an Oerlikon Skyshield air defence system on an all-terrain vehicle ensures maximum operational flexibility.

Existing Skyguard systems can also be retrofitted with Ahead technology. Furthermore, thanks to the modularity of its systems, Rheinmetall is able to bring additional components into play, readily creating multi-mission capabilities tailored to the needs of individual clients.