Rheinmetall air defence solutions showcased at IDEX 2015 in Abu Dhabi.

Oerlikon Skyshield MOOTW/C-RAM System

The Oerlikon Skyshield MOOTW/C-RAM system is Rheinmetall’s answer to the threat from 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). The system can also be used for protecting critical infrastructure or targets with a high symbolic value from terrorists and insurgents employing unorthodox tactics.

Highly sophisticated yet extremely robust, this state-of-the-art system combines permanent airspace surveillance, automated detection and tracking of extremely small targets, prior warning of areas under threat and the interception and destruction of approaching RAM targets. Coupled with an Oerlikon Skymaster command and control system in MOOTW configuration, the Oerlikon Skyshield MOOTW/C-RAM system is entirely up to the task.

The Skyshield MOOTW/C-RAM system depends on Oerlikon Ahead airburst ammunition technology. Reliably neutralizing a wide variety of threats, it calculates the incoming projectile’s point of impact and warns personnel in the threatened zone. Advanced fire control technology results in optimum, precisely timed target assignment and interception.

Furthermore, Rheinmetall’s Skyshield 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 a Skyshield Air Defence System on an all-terrain 6x6 or 8x8 vehicle ensures maximum operational flexibility. Visitors to IDEX 2015 can find out more about the Skyshield MOOTW/C-RAM system at the Rheinmetall stand, where different components of other air defence systems, including the Oerlikon Skyguard 3 fire control unit, an Oerlikon high-energy laser gun demonstrator and the Asrad 1 missile launcher are also on display.

Oerlikon high-energy laser gun

The HEL effector is just one part of a ground-based laser weapon system. This versatile air defence system consists of an Oerlikon Skyguard 3 fire control unit for target acquisition and weapon control and an Oerlikon high energy laser gun using a revolver gun turret equipped with laser weapon modules. Each module consists of one 10 kW fibre laser and a beam-forming unit. Commercial off the shelf fibre lasers were modified for air defence applications. The beam-forming unit provides diffraction-limited beam focusing, target imaging and fine tracking of the target.

By using beam superimposing technology, Rheinmetall has combined the power of single lasers into one multiplied laser beam. This technology not only allows superimposition of multiple lasers on a single gun platform, but also superimposition of multiple gun platforms. This enables an almost unlimited (e.g. 100kW and more) power output in line with the evolving air defence requirement. As a result the high-energy laser gun provides efficient protection against a large spectrum of modern air threats.

A major advantage of HEL effectors is their outstanding flexibility with regard to escalation and de-escalation. The output power of the high-energy laser gun is eminently scalable. When fired at the optics of aircraft, UAVs, weapons or energy sources, for example, the HEL effector is able to neutralize entire weapon systems without destroying them.