- Joined
- Nov 17, 2017
- Messages
- 12,324
- Reactions
While the Oerlikon Skyranger’s primary role is to counter increasing unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) threats, it also has a secondary ground-ground capability as its 35 mm Advanced Hit Efficiency and Destruction (AHEAD) ammunition can be effective against some ground targets.
The new system is fitted with an Oerlikon Revolver Gun Mk 3 remote controlled turret armed with a 35 mm/90 calibre gas-operated Oerlikon Revolver Cannon. It has 252 rounds of ready use ammunition, and the empty cartridge cases are ejected externally.
In the air-defence role its maximum range is 4,000 m and it has a nominal rate of fire of 1,000 rounds per minute or a single-shot mode at 200 rounds a minute.
For the counter-unmanned aerial vehicle (C-UAV) role, it would typically fire the latest-generation AHEAD 35x228 mm round that has a muzzle vehicle (m/v) of 1,050 m/s. The first example of the new Skyranger Gun is a single-feed system, but there is growth potential for a dual-feed system.
There are currently four types of 35 mm AHEAD ammunition: PMD062 with a payload of 152 sub-projectiles, PMD330 with 497 sub-projectiles, PMD375 with 860 sub-projectiles, and PMD428 with more than 600 sub-projectiles that are optimised against UAVs.
Other types of 35x228 mm ammunition can be fired, including high-explosive incendiary (HEI), high-explosive incendiary – tracer (HEI-T), frangible armour piercing (FAP), and associated training rounds.
