Skynex
Type: Long-Range Air Defense System
Domain: land
Country of Origin: Germany
Manufacturer: Rheinmetall
First Deployed: 2020
Overview
Autonomous air defense system built around the Oerlikon Revolver Gun Mk3 — a 35mm x 228 twin-barrel rapid-fire cannon with Advanced Hit Efficiency And Destruction (AHEAD) programmable airburst ammunition. The system autonomously detects, tracks, and engages low-flying air threats including UAVs, cruise missiles, rockets, artillery, and mortar rounds (C-RAM). The Oerlikon AHEAD ammunition programs each round via a muzzle-mounted coil to create a cone of tungsten sub-projectiles at the precise intercept point — devastatingly effective against small targets. Fire rate of 1,000 rounds/minute with effective range of 4 km. The system includes the X-TAR3D 3D surveillance radar and Skymaster fire control. Multiple countries have ordered Skynex for counter-drone defense.
Technical Specifications
| armament | Oerlikon Revolver Gun Mk 3 (35mm) |
|---|---|
| detection | Integrated radar and EO sensors |
| ammunition | AHEAD (Air Burst) programmable tungsten sub-projectiles |
| automation | Fully autonomous engagement capable |
| manufacturer | Rheinmetall |
| rate_of_fire | 1,000 rounds/min |
| effective_range | ~4 km |
Operators
- Germany
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