Oerlikon's Skyshield Fills
the Ultra Short-Range Air Defense Gap

Asian Aerospace 2000 -- Twin remotely controlled and radar-directed 35mm revolver cannon, each firing up to 1,000 rounds per minute, newly developed by Oerlikon Contraves Defense, are being marketed here as the Skyshield35 Ahead system with advanced capabilities to meet stringent low-level air defense requirements. Among these are ultra-short reaction time of only 4.5 seconds between detection and firing, great accuracy, and multi-target engagement of subsonic and supersonic air attack weapons, ranging from tactical aircraft, attack helicopters, cruise missiles, remotely-piloted vehicles and even precision-guided munitions.

The multi-sensor unit is highly ECM resistant, with pulse-Doppler search and tracking X-band radars, combined with a high-dynamic TV/laser/IR module for interference-free precision tracking. Also featured are fully automatic target detection alarm, track-while-scan, and threat evaluation, followed by hand-over to the tracking sensors.

Extended range operation against air targets up to 10 km away is provided by the Skyshield35 ADATS gun/missile system. Developed in conjunction with Oerlikon Aerospace, this integrates a new unmanned ADATS launcher, based on a single fire-control unit for both guns and surface-to-air missiles.

By John Fricker