At the Association of the United States Army (AUSA) Annual Meeting, American Rheinmetall, the U.S.-based subsidiary of German defense contractor Rheinmetall, is presenting the Skyranger 30, the world’s most advanced c-UAS turret. This new “smart” short-range air defense (SHORAD) system is highly precise, versatile, and lethal, with the combined speed, mobility, and unmanned capability of Textron Systems’ Ripsaw M5 robotic combat vehicle (RCV).
When mounted on an unmanned ground vehicle, the Skyranger can effectively neutralize UAS threats in even the most austere and contested battlefields, including autonomously at the tactical edge.
Debuted in 2021, the Skyranger 30 is a fully traversable turret and is equipped with a 30mm Oerlikon KCE automatic cannon with a 250-round magazine. This cannon fires at a rate of 1,250 rounds per minute and is capable of delivering both firepower and precision. The Skyranger 30 can also be combined with dynamically programmed airburst ammunition, which increases the likelihood of hitting even the smallest micro and nano drones.
Together with Textron’s M5, Skyranger can be deployed alongside ground forces or used for stationary vital-asset protection. The Skyranger can protect mobile units on the march or critical fixed infrastructure from various types of attacks.
The Skyranger 30 represents a significant advancement in c-UAS technology because it combines 360-degree air and ground surveillance with an autonomous 30mm Oerlikon Revolver Gun, Oerlikon AHEAD airburst ammunition, and short-range air defense missiles.
Skyranger can independently generate its own local air picture, while its open architecture C2 system (Skymaster), IFF, and data link can be seamlessly integrated into higher-echelon systems such as FAADC2.
As the threats on the battlefield continue to evolve, the Skyranger is constantly being updated and improved to ensure it remains effective against a wide range of air threats. Additionally, the Skyranger family is available as a 35mm variant, providing modern mobile defense against both current and future battlefield air threats.
