skynex defends Kyiv: a new era in air defence technology
A recording has surfaced online showing the shooting down of drones or cruise missiles over Kyiv by an anti-aircraft gun system using programmable ammunition. The distinctive explosions, reminiscent of fireworks, suggest the involvement of Skynex system batteries. We explore what this system is capable of.
Ukraine has acquired at least two Skynex point defence system batteries from Germany, which are ideally suited for the low-cost neutralisation of drones, cruise missiles, and the potential destruction of FABs. This system is conceptually an evolution of the Gepard, featuring programmable ammunition and more sensitive radars.
A recording has now emerged from the night-time defence of Kyiv, where the system was used to knock down Russian targets. This is evidenced by the characteristic explosions of projectiles fired in four-round bursts.
Skynex - an economical remedy for various targets
The Skynex system is an export version of the MANTIS sets used in Germany. It is centred around the Oerlikon Revolver Gun Mk3 automatic cannon with a 35 mm calibre, capable of a firing rate of 1,000 rounds per minute. It is designed to use sub-calibre armour-piercing or programmable AHEAD ammunition.
The effective range of this system is up to 3 miles, allowing it to effectively counter a wide array of targets, including drones, cruise missiles, aircraft, and even artillery shells and aerial bombs with a thick, steel casing.
The automatic cannon is aimed at the target using radar or an optoelectronic head equipped with a thermal sight and a laser rangefinder. Objects can be eliminated using a four-round burst, costing only a few tens of thousands of euros. While this may appear costly, it is economical compared to an anti-aircraft missile, which costs at least several hundred thousand euros or dollars.
Armour-piercing ammunition consists of small tungsten darts capable of penetrating over 100 mm of armoured steel, while the programmable variant contains a payload of tungsten balls. These surround an explosive material, which is detonated by a fuse programmed at the barrel's exit to explode after a specified time. A special sensor at the barrel's exit measures each projectile's exit velocity and, based on radar data such as speed and distance to the target, calculates the timing for the AHEAD projectile to detonate.
As a result, just before reaching the target, a literal "wall" of tungsten fragments is formed, with a few-yard impact field, capable of shredding the bodies of drones or missile warheads.
The complete turret system weighs 5 tonnes, including a stock of 252 rounds. When firing in four-round bursts, this ammunition is sufficient for numerous targets. Until now, the system has primarily been presented in a stationary version transported on lorries. Its Skyranger 30 variant, with a lighter 30 mm calibre gun offering slightly lower parameters, is in greater demand.
Recently, there has been interest in mounting this system's turret on a heavier platform, such as a Leopard 1A5 tank. A prototype developed a few months ago underwent firing range testing just under two weeks ago.
