Oerlikon 35 mm twin cannon
Encyclopedia
The Oerlikon 35 mm twin cannon is a towed anti-aircraft gun made by Oerlikon Contraves
(renamed as Rheinmetall Air Defence AG following the merger with Rheinmetall
in 2009). The system was originally designated as 2 ZLA/353 ML but this was later changed to GDF-001. It was developed in the late 1950s and is used by around 30 countries.
and Type 74 tank
based Type 87 SPAAG
and T-55
based Marksman
self-propelled anti-aircraft guns. The system could be paired with the off-gun Super Fledermaus fire control radar, which in the late 1970s was upgraded to the Skyguard system.
In 1980 an upgraded model, the GDF-002 was produced, which featured an improved sight, and the ability to be directed by an off-gun digital control system. A few years later a third version of the system was being produced, the GDF-003, which was broadly similar to the GDF-002, but included some enhancements like self-lubricating weapons and integrated protective covers.
In 1985 a further upgraded model was produced, the GDF-005, which was introduced, featuring the Gunking 3D computer-controlled sight with an integrated laser range-finder and digital control system.
The guns are usually transported by a 5-tonne 6×6 truck.
Development of the KD series cannon began around 1952, Oerlikon calculated that 35 mm was the optimum calibre for an anti-aircraft gun. The KD series cannons were a design adapted from the post-war 20 mm KAA 204 Gk cannon. Several designs were developed, including a water cooled design, designated Mk 352, which was tested by the U.S. Navy.
The final design was the Mk 323, which was developed in two variants, a belt fed version the KDA, and a linkless version the KDC, fed by five round clips. Both designs are gas operated with a propped lock locking system.
The Super Fledermaus fire control system was designed and built by the then separate Contraves company. It consists of a four-wheeled towed trailer with an E/F band pulse doppler search radar with a range of around 15 km and a pulse doppler tracking radar operating in the J band
, also with a range of 15 km. It was also used as the fire control system on the Gepard SPAAG
.
The Skyguard system is contained within a towed trailer, mounted on the roof of which is a pulse doppler search radar, a pulse doppler tracking radar and a co-axial television camera. The trailer also houses the crew of two and a small petrol generator.
A typical battery using the Skyguard consists of two twin 35 mm gun platforms with a single Skyguard fire control radar.
Oerlikon Contraves
Rheinmetall Air Defence AG is a division of German armament manufacturer Rheinmetall, created when the company's Oerlikon Contraves unit was renamed on 1 January 2009 and integrated with Rheinmetall's other air-defence products...
(renamed as Rheinmetall Air Defence AG following the merger with Rheinmetall
Rheinmetall
Rheinmetall AG is a German automotive and defence company with factories in Düsseldorf, Kassel and Unterlüß. The company has a long tradition of making guns and artillery pieces...
in 2009). The system was originally designated as 2 ZLA/353 ML but this was later changed to GDF-001. It was developed in the late 1950s and is used by around 30 countries.
Design & development
The system uses 35 mm auto cannons, which were originally designated 353 MK and are now designated as the KD series. The same KD series 35 mm cannons are used in the Leopard 1 based GepardFlugabwehrkanonenpanzer Gepard
The Flugabwehrkanonenpanzer Gepard is an autonomous, all-weather-capable German self-propelled anti-aircraft gun . It was developed in the 1960s and fielded in the 1970s, and has been upgraded several times with the latest electronics...
and Type 74 tank
Type 74
The is a main battle tank of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force . It was built by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries as a replacement for the earlier Type 61. It was based on the best features of a number of contemporary designs, placing it in the same class as the US M60 or German Leopard 1. Like...
based Type 87 SPAAG
Type 87 Self-Propelled Anti-Aircraft Gun
The is a Japanese air defense weapon built around the Oerlikon 35 mm twin cannon system used on the Gepard tank. The system uses a modified Type 74 tank chassis...
and T-55
T-55
The T-54 and T-55 tanks were a series of main battle tanks designed in the Soviet Union. The first T-54 prototype appeared in March 1945, just before the end of the Second World War. The T-54 entered full production in 1947 and became the main tank for armored units of the Soviet Army, armies of...
based Marksman
Marksman anti-aircraft system
Marksman is a British anti-aircraft weapon system, consisting of a turret, a Marconi Series 400 radar and two Swiss 35 mm Oerlikon autocannons...
self-propelled anti-aircraft guns. The system could be paired with the off-gun Super Fledermaus fire control radar, which in the late 1970s was upgraded to the Skyguard system.
In 1980 an upgraded model, the GDF-002 was produced, which featured an improved sight, and the ability to be directed by an off-gun digital control system. A few years later a third version of the system was being produced, the GDF-003, which was broadly similar to the GDF-002, but included some enhancements like self-lubricating weapons and integrated protective covers.
In 1985 a further upgraded model was produced, the GDF-005, which was introduced, featuring the Gunking 3D computer-controlled sight with an integrated laser range-finder and digital control system.
The guns are usually transported by a 5-tonne 6×6 truck.
KD series cannons
The final design was the Mk 323, which was developed in two variants, a belt fed version the KDA, and a linkless version the KDC, fed by five round clips. Both designs are gas operated with a propped lock locking system.
Super Fledermaus
J band
J band can refer to two different regions of the electromagnetic spectrum, in the radio and near-infrared.-Radio:The J band is the range of radio frequencies from 10 GHz to 20 GHz in the electromagnetic spectrum. This is equal to wave lengths between...
, also with a range of 15 km. It was also used as the fire control system on the Gepard SPAAG
Flugabwehrkanonenpanzer Gepard
The Flugabwehrkanonenpanzer Gepard is an autonomous, all-weather-capable German self-propelled anti-aircraft gun . It was developed in the 1960s and fielded in the 1970s, and has been upgraded several times with the latest electronics...
.
Skyguard
A typical battery using the Skyguard consists of two twin 35 mm gun platforms with a single Skyguard fire control radar.
History
- 1982: The system was used by ArgentineArgentinaArgentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires...
forces during the Falklands WarFalklands WarThe Falklands War , also called the Falklands Conflict or Falklands Crisis, was fought in 1982 between Argentina and the United Kingdom over the disputed Falkland Islands and South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands...
. The Skyguard radar system was employed by the 601 Antiaircraft Artillery GroupGADA 601The 601st Anti-Aircraft Artillery Group , historically known as GADA 601 is the main anti-aircraft artillery unit of the Argentine Army. Its headquarters are based just north of Mar del Plata. Its name was changed to GAA 601 Teniente General Pablo Ricchieri in 1999...
and the Super Fledermaus by the 1st Group of the Argentinian Air Force. The Skyguard succeeded in shooting down a Sea HarrierBAE Sea HarrierThe British Aerospace Sea Harrier is a naval VTOL/STOVL jet fighter, reconnaissance and attack aircraft, a development of the Hawker Siddeley Harrier. It first entered service with the Royal Navy in April 1980 as the Sea Harrier FRS1 and became informally known as the "Shar"...
(XZ450) on 4 May 1982 at Goose GreenGoose GreenGoose Green is a settlement in Lafonia on East Falkland in the Falkland Islands. It lies on Choiseul Sound, on the east side of the island's central isthmus, south-southwest of Darwin. With a population of about 70, it is the second largest settlement of the Falkland Islands.Goose Green has a shop...
. This resulted in a shift of tactics, so that British aircraft largely operated outside the weapons system's range. An RAF Harrier (XZ988) was shot down by the cannons again over Goose Green on 27 May. The system was also employed in direct fire mode against British paratroopers during the Battle of Goose GreenBattle of Goose GreenThe Battle of Goose Green was an engagement of the Falklands War between British and Argentine forces. Goose Green and its neighbour Darwin are settlements on East Falkland in the Falkland Islands. They lie on Choiseul Sound on the east side of the island's central isthmus...
. The Skyguard radars were targeted by the RAFRoyal Air ForceThe Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...
during Operation Black BuckOperation Black BuckDuring the Falklands War, Operations Black Buck 1 to Black Buck 7 were a series of seven extremely long-range ground attack missions by Royal Air Force Vulcan bombers planned against Argentine positions in the Falkland Islands...
on May 31 and June 3. One Skyguard radar was badly damaged by shrapnel from the Shrike missile strike as a result. Another Harrier (XW919) was presumably hit by 35 mm splinters over Sapper HillSapper HillSapper Hill is on East Falkland, Falkland Islands, . It is just to the south of Stanley, and is heavily mined from the Falklands War. It is named after a company of sappers who were based at Moody Brook barracks.-Falklands War:...
on June 12 and sustained heavy damage. The aircraft was later declared out of service. There was a further direct-fire mission conducted against British troops on Wireless RidgeBattle of Wireless RidgeThe Battle of Wireless Ridge was an engagement of the Falklands War which took place on the night of 13 June and 14 June 1982, between British and Argentine forces during the advance towards the Argentine-occupied capital of the Falklands Stanley. Wireless Ridge was one of seven strategic hills...
, just hours before the Argentinian surrender. After being disabled by their operators the guns were captured by British forces. 15 guns and five Skyguard units were captured and later refurbished by BMARC in Britain. 12 guns and 4 Skyguard radars were put into British service operated by the Royal Auxiliary Air ForceRoyal Auxiliary Air ForceThe Royal Auxiliary Air Force , originally the Auxiliary Air Force , is the voluntary active duty reserve element of the Royal Air Force, providing a primary reinforcement capability for the regular service...
2729 Squadron, based at RAF WaddingtonRAF WaddingtonRAF Waddington is a Royal Air Force station in Lincolnshire, England.-Formation:Waddington opened as a Royal Flying Corps flying training station in 1916 until 1920, when the station went into care and maintenance....
The RAuxAF used these guns and radar for about 10 years but defence cuts forced disbanding of the very popular and reliable system.
- 12 October 2007: Nine South African National Defence ForceSouth African National Defence ForceThe South African National Defence Force is the armed forces of South Africa. The military as it exists today was created in 1994, following South Africa's first post-apartheid national elections and the adoption of a new constitution...
(SANDF) soldiers were killed and 14 injured by the system during a training exercise at the SANDF Battle School at LohatlaLohatlaLohatla is a training area of the South African South African National Defence Force. It is located in the Northern Cape province of South Africa....
in the Northen Cape province. A line of 8 cannons were engaging a tank hulk in manual ground fire with the guns at low elevation and the maximum traverse of the barrels secured by safety poles and tethers. The rightmost gun jammed while firing and had to be repaired by technicians. Shortly after the gun was cleared to fire again, the gun malfunctioned, entered automatic mode, broke through the traversal-restriction safety mechanisms and began firing, striking the other guns along the firing line. Initial reports suggested that the malfunction was caused when the gun underwent an unexplained gang fire of the explosive 35mm ammunition in the magazines, causing the turret to swing uncontrolled through 360-degrees firing wildly until it exhausted its remaining ammo. A statement issued by the South African Defense Minister Mosiuoa LekotaMosiuoa LekotaMosiuoa Gerard Patrick Lekota is a South African politician who currently serves as the President and Leader of the Congress of the People since 16 December 2008. Previously, under President Thabo Mbeki, he served in the Cabinet of South Africa as Minister of Defence from 17 June 1999 to 25...
, however, stated that the gun had inexplicably traversed 90-degrees to the left, breaking through the safety mechanisms, and fired only a 1/8 second long burst, striking all of the soldiers located on the right hand side of their guns. The accident report published by the SANDF in January 2008 blamed "undetected mechanical failure—which the manufacturers of an anti-aircraft gun allegedly kept secret". The report says the gun malfunctioned because a spring pin, which is the size of a matchstick, sheared. Other sources blamed poor training and safety procedures in the SANDF.
Ammunition
| NATO designation | HEI-T | HEI | HEI(BF) | SAPHEI-T | FAPDS | TP-T/TP | AHEAD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Projectile weight | 535 g (18.9 oz) | 550 g (19.4 oz) | 550 g (19.4 oz) | 550 g (19.4 oz) | 375 g (13.2 oz) | 550 g (19.4 oz) | 750 g (26.5 oz) |
| Explosive | 98 g (3.5 oz) | 112 g (4 oz) | 70 g (2.5 oz) | 22 g (0.776027166312463 oz) | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Propellant | 330 g (11.6 oz) | ||||||
| Complete round | 1565 g (55.2 oz) | 1580 g (55.7 oz) | 1580 g (55.7 oz) | 1552 g (54.7 oz) | 1440 g (50.8 oz) | 1580 g (55.7 oz) | 1780 g (62.8 oz) |
| Muzzle velocity | 1175 m/s | 1175 m/s | 1175 m/s | 1175 m/s | 1440 m/s | 1175 m/s | 1050 m/s |
- Designation:
- HEI: High Explosive Incendiary (-T—Tracer)
- SAPHEI: Semi-Armour Piercing High Explosive Incendiary
- FAPDS: Frangible Armour Piercing Discarding SabotKinetic energy penetratorA kinetic energy penetrator is a type of ammunition which, like a bullet, does not contain explosives and uses kinetic energy to penetrate the target....
- AHEAD: Anti-missile rounds, that fire "152 heavy tungsten metal sub-projectiles".
- TP: Target Practice (-T—Tracer)
Versions
- GDF-001 / '2 ZLA/353 MK: XABA sight
- GDF-002: Introduced in 1980. Improved Ferranti sight and digital data bus. The gun has 112 rounds ready and 126 in reserve (238 rounds total)
- GDF-003: Minor enhancements including protective covers and automatic weapon lubrication.
- GDF-005: Introduced in 1985. Fitted with Gunking 3D computer controlled sight with a laser range finder and digital fire control system. Integrated power supply and diagnostics. 280 rounds on the gun and an automatic re-loading system.
- GDF-006: GDF-001/002/003 upgraded with AHEAD system.
- GDF-007: GDF-005 upgraded with AHEAD system.
- AHEAD: An upgrade for the GDF series guns built around a special projectile which explodes at a pre-calculated point in front of the target sending a spinning cone of 152 tungsten sub-projectiles at the target. Used by Canada, Greece, Oman, Spain and Chile (unconfirmed).
- GepardFlugabwehrkanonenpanzer GepardThe Flugabwehrkanonenpanzer Gepard is an autonomous, all-weather-capable German self-propelled anti-aircraft gun . It was developed in the 1960s and fielded in the 1970s, and has been upgraded several times with the latest electronics...
: Self propelled version of the system based around the Leopard 1. - MarksmanMarksman anti-aircraft systemMarksman is a British anti-aircraft weapon system, consisting of a turret, a Marconi Series 400 radar and two Swiss 35 mm Oerlikon autocannons...
: Self propelled version of the system based around the Marksman turret, which could be fitted on numerous tank chassies. The only model that went into production was a version based on the T-55 chassis for Finland, 10 systems in use. - Type 87Type 87 Self-Propelled Anti-Aircraft GunThe is a Japanese air defense weapon built around the Oerlikon 35 mm twin cannon system used on the Gepard tank. The system uses a modified Type 74 tank chassis...
: Japanese SPAAG using the system. - PZA LoaraPZA LoaraThe PZA Loara is a Polish armored radar-directed self-propelled anti-aircraft gun system. The original PZA Loara prototype was based on the chassis of the T-72 MBT...
: PolishPolandPoland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
SPAAG based on the PT-91PT-91The PT-91 Twardy is a Polish main battle tank. It is a development of the T-72M1 and first entered service in 1995...
tank - Type 90: Chinese licensed copy of GDF-002
- Samavat: Iranian version of these guns with night vision sight and Used with Skyguard & Super Fledermaus FC radars.
- Amoun: Egyptian version of Skyguard & Sparrow SAM.
Operators
- 50+ GDF-002 units, XABA sight used: 74 GDF-005 Army, Air Force 18 GDF-005: 12 GDF-005 units: 38 GDF-001 with updated Super Fledermaus and Brazilian made Skyguard FC radars: 20 GDF-005 units and 10 Skyguard FC radars, to be phased out. AHEAD modified.: 24 GDF-005 units.: licensed copy of GDF-002 as the Type 90, 150+ units with Skyguard FC radar: 30 GDF-005 units used with Skyguard and Aspide SAM: 30 GDF-003 units: 72 Amoun units used with Skyguard and Sparrow SAM: 16 units. Known as 35 ITK 88: On the Flugabwehrkanonenpanzer GepardFlugabwehrkanonenpanzer GepardThe Flugabwehrkanonenpanzer Gepard is an autonomous, all-weather-capable German self-propelled anti-aircraft gun . It was developed in the 1960s and fielded in the 1970s, and has been upgraded several times with the latest electronics...
(self-propelled anti-aircraft gun): 44 GDF-002 units used with Skyguard and Aspide SAM: 92 GDF-002 units. Iran claims it is producing/refurbishing these guns. Used with Skyguard & Super Fledermaus FC radars.: some 70 GDF-001 units, used with updated Super Fledermaus FC radars. Made under a joint venture with Japan Steel WorksJapan Steel Worksis a steel manufacturer founded in Muroran, Hokkaidō, Japan in 1907.-History:Japan Steel Works was set up with investment from British firms Vickers and Armstrong Whitworth. During World War II, they manufactured what was then the world's largest gun barrel to be fitted on the battleship Yamato...
for the 35mm gun and Mitsubishi Electric CorporationMitsubishi Electricis a multinational electronics and information technology company headquartered in Tokyo, Japan. It is one of the core companies of the Mitsubishi Group....
for the rest of the system 52 On the Type 87Type 87 Self-Propelled Anti-Aircraft GunThe is a Japanese air defense weapon built around the Oerlikon 35 mm twin cannon system used on the Gepard tank. The system uses a modified Type 74 tank chassis...
(self-propelled anti-aircraft gun): 36 GDF-003 units: 12 GDF-005 (Amoun) units, used with Skyguard and Sparrow SAM: 28 GDF-003 units: 10 GDF-005 units AHEAD modified: estimated 200 GDF-005 units, 60 units AHEAD modified: 43 Flugabwehrkanonenpanzer GepardFlugabwehrkanonenpanzer GepardThe Flugabwehrkanonenpanzer Gepard is an autonomous, all-weather-capable German self-propelled anti-aircraft gun . It was developed in the 1960s and fielded in the 1970s, and has been upgraded several times with the latest electronics...
systems and 72 GDF-003 units: 128 GDF-005 modified units. Used with Skyguard FC radars.: 34× GDF-001 + 24× GDF-002 units: some 100 GDF-002 + 48 modified GDF-005 units: 92 GDF-005 units, being upgraded to 007 standard. Skydor and Skyguard FC radars.: 45 GDF-007 modified units (from Total of 264 GDF-001/002 units): 24 Skyguard Fire Control radars linked to GDF-003 35 mm twin guns. Upgraded to GDF-006 to fire AHEAD rounds since 2009.: some 120 GDF-002 units: 30 GDF-005 units: Total of 15 GDF-002 35mm twin guns were captured during the Falklands WarFalklands WarThe Falklands War , also called the Falklands Conflict or Falklands Crisis, was fought in 1982 between Argentina and the United Kingdom over the disputed Falkland Islands and South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands...
along with 6 Skyguard and one Super Fledermaus FC Radars. One of the Skyguard radars was damaged from a Shrike missile strike during the conflict. Currently four Skyguard fire control systems for these guns are being used to catch UK military aircraft exceeding flight restrictions over residential areas. GDF-002 guns now in storage.
See also
- List of artillery
- List of anti-aircraft artillery
- List of artillery of Germany
- List of artillery of Switzerland
- Oerlikon Millennium 35 mm Naval Revolver Gun SystemOerlikon Millennium 35 mm Naval Revolver Gun SystemThe Oerlikon Millennium 35mm Naval Gun System is a Close-in weapon system designed by Oerlikon for mounting on ships. It is based on the new Oerlikon 35 mm revolver cannon land based Air defense system, and uses AHEAD ammunition...
related development