The dominance of drones in Ukraine is giving rise to another trend: Franken-systems. Whether it is decades-old, American-made HAWK air defense missiles mounted to Soviet-era launchers or World War I and II era machine guns mounted together, the drive to down drones created innovative solutions on the battlefield.
But Rheinmetall, one of the largest defense contractors in Europe, may have the best Franken-system yet: a Frankentank.
It is still conceptual at this point, but Rheinmetall released a mockup of what the solution could look like: a Skyranger short range air defense (SHORAD) module mounted to the chassis of a Leopard 1 main battle tank (MBT).
Built during the Cold War, Leopard 1s are not the newest MBTs, but they are still in use. More importantly, they are maneuverable. Ukraine has well over 100 with more on the way. The decades-old tank chassis could be great delivery platforms for one of the newest air defense systems available.
Bjorn Bernhard, the head of land systems at Rheinmetall, announced the plans to augment the older tanks with the Skyranger 35 turret. He spoke to Bild, a German newspaper, while touring a new top-secret workshop Rheinmetall recently opened in western Ukraine.
The Skyranger uses the widely popular 35mm revolver cannon made by Oerlikon. It can be equipped with a number of different sensors, depending on mission parameters. With modifications, the same turret can also accommodate a 30mm gun, which then leaves enough room to attach a twin launcher for Stinger missiles or similar munitions.
Skyranger also makes use of Oerlikon’s “AHEAD” ammunition. It’s an air-burst round, rapidly releasing waves of small projectiles to take down enemy threats. Air-burst ammunition also helps in reducing the amount of collateral damage on the ground from falling debris.
In its 35mm configuration, Rheinmetall’s air defense system is effective against drones, rockets, mortars and even some missiles out to a range of about two and a half miles. The 30mm gun configuration is effective to about 1.8 miles.
Skyranger is a system that could fill a critical need right now for Ukraine. The modular design means troops can upgrade Skyranger quickly. Mounting it to Leopard 1s means it could move into the field fairly quickly as well.
Of course, Rheinmetall would like to see its Skyranger turrets on as many vehicles as possible. That is why the company makes variations that fit the more modern Leopard 2 tanks, the Lynx infantry fighting vehicle, as well as the Boxer wheeled armored vehicle.
Rheinmetall also uses the Oerlikon revolver cannon in its SKYNEX air defense system, which is essentially a Skyranger turret mounted to the back of a truck. Ukraine has at least two of those systems already and could get more.
