How the Skyranger 35 Delivers Advanced Air Defence: Features, Firepower, and Mobility

Rheinmetall has officially unveiled the Skyranger 35 for the first time at the Defence and Security Equipment International (DSEI) 2025 exhibition in the United Kingdom, mounted on the formidable Lynx KF41 infantry fighting vehicle platform. This debut marks a significant milestone in the evolution of mobile air defence systems, showcasing a modular and highly adaptable solution designed to counter a wide spectrum of aerial threats. The Skyranger 35 is engineered to provide rapid, precise, and sustained protection for both static and mobile assets in modern combat environments where the airspace is increasingly contested.

Skyranger 35. Photo: Rheinmetall

The primary function of the Skyranger 35 is to serve as a mobile and modular air defence system capable of engaging a diverse range of airborne targets. It has been purpose-built to intercept and destroy drones, artillery shells, cruise missiles, helicopters, and low-flying aircraft with exceptional accuracy. By securing air corridors up to a range of 8 kilometres, it offers a protective shield for advancing forces, critical infrastructure, and high-value assets in the field.

At the heart of its detection and targeting capabilities are four AESA S-band antennas, each covering a 90-degree sector to ensure complete 360-degree situational awareness. This radar array is complemented by a Ku-band fire control radar that provides precise tracking and targeting data for the weapon system. An advanced electro-optical package is mounted atop the turret, enabling the crew to visually identify and track targets even in challenging weather or low-visibility conditions.

The Skyranger 35’s primary armament is the Oerlikon 35 mm revolver cannon, a proven and highly reliable weapon system renowned for its rate of fire and accuracy. The cannon measures 7.8 metres in overall length when travelling, with a barrel length of 3.15 metres, and is mounted on a carriage with four wheels and outriggers for stability during firing. Operated by a crew of three, the gas-operated mechanism delivers a rate of fire of 550 rounds per minute, with a muzzle velocity of 1,175 metres per second when firing High-Explosive Incendiary Tracer (HEI-T) ammunition.

The weapon’s elevation range spans from −5 degrees to +92 degrees, allowing it to engage targets from ground level to high-altitude threats with ease. Full 360-degree traverse ensures that no sector of the battlefield is left unprotected, and the system’s effective firing ceiling reaches up to 4,000 metres. This combination of speed, range, and precision makes the Skyranger 35 a formidable countermeasure against both conventional and emerging aerial threats.

Mounted on the Lynx KF41 chassis, the Skyranger 35 benefits from the mobility, protection, and versatility of one of the most advanced infantry fighting vehicle platforms in the world. The Lynx KF41 has a combat weight ranging from 30 to 45 tonnes, depending on configuration and armour packages. Its length varies between 7.22 and 7.73 metres, with a width of 3.6 metres and a height of 3.3 metres to the top of the turret when configured as an IFV.

The vehicle accommodates a crew of three, with space for an additional six to eight dismounts, depending on mission requirements. Its steel armour, supplemented by various applique options, provides robust protection against ballistic and explosive threats. The modular armour system allows operators to tailor the vehicle’s protection level to the operational environment, balancing survivability with mobility.

Powering the Lynx KF41 is the Liebherr D976 I-6 18-litre diesel engine, available in configurations delivering either 750 horsepower (563 kW) or an upgraded 1,140 horsepower (850 kW). This power is transmitted through either the Allison X300 Series transmission, as used in the KF31 variant, or the Renk HSWL 256 fully automatic transmission for the KF41. The suspension system employs swinging arms with torsion bars and shock absorbers, ensuring stability and ride comfort across varied terrain.

The vehicle’s fuel capacity exceeds 700 litres, with tanks located in the rear sponsons and an additional reserve tank in the engine bay, enabling an operational range of up to 500 kilometres. On-road, the Lynx KF41 can achieve speeds between 65 and 70 kilometres per hour, allowing the Skyranger 35 to rapidly reposition in response to shifting threats. This mobility is critical for modern air defence, where static systems are increasingly vulnerable to precision strikes.

The integration of the Skyranger 35 with the Lynx KF41 chassis creates a synergy between firepower, protection, and manoeuvrability. The result is a platform capable of accompanying mechanised formations into contested areas while providing continuous air defence coverage. This capability is particularly valuable in expeditionary operations, where forces must be prepared to counter a wide range of aerial threats without relying on fixed infrastructure.

In addition to its kinetic capabilities, the Skyranger 35 can be integrated with networked command and control systems, enabling it to operate as part of a layered air defence network. This allows it to share targeting data with other sensors and weapon systems, enhancing situational awareness and enabling coordinated engagements. Such integration is essential in modern warfare, where speed of information and response can determine the outcome of an engagement.

The system’s modular design also allows for future upgrades, ensuring that it can adapt to evolving threats over its service life. This includes the potential integration of directed-energy weapons, advanced missile systems, or enhanced sensor suites as technology matures. By building adaptability into the design, Rheinmetall ensures that the Skyranger 35 remains relevant in the face of rapidly changing aerial warfare dynamics.

Operationally, the Skyranger 35 is designed to be deployed in a variety of roles, from protecting forward operating bases to escorting convoys and securing key terrain. Its ability to engage both small, agile drones and larger, faster-moving aircraft makes it a versatile asset for commanders. In an era where unmanned aerial systems are proliferating on the battlefield, such versatility is increasingly vital.

The choice of the Oerlikon 35 mm cannon reflects a balance between rate of fire, ammunition capacity, and destructive power. The high muzzle velocity ensures that rounds reach their target quickly, reducing the window for evasive manoeuvres. Combined with advanced fire control systems, this allows the Skyranger 35 to achieve high hit probabilities even against small, fast-moving targets.

The ammunition types available for the Oerlikon 35 mm include programmable airburst munitions, which can detonate at a precise distance from the target to maximise damage against drones and other lightly armoured threats. This capability significantly increases the effectiveness of each shot, reducing the number of rounds required to neutralise a target. Such efficiency is critical in sustained operations where ammunition resupply may be limited.

From a logistical perspective, the Skyranger 35 benefits from the commonality of the Lynx KF41 platform with other vehicles in service. This reduces the burden on maintenance and supply chains, as spare parts and trained personnel can be shared across multiple vehicle types. The modular nature of the system also simplifies training, as crews can transition between different configurations with minimal additional instruction.

In terms of survivability, the combination of the Lynx KF41’s armour and the Skyranger 35’s ability to engage threats at range provides a layered defence for the crew. By neutralising threats before they can close in, the system reduces the likelihood of sustaining damage. Should the vehicle come under direct attack, its armour and mobility offer a strong chance of survival and continued operation.

The unveiling of the Skyranger 35 at DSEI 2025 has generated considerable interest among military planners and defence analysts. Its blend of mobility, firepower, and advanced sensor technology positions it as a leading contender in the field of mobile air defence. As nations seek to modernise their forces to counter emerging threats, systems like the Skyranger 35 are likely to play an increasingly prominent role.

Rheinmetall’s decision to mount the Skyranger 35 on the Lynx KF41 reflects a broader trend towards modular, multi-role platforms in modern militaries. By leveraging a common chassis for multiple roles, armed forces can reduce costs, increase flexibility, and streamline logistics. This approach also allows for rapid reconfiguration of forces to meet changing operational requirements.