Oerlikon GDF
Autocannon From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Autocannon From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Oerlikon GDF[4] or 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 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.[5]
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Oerlikon GDF | |
---|---|
Type | Autocannon |
Place of origin | Switzerland |
Service history | |
In service | 1963–Present[1] |
Used by | See Operators |
Wars | Iran-Iraq War Falklands War |
Production history | |
Designer | Oerlikon |
Manufacturer | Oerlikon |
Specifications | |
Mass | 6,700 kg (14,800 lb) (with ammunition) |
Length | 7.8 m (25 ft 7 in) (travelling) |
Barrel length | 3.15 m (10 ft 4 in) (barrel) |
Width | 2.26 m (7 ft 5 in) (travelling) |
Height | 2.6 m (8 ft 6 in) (travelling) |
Crew | 3[2] |
Shell | Complete round: 35×228mm, 1.565 kg (3 lb 7 oz) |
Caliber | 35 mm (1.4 in) |
Action | Gas-operated[3] |
Carriage | 4 wheels with outriggers |
Elevation | −5°/+92° |
Traverse | Full 360° |
Rate of fire | 550 rounds/min (per barrel) |
Muzzle velocity | 1,175 m/s (3,850 ft/s) (HEI-T) |
Effective firing range | Ceiling: 4,000 m (13,000 ft) |
The system uses twin autocannons, firing 35×228mm NATO-standard ammunition. It was originally designated 353 MK and is now designated as the KD series. The same KD series 35mm cannons are used in the Leopard 1 based Gepard and Type 74 tank based Type 87 SPAAG and Marksman self-propelled anti-aircraft guns (SPAAG). The system could be paired with the off-gun (remote) Super Fledermaus fire control radar, which in the late 1970s was upgraded to the Skyguard system. The weapons were aimed either directly, by way of an advanced sighting system, or automatically, by locking onto the target with radar. Early models carried 112 rounds ready to fire, and an additional 126 stored on the chassis as reloads. Later versions with automated reloading carry 280 rounds total. A typical engagement burst is 28 rounds.[4]
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.
A self-propelled concept, the GDF-001 Escorter 35 existed.[6][7][8]
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 GDF-005 also introduced an automated ammunition-handling system, which eliminated the need for the two reloaders, reducing the crew from 3 to 1.[4]
The guns are usually transported by a 5-tonne 6×6 truck.
Development of the KD series cannon began around 1952 soon after 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 seven-round clips. Both designs are gas-operated, with a propped-lock locking system.[9]
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 is a fire control system introduced in the 1960s to replace the Contraves Super Fledermaus system in the Swiss Air Force. It is produced by Oerlikon-Buehrle (now Rheinmetall Air Defence). Updated version were fielded in 1975, 1995 and 2010. It's an all weather low to medium altitude (up to 3,000 m) air defence system with the maximum effective distance of 4,000 m.
The Skyguard fire control system performs air surveillance, target acquisition, calculation of the derivative-action values and control of the twin 35 mm guns. Pulse doppler search radar, pulse doppler tracking radar and co-axial television camera are mounted on the roof of the towed trailer. Skyguard is operated by four people. The radar is deployed quickly through the use of hydraulic systems for antenna erection. The trailer houses the crew of two and a small power generator.
A typical fire unit consists of two twin 35 mm gun platforms with a single Skyguard fire control radar. Skyguard systems can also incorporate an optional SAM module based on the GDF's mount and radar system but with the guns replaced by four missile canisters. It can be armed with either AIM-7 Sparrow, RIM-7 Sea Sparrow or Aspide missiles.
The Skyguard radar system was used in the German Air Force for surveillance of low-altitude flight zones. In Taiwanese service, the system includes the Sky Sentinel radar, one 35 mm Oerlikon twin gun and an AIM-7 Sparrow Missile Launcher. Greek service the Skyguard system with RIM-7M is known as the VELOS.[10] In Spanish service, Toledo is a Skyguard system with Aspide launchers where the fire control unit has been replaced with Skydor from Navantia.
NATO designation | HE-T/HEI-T | HE/HEI | HEI(BF) | SAPHEI/SAPHEI-T | APDS/FAPDS | TP-T/TP | AHEAD | ATOM 35mm |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Projectile weight | 535 g (18.9 oz) | 550 g (19 oz) | 550 g (19 oz) | 550 g (19 oz) | 375 g (13.2 oz) | 550 g (19 oz) | 750 g (26 oz) | n/a |
Explosive | 98 g (3.5 oz) | 112 g (4.0 oz) | 70 g (2.5 oz) | 22 g (0.78 oz) | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a |
Propellant | 330 g (12 oz) | n/a | ||||||
Complete round | 1,565 g (55.2 oz) | 1,580 g (56 oz) | 1,580 g (56 oz) | 1,552 g (54.7 oz) | 1,440 g (51 oz) | 1,580 g (56 oz) | 1,780 g (63 oz) | 1,750 g (62 oz) |
Muzzle velocity | 1,175 m/s (3,850 ft/s) | 1,175 m/s (3,850 ft/s) | 1,175 m/s (3,850 ft/s) | 1,175 m/s (3,850 ft/s) | 1,440 m/s (4,700 ft/s) | 1,175 m/s (3,850 ft/s) | 1,050 m/s (3,400 ft/s) | 1,020 m/s (3,300 ft/s) |
Norwegian Nammo, in addition to Oerlikon, supplies at least some variants of this ammunition.[29][30] Norwegian ammunition was supplied to Ukraine in 2022 for use in the GDF guns in its Flakpanzer Gepard anti-aircraft systems, but it was found not to be compatible, requiring modification.[31]
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