Oerlikon 35 mm twin cannon

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Oerlikon 35 mm twin cannon is a towed anti-aircraft gun made by Oerlikon-Contraves. 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.

The system uses 35 mm autocannons, 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 tank based Gepard 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-finded and digital control system.

1 Super Fledermaus
2 Skyguard
3 History
4 Specifications
5 Ammunition
6 Versions
7 Users
8 Notes
9 References

[edit] Super Fledermaus

The Super Fledermaus' fire control system was designed and built by the then separate Contraves company. It consists of a 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.

[edit] Skyguard

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 co-axial television. The trailer also houses the crew of two and the small petrol generator.

A typical battery using the Skyguard consists of two twin 35 mm gun platforms with a single Skyguard fire control radar.

[edit] History

1982 The system was used by Argentine forces during the Falklands War. Both the Skyguard and Super Fledermaus systems were used, they succeeded in shooting down a Sea Harrier (XZ450) on 4 May 1982. This resulted in a shift of tactics, so that British aircraft operated outside the weapons system's range.

[edit] Specifications

For GDF-003 gun system

Barrel length: 3.15 m.
Carriage: 4 wheels with outriggers.
Weight: 6,700 kg (with ammunition).
Length: 7.8 m (travelling).
Width: 2.26 m (travelling).
Height: 2.6 m (travelling).
Elevation: +92° to -5°.
Traverse: 360°.
Rate of fire: 550 round per minute (per barrel)
Ammunition: 112 rounds ready, 128 in reserve.
Effective range: 4000 m (vertical).
Towing vehicle: 5 tonne 6x6 truck.

[edit] Ammunition

NATO designation	HEI-T	HEI	HEI(BF)	SAPHEI-T	FAPDS	TP-T/TP	AHEAD
Projectile weight	0.535 kg	0.55 kg	0.55 kg	0.55 kg	0.375 kg	0.55 kg	0.75 kg
Explosive	0.098kg	0.112 kg	0.07 kg	0.022 kg	n/a	n/a	n/a
Propellant	0.33 kg
Complete round	1.565 kg	1.58 kg	1.58 kg	1.552 kg	1.44 kg	1.58 kg	1.78 kg
Muzzle velocity	1175 m/s	1175 m/s	1175 m/s	1175 m/s	1440 m/s	1175 m/s	1050 m/s

[edit] Versions

GDF-001 / '2 ZLA/353 MK XABA sight
GDF-002 Introduced in 1980. Improved Ferranti sight and digital data bus.
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.
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 shot gun blast of 152 tungsten sub-projectiles at the target. Used by Canada, Oman and Chile (unconfirmed).
Flugabwehrkanonenpanzer Gepard Self propelled version of the system based around the Leopard tank.
Marksman Self propelled version of the system based around the T-55 tank.
Type 87 Japanese SPAAG using the system.
PZA Loara Polish SPAAG based on the PT-91 tank

[edit] Users

Argentina, Austria, Bahrain, Brazil, Cameroon, Canada, Chile, China, Cyprus, Ecuador, Egypt, Finland, Greece, Iran, Japan, South Korea, Kuwait, Malaysia, Oman, Pakistan, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Switzerland, Taiwan, Turkey, UAE, United Kingdom ^[1]

[edit] Notes

^ Several GDF-002 systems were captured during the Falklands War. Currently the fire control systems from these systems are being used to catch UK military aircraft exceeding flight restrictions over residential areas [1].