Source: inukraine.official on Instagram
Germany, as part of its continued military support to Ukraine, has pledged four Rheinmetall Oerlikon Skynex® air defense systems. Of the four, one was delivered in January 2024 with the second in April 2024. The third and fourth systems have yet to be received. Skynex® is what is termed a SHORAD (Short-Range Air Defense) system and the Ukrainian military has deployed them as part of the air defense network that protects critical infrastructure. The first public appearance of Skynex® in Ukrainian service occurred when the Ukrainian Air Force released a video showing the system in action in September 2024 and the image here, a screen capture from a video, appeared in social media in July 2025. The Skynex® system is designed to be modular and a benefit to Ukraine, given the varied sensors made by different manufacturers deployed by the Ukrainian military, is that Skynex® is compatible with some of them.
The Skynex® system, as offered by Rheinmetall, consists of four components. The first is the Oerlikon Skymaster® BMS (Battle Management System). Sometimes referred to as a C2 system (Command and Control), the BMS takes in data from radar/sensor systems, processes that data, and outputs a COP (Common Operational Picture) to commanders. From this information, situational awareness is provided, decisions can be quickly made, and coordination can be maintained between subordinate units. The Skymaster® BMS is specifically designed to manage both tactical and strategic air defense networks though it can be adapted for other roles based on requirements of the purchaser.
The second piece of Skynex® is the Oerlikon X-TAR3D® tactical acquisition radar. The X-TAR3D, a phased-array pulse Doppler radar, is situated within a square metal container which is placed upon a solid surface, elevation/stabilization jacks on each corner of the container. The container houses all of the apparatus needed to operate the radar. The radar itself works in the X-band frequency range which is 8 to 12 gigahertz. This is a short wavelength but offers high target resolution along with the added benefit of needing a small antenna that makes concealment easier. The X-TAR3D is also a 3-dimensional radar, meaning it provides not only range and azimuth information but also elevation data. The X-TAR3D can track up to 16 targets simultaneously and it can identify aircraft, helicopters, cruise missiles, UAVs, and even unguided rockets and mortar bombs. Maximum range is 31 miles.
The third component within the Skynex® system is the Oerlikon MSU (Multi-Sensor Unit). As the name suggests, the MSU is packed with various sensor suites and search radars. Like the radar, the MSU is within a metal container, approximately the size of a 10 foot standard shipping container. The roof of the container has two hatches which, upon being opened, the MSU is raised up and out. The suites consist of 3-dimension AESA radars (Active Electronically Scanned Array), panoramic EO (Electro-Optical) sensors (in a remote controlled turret atop the MSU), ECCM (Electronic Counter-Countermeasures), clutter mapping capability (which allows the radars to ignore stationary objects), and the ability to use either active or passive target tracking functions. The MSU is thus able to detect a host of threats in any weather conditions, day or night, in a 360 degree radius. Maximum detection range is 19 miles. The MSU fully interfaces with the Skymaster® BMS. The MSU can be upgraded with IFF (Identification Friend or Foe), additional ELINT sensors (Electronic Intelligence), and zenith radar. The latter is a specific type of radar that operates in the Ka-band (34.8 GHz) and is typically used to measure atmospheric conditions.
The final piece of Skynex® is the Oerlikon Revolver Gun® Mk.3. Chambered for the 35x228mm round (which, as a note, is also used by the Flugabwehrkanonenpanzer Gepard that is in service with the Ukrainian military), the Revolver Gun Mk.3 can spit out 1,000 rounds per minute though the more regular rate is a long burst of 200 rounds per minute. The gun sits within a unmanned turret situated on a ground plate. The turret can rotate a full 360 degrees at a rate of 115 degrees per second and so this means the turret can revolve fully in 3.1 seconds. Gun elevation is a maximum of 85 degrees while the maximum depression is 10 degrees. Elevation speed is 57 degrees per second and so from 0 degrees, it can reach its maximum elevation in 1.5 seconds. Ready ammunition capacity is 252 rounds. The Revolver Gun can fire a wide array of 35mm ammunition to include Oerlikon's AHEAD KETF (Kinetic Energy Time Fuze) round. The “AHEAD” comes from the fact the round doesn't directly strike the target but instead, it creates a cone shaped cloud of 152 cylindrical, aerodynamic tungsten alloy submunitions (each with a weight of .12 of an ounce) ahead of the target. The fuze is set electronically as the round leaves the barrel. Other ammunition types include HEI (High-Explosive Incendiary), HEI-T (High-Explosive Incendiary Tracer), FAP (Frangible Armor Piercing), and TP-T (Target Practice Tracer). The typical range for the 35x228mm round is 3.4 miles. The weapon is also able to engage in C-RAM fire missions. Standing for Counter-Rocket, Artillery, and Mortar, this means the Revolver Cannon Mk.3 can engage incoming unguided rockets, artillery rounds, or mortar bombs.
The Revolver Gun Mk.3, by itself, is a self-contained SHORAD. It has either a X-band or Ku-band tracking radar (19 mile range) along with a EO sensor suite consisting of a HD CMOS (Complementary Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor) TV camera, a cooled MWIR (Mid-Wave Infrared) IR camera, laser range finder, and a video tracking system. It can be fitted with an optional S-band or X-band ARES search radar. The Revolver Gun Mk.3 platform can detect, identify, track, and engage targets fully autonomously. Of course, the weapon is meant to be tied into the BMS as well as take advantage of the X-TAR3D and MSU components. In addition, the BMS can manage up to eight Revolver Gun Mk.3 systems.
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