Skyknight (missile)
| SkyKnight | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Type | Surface-to-air missile Counter rocket, artillery, and mortar |
| Place of origin | United Arab Emirates/South Africa |
| Service history | |
| In service | 2026 (planned)[1] |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Halcon Systems |
| Designed | August 2020[2] |
| Manufacturer | Halcon Systems |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 35 kg (77 lb) |
| Length | 2.2 m (7.2 ft) |
| Diameter | 115 mm (4.5 in) |
| Wingspan | 300 mm (12 in) |
Operational range | 80 km (50 mi; 43 nmi) |
Guidance system | Radar[3] |
The SkyKnight is an all-weather multi-target short-range air defence missile.[4][5] It was developed by Halcon Systems and is the United Arab Emirates' first designed counter-rocket, artillery, and mortar (C-RAM) missile. SkyKnight is planned to be integrated into Rheinmetall Skynex air defence system.[6] Skynex is a fully networked system of sensors and effectors linked via a tactical communications network to provide a mostly automated layered defence against various aerial threats. Up to four 6.1 m (20 ft)-long SkyKnight missile launcher units (MLU) with 60 rounds each can be controlled in a Skynex battery. An MLU can launch up to five missiles in one second and each can simultaneously fire 20 at one time to neutralize 80 incoming targets. The missiles are capable of intercepting manned and unmanned aircraft and helicopters at 10 km (6.2 mi), precision guided munitions (PGMs) and cruise missiles at 6 km (3.7 mi), and RAM projectiles at 4 km (2.5 mi). The Skynex system combines the SkyKnight with up to four Oerlikon Revolver Gun Mk3 35 mm revolver cannons to handle anything that penetrates through the missile defenses.[1][4][7]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b OERLIKON SKYNEX® AIR DEFENCE SYSTEM. Rheinmetall Air Defence. 3 July 2021.
- ^ EDGE pioneering SkyKnight air defence missile system details major programme milestones. Air Recognition. 15 November 2021.
- ^ From lasers to missiles, IDEX exhibitors are determined to counter drones. Defense News. 23 February 2021.
- ^ a b "SkyKnight C-RAM Missile System". Army Technology. Retrieved 2022-06-25.
- ^ "HALCON Unveils UAE's First Air Defence Missile". www.businesswire.com. 2021-02-23. Retrieved 2022-06-25.
- ^ "UAE to Supply First Air Missile Defense to Germany's Rheinmetall". Bloomberg.com. 2021-02-23. Retrieved 2022-06-25.
- ^ Halcon and Rheinmetall Air Defence team up for the Skynex. European Defence Review. 8 March 2021.
External links
[edit]- SKYNEX SKYKNIGHT. Halcon