03/27/2006
 

Oerlikon Contraves and Rheinmetall Weapon Munition

Ahead Air Burst Munition Technology Market Growth

The sales and evaluation of Air Bursting Munitions (ABM) based on the 35 mm Ahead technology concept, originally developed by Oerlikon Contraves, has been gathering pace in the market for the Rheinmetall Defence Group. Applications in both the 30 mm and 35 mm calibre now include Air Defence Systems, Naval Guns and Vehicle Armament Systems.

Following qualification by Canada in 1996/7 and subsequent deployment for their LLAD Air Defence Programme of the 35 mm Ahead ABM System and Ammunition, several customers worldwide have also upgraded their Skyguard 35 mm Air Defence Systems with the "Ahead" ABM capability.

More recently, the Royal Danish Navy selected the Oerlikon Contraves 35 mm Millennium Naval Mount for future ship defence and plan to procure a considerable number of units. The Millennium system fires 35 mm Ahead ABM using the powerful Oerlikon Contraves 35 mm Revolver Cannon.

Millennium aboard the «Sea Slice» high speed vessel participated in the US Navy Fleet Battle Experiment-Juliet during 2002 off the coast of California and conducted live firing exercises against littoral warfare targets.

In early 2005 the US Navy Naval Sea Systems Command supported by Lockheed Martin MS2 conducted a successful series of qualification test firings with the Millennium Gun using the 35 mm Ahead ABM against a wide variety of targets at a Range in the south of the USA. Lockheed Martin is the US Licensee for the Skyshield, Skyranger and Millennium Systems which use the 35 mm "Ahead" technology.

The self-propelled multi-mission Advanced Manoeuvre Support System for the protection of mobile units and stationary assets. The turret is equipped with the proven 35 mm Revolver Cannon and the Ahead Air Burst Munition.

In addition, in the context of the Fast Inshore Attack Craft (FIAC) threat to maritime assets in littoral waters, the United Kingdom MoD dstl Naval Systems Department, together with the DLO Above Water Warfare Systems IPT, have conducted extensive tests in the UK during 2003 and 2005 to evaluate a 30 mm ABM System and Ammunition which is derived from and utilises the Ahead ABM technology.

This 30 mm ABM System and Ammunition (30 mm x 173 KETF - Kinetic Energy Time Fuzed) is also now being qualified for the German Army for deployment in their new PUMA Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV) fitted with the MK30-2 ABM cannon.

The 30 mm ABM system and ammunition is being qualified for the German Army for deployment in their new Puma Infantry Fighting Vehicle fitted with the MK 30-2 ABM cannon.

In parallel, a 35 mm x 228 KETF ABM System and Ammunition is being qualified for the Dutch Army for their new CV9035 IFV fitted with the Bushmaster III Chain Gun. This 35 mm x 228 KETF ABM nature has a subprojectile payload optimised for the ground to ground target defeat role in comparison to the standard 35 mm Ahead round which is optimised for the air defence role.
 

A 35 mm x 228 KETF ABM system and ammunition is being qualified fort he Dutch Army for their new CV9035 IFV fitted with the Bushmaster II Chain Gun.

The Ahead technology ABM concept is also highly suitable to be used in the emerging capability requirement area of C-RAM (Counter - Rockets, Mortars and Artillery) and in 2005 it was revealed that in both the USA and Germany the Skyshield 35 mm Ahead Air Defence System has been tested and evaluated against the C-RAM threat with success and that further trials are underway.
 

The Skyshield 35 Fire Unit is small, lightweight and compact in design. The major elements are two 35/1000 Revolver Guns and a Fire Control Unit, consiting of the Sensor Unit with a detached Command Post.

In 2006, the USN/USMC plan to conduct Foreign Comparative Testing (FCT) of the 30 mm x 173 KETF ABM, in the context of the USN LPD17 ship and the USMC EFV (Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle) projects which both use the Mk 46 turret. The US Army is also involved in this FCT for potential consideration of the technology in the FCS (Future Combat Systems) programme.