IDEX 2021: Halcon to provide C-RAM missile for Rheinmetall for air defence

[Kartal1]

IDEX 2021: Halcon to provide C-RAM missile for Rheinmetall for air defence​

by Jeremy Binnie



The Halcon Systems guided weapons division of the United Arab Emirates’ (UAE’s) Edge defence group has unveiled a surface-to-air missile (SAM) that will be used with Rheinmetall’s Oerlikon Skynex system to provide it with a counter-rocket, artillery, and mortar (C-RAM) capability.

The Halcon Systems SkyKnight C-RAM missile on display at IDEX 2021. (Edge)
Edge announced during the International Defence Exhibition & Conference (IDEX) 2021 show in Abu Dhabi from 21–25 February that Halcon was already developing its SkyKnight short-range SAM when the decision was made to team with Rheinmetall, which it said was actively looking for a missile for its Oerlikon Skynex air-defence system.

The group said SkyKnight is capable of engaging fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and RAM munitions at a range of up to 10 km. It said the launchers will have a capacity of 60 missiles and can be deployed on land vehicles or ships. An Edge video added that 16 missiles can be launched in 3.5 seconds to engage different targets.

“SkyKnight is the UAE’s first but [not the] last air-defence missile developed by Halcon,” said Edge CEO Faisal al-Bannai. “We are pleased to team up with Rheinmetall, a leading player in the defence industry, for us to jointly offer the world’s most advanced and comprehensive C-RAM solution.”

Oerlikon Skynex is Rheinmetall’s latest air-defence system that links the company’s X-TAR3D radar with a command-and-control (C2) module that can assign targets to up to four 30 mm revolver guns that engage them using their own tracking radars and cameras.

IDEX 2021: Halcon to provide C-RAM missile for Rheinmetall for air defence

The Halcon Systems guided weapons division of the United Arab Emirates’ (UAE’s) Edge defence group has unveiled a surface-to-air missile (SAM) that will be used with...

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[Philip the Arab]

This is good news, I hope that this system is bought by countries using the Skyguard to help defend strategic targets from PGM, CM, and CRAM attacks.

UAE is trying to localize more parts with a new PCB facility, and other mechanical manufacturing facilities. Obviously a country of less than 10 million will never be able to make everything.

 

[Philip the Arab]

At IDEX 2021, the International Land Defense Exhibition, EDGE Subdivision, Halcon presents a new generation of C-RAM (Counter Rocket, Artillery, and Mortar) air defense missile called SkyKnight able to destroy incoming rockets, artillery, and mortar rounds in the air before they hit their ground targets at a maximum range of 10 km.

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The SkyKnight C-RAM missile at IDEX 2021, International Land Defense Exhibition that was held in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, February 2021. (Picture source Army Recognition)

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The Skynight C-RAM launching unit can be integrated into the Rheinmetall AG’s Skynex Air Defence System that will offer a new air defense system able to destroy standard aerial targets with Oerlikon Revolver Gun® Mk3, while the Skynight can provide protection against rockets, artillery, and mortar rounds. The use of mixed weapon systems now provides a highly effective layered protection shield against a wide spectrum of air threats. A container launcher unit with 60 missiles can be coupled with the Rheinmetall Skynex offering an advanced air defense solution. A total of 16 SkyKnight missiles can be launched from the launcher container in 3.5 seconds. It can be deployed statically for long periods of time and then relocated, or permanently installed in a single location.

The EDGE HALCON’s SkyKnight is designed to counter the full spectrum of modern threats, providing early warning signals and precise surface-to-air intercept capabilities targeting of rotary-wing aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) rockets, artillery, mortar, and other fixed-wing aircraft at a range of up to 10 Km.

Able to track and neutralize up to 80 incoming targets at one time, the SkyKnight provides protection for static assets, as well as conditional protection for mobile and mechanized forces. It can handle multiple threats simultaneously and efficiently.

The SkyKnight is purposely designed to counter the full spectrum of modern threats that can be launched from an aircraft against aerial targets with a maximum range of 50 km and warships with a maximum range of 300 km. The missile can be used in day and night and in all weather conditions, including low clouds, rain, dust, or fog.

With the C-RAM SkyKnight, the United Arab Emirates defense industry becomes the second country in the world to develop that type of air defense missile system after the Israeli-made Iron Dome, which uses the Tamir interceptor missile.

The C-RAM offers the advantage to reduce the cost for the destruction of light and small targets and not use other missiles as the MIM-104 Patriot. It is also an economical solution enabling effective selecting handling of critical threats aimed at a predefined defended zone. It can be used to protect cities, towns, and critical infrastructures as well as maneuvering forces and ships.