Oerlikon GDF-002 Swiss 35mm Towed Anti-Aircraft Gun
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Basic Information
Name
Oerlikon GDF-002 Swiss 35mm Towed Anti-Aircraft Gun
Designation
—
Alternate Designation
—
Equipment Type
—
Manufacturer
Oerlikon Contraves
Date of Introduction
1980
Description
GDF-002: This has a digital data link from the Super Fledermaus or Skyguard radar fire-control system. Typical battery includes two gun mounts with separate generators, single Skyguard. There is a Ferranti Type GSA Mk 3 with optical alignment sight; target range is entered by gunner. The Oerlikon GDF or Oerlikon 35 mm twin cannon is a towed anti-aircraft gun made by Oerlikon Contraves (renamed as Rheinmetall Air Defence AG following the merger with Rheinmetall in 2009). 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 twin autocannons, firing 35×228mm NATO-standard ammunition. It was originally designated 353 MK and is now designated as the KD series. The same KD series 35mm cannons are used in the Leopard 1 based Gepard and Type 74 tank based Type 87 SPAAG and Marksman self-propelled anti-aircraft guns (SPAAG). The system could be paired with the off-gun (remote) Super Fledermaus fire control radar, which in the late 1970s was upgraded to the Skyguard system. The weapons was aimed either directly, by way of an advanced sighting system, or automatically, by locking onto the target with radar. Early models carried 112 rounds ready to fire, and an additional 126 stored on the chassis as reloads. Later versions with automated reloading carry 280 rounds total. A typical engagement burst is 28 rounds
Ground Specifications
Crew
3
Mobility Type
Towed
Main Weapon
35mm twin autocannons
Range
4.0 km
Variants
GDF-001
XABA sight
GDF-002
Introduced in 1980. Improved Ferranti sight and digital data bus. The gun has 112 rounds ready and 126 in reserve (238 rounds total)
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. 280 rounds on the gun and an automatic re-loading system.
GDF-007
GDF-005 upgraded with AHEAD system.
GDF-009
Unveiled at IDEF 2015, held in May 2015 in Istanbul. To date, its exterior significantly changed, although the installation has retained the design of the original serial versions of the systems.Unlike other variants, this one relies on an internal power source.The GDF-009 model is based on a four-wheeled carriage, and is raised off the ground by three stabilisers when deployed in the firing position. It also features an automatic levelling system that can compensate for a maximum tilt angle of up to 7°.Mounted on the forward part of the carriage is the integrated battery, which functions as the gun's power supply unit and can be recharged from an external source if required.
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 cone of 152 tungsten sub-projectiles at the target. Used by Canada, Pakistan, Greece, Oman, Spain, Taiwan, and Chile (unconfirmed).
System
Alternative Designations
GDF-002
Crew
3
Carriage
4-wheeled/2-axle towed chassis
Emplacement
1.5 minutes
Displacement
1.5 minutes
Note
This has a digital data link from the Super Fledermaus or Skyguard radar fire-control system. Typical battery includes two gun mounts with separate generators, single Skyguard. There is a Ferranti Type GSA Mk 3 with optical alignment sight; target range is entered by gunner.
Dimensions
Length, Traveling
7.80 m
Length, Firing
8.83 m
Barrel Length
3.15 m
Width, Traveling
2.26 m
Width, Firing
4.49 m
Height, Traveling
2.60 m
Height, Firing
1.72 m
Ground Clearance
330 mm
Weight, Traveling
6,700 kg
Weight, Without Ammunition
6,300 kg
Main Weapon System
Ammunition Types
HE-T/HEI-T, HE/HEI, HEI(BF), SAPHEI/SAPHEI-T, APDS/FAPDS, TP-T/TP, AHEAD
NDF-A Package
The NDF-A is the simplest of three combat improvement kits for existing mounts. It offers a Ferranti sight, automatic breech block lubrication, a rate-of-fire limiter for better accuracy and a permanently attached camouflage kit.
NDF-B Package
The variants is the same as NDF-A, with the addition of an automatic reload system and gunner cab.
NDF-C Package
The NDF-C version is the same as NDF-A, but substituting Gun King for the Ferranti sight and adding integrated power supply.
System
Name
KDC- gun
Type
Towed Anti-Aircraft Gun
Caliber
35 mm
Bore
35-mm/90-cal, rifled
Elevation
-5 deg to 92 deg (-89 mils to 1,634 mils)
Elevation Rate
56 deg (1,000 mils)/sec
Traverse
360 deg (6,400 mils)
Traverse Rate
112 deg (2,000 mils)
Breech Type
gas-operated positive lock
Recoil System
hydromechanical
Maximum Range
4,000 m
Muzzle Velocity
1,175 mps
Rate of Fire
550 rounds/min per barrel
Ammunition (Option 1)
Type
HE-T/HEI-T
Caliber
35 mm
Projectile Length
387 mm
Projectile Weight
535 g
Explosive
98 g
Propellant
330 g
Weight of Complete Round
1,565 g
Ammunition (Option 2)
Type
HE/HEI
Caliber
35 mm
Projectile Length
387 mm
Projectile Weight
550 g
Explosive
112 g
Propellant
330 g
Weight of Complete Round
1,552 g
Ammunition (Option 3)
Type
HEI(BF)
Caliber
35 mm
Projectile Length
387 mm
Projectile Weight
550 g
Explosive
70 g
Propellant
330 g
Weight of Complete Round
1,552 g
Fire Control System
FCS Name
INA
Computerized FCS
INA
Sight
Ferranti sight
Note
Most GDF mounts are integrated with an external fire-control system, usually the Super Fledermaus or Skyguard system.
Radar System
Radar Vehicle Name
Skyguard Radar Fire-Control System.
Skyguard Radar Details
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 a co-axial television camera. The trailer also houses the crew of two and a small petrol generator. Skyguard is an all-weather air defense system for the control of aircraft at low altitude and at low and medium altitude range up to 3,000 m. The maximum effective distance is given as 4,000 m. The system takes the air surveillance, target acquisition, calculation of the derivative-action values and the control of two Oerlikon 35 mm anti-aircraft guns. Skyguard is served by four people.
It was created by Oerlikon-Buehrle. The weapon was introduced in the 1960s in the Swiss Army and got updates in 1975, 1995 and 2010. They are still in use. It had replaced the system Contraves Super Fledermaus in the Swiss Air Force. The Skyguard radar system was used in the German Air Force for surveillance of low-altitude flight zones. The radar unit is readied quickly through the use of hydraulic systems for antenna erection and leveling after deployment. A typical fire unit using the Skyguard consists of two twin 35 mm gun platforms with a single Skyguard fire control radar.
Skyguard systems can also incorporate an optional SAM module based on the GDF's mount and radar system but with the guns replaced by four missile canisters. It can be armed with either Aspide or RIM-7 Sea Sparrow missiles. In Greek service the Skyguard system with RIM-7M is known as the VELOS.
Note
Typical battery includes two gun mounts with separate generators, single Skyguard.
Protection
Armor
INA
Image Sources
Details
Country of Origin
Switzerland
Category
Towed Anti-Aircraft Guns
Land > Air Defense > Towed Anti-Aircraft Guns
Filter Label
O
Classification
Domain
Ground
Equipment Status
Active
Dimensions
Length
7.8 m
Width
2.26 m
Height
1.72 m
Weight
6700 kg
Operators (7)
China
United Kingdom
South Africa
Argentina
Cameroon
Greece
Nigeria
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