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Oerlikon GDF-003 Swiss 35mm Towed Anti-Aircraft Gun

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Basic Information
Name
Oerlikon GDF-003 Swiss 35mm Towed Anti-Aircraft Gun
Designation
Alternate Designation
Equipment Type
Manufacturer
Oerlikon Contraves
Date of Introduction
1982
Description

GDF-003: Minor enhancements including protective covers and automatic weapon lubrication. 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
Skyguard SYSTEM/COMPLEX DESCRIBED FOR THE OPFOR HAS A RADAR, 2 ASPIDE MISSILE LAUNCHERS AND GENERATORS. AD COMPLEXES CAN VARY WIDELY. SINCE THEY ARE ORGANIZED AROUND THE SKYGUARD RADAR/CP UNIT, THEY MAY BE GUNS ONLY OR MISSILE LAUNCHERS ONLY. THE MOST EFFECTIVE AD ARRANGEMENT IS THE ONE NOTED ABOVE, AS A GUN/MISSILE SYSTEM.
GDF-001 SYSTEM HAS A SIMPLE SIGHT.
GDF-002 SYSTEM LINKS TO SKYGUARD.
GDF-003 ADDS GUN SYSTEM UPGRADES.
GDF-005 UPGRADE (FOR -003 WITH NDF-C KIT) HAS GUN KING 3-D AUTONOMOUS SIGHT SYSTEM, ONBOARD POWER SUPPLY AND AUTO-LOADER. CAN FIRE AHEAD ROUNDS.
System
Alternative Designations GDF-003
Crew 3
Carriage 4-wheeled/2-axle towed chassis
Emplacement 1.5 minutes
Displacement 1.5 minutes
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.
System
Name KDC-002 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.
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
2.6 m
Weight
6700 kg
Operators (7)
South Korea
Turkey
Iran
Ecuador
Egypt
Oman
Romania
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