Basic Information

Name

Oerlikon GDF-007 Swiss 35mm Towed Anti-Aircraft Gun

Designation

—

Alternate Designation

—

Equipment Type

Towed Gun

Manufacturer

Oerlikon Contraves

Date of Introduction

1995

Description

GDF-007 This is a further development of the basic GDF system. Features include: *High rate of fire; *Ahead capability (programmable air burst munition); *High hit probability; *High impact efficiency; *Rapid response to FCU target data in remote mode; *High-performance sighting system and fire control for autonomous target engagement in local mode; *Self-defense capability; *Two 35-mm positively locked, gas-operated automatic cannons with automatic weapon lubrication; *Automatic reloading; *Quick firing readiness after emplacement due to independent power supply unit; *Automatic muzzle velocity measurement and projectile fuze programming; *Built-in test and diagnostics; *High mobility with four-wheel trailer mount; *Rapid deployment at the firing position by tilting the wheels hydraulically; and *Accurate positioning, which is statically determined through automatic leveling of three-point hydraulic support. Additionally, the GDF-006 is fitted with the Advanced Hit Efficiency and Destruction (AHEAD) ammunition that was developed in the late 1980s for service in the mid-1990s. The GDF muzzle is fitted with the three-coil muzzle-velocity sensor; Sky Guard fire-control software is modified. When the AHEAD round is fired, its passage through the rear two coils is timed and its exact muzzle velocity is determined and used to set the time fuze in the projectile through the forward coil. When the timer triggers the fuze, the shell is fractured into a cone of heavy-metal fragments that spray the target. A 25-round burst is capable of generating a spray of 3,800 fragments. The system is designed to provide quick kills against small targets at long ranges. 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 automatic cannons

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-007

Type Towed Anti-Aircraft Gun

Crew 3 ea

Caliber 35 mm

Carriage 4-wheeled/2-axle towed chassis

Emplacement 1.5 minutes

Displacement 1.5 minutes

Note Initial operating capability was achieved in 1985. It is fitted with the Contraves Gun King digital optronic sighting system. There is three-dimensional target tracking with laser rangefinder, periscope sight and digital computer. It has an integrated power supply on the mount; the battery power is sufficient for five combat cycles before IPS must be restarted. It also includes an autonomous gun sighting system.

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.

AHEAD Ammunition Advanced Hit Efficiency and Destruction (AHEAD) ammunition was developed in late 1980s for service in mid-1990s. The GDF muzzle is fitted with three-coil muzzle-velocity sensor; Sky Guard fire-control software is modified. When the AHEAD round is fired, its passage through the rear two coils is timed and its exact muzzle velocity determined and used to set the time fuze in the projectile through the forward coil. When the timer triggers the fuze, the shell is fractured into a cone of heavy-metal fragments that spray the target. A 25-round burst is capable of generating a spray of 3,800 fragments. The system is designed to provide quick kills against small targets at long-ranges.

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

Laser Rangefinder Yes

Digital Computer Yes

Autonomous Gun Sighting System Yes, Contraves Gun King digital optronic sighting system.

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.

Image Sources

Notes https://www.flickr.com/photos/156678404@N02/41702438471; https://www.flickr.com/photos/156678404@N02/40803739755;