Boxer Skyranger 30 A3 - double the take

UnHolySausage · April 19, 2025, 2:47pm

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History:

Boxer Armored Vehicle

The Boxer Armored Vehicle project, launched in 1993 through a Franco-German partnership, evolved into a multinational effort with the UK joining in 1996 and the Netherlands replacing France after its 1999 withdrawal. By 2002, twelve prototypes were finalized under the official “Boxer” name, though the UK exited in 2003, leaving Germany and the Netherlands to procure 272 and 200 vehicles, respectively. Deliveries began in 2009 for Germany and 2013 for the Netherlands, solidifying the Boxer’s role as a modular, multirole armored platform.

Skyranger 30 SPAA System

Rheinmetall developed the Skyranger 30, a self-propelled anti-aircraft (SPAA) system unveiled in March 2021. Designed around a remote-controlled turret and a 30mm Oerlikon Revolver Cannon (KCE-ABM), it integrates optional short-range air defense (SHORAD) missiles, extending its engagement range from 3,000 to 6,000 meters. Development began in 2020 with the Skyranger 30 A0 prototype, led by Michael Gerber’s team to demonstrate Rheinmetall’s ROSY smoke/anti-sensor system and FIRST radar integration. The turret’s unconventional live-streamed “unboxing” in December 2020—a COVID-19-era innovation—marked the first virtual debut of a major weapon system. It was later mounted on a GTK Boxer for display at the 2022 ILA Berlin Air Show. The upgraded Skyranger 30A1 successfully underwent live-fire tests in December 2023, while the 30A3 variant is on track for full qualification by mid-2024, underscoring Rheinmetall’s advancements in adaptive air defense aswell as consolidating as a solid unit for the german army.

Weaponry:

30mm Oerlikon Revolver Cannon® KCE-ABM
- Ammo: TP-T, and ABM (KETF)
- MK266, PMC308.
Short-Range Air Defense (SHORAD) missiles:
- Stinger, Enforcer SADM
Coaxially mounted 7.62mm MG

Main Features:

Integrated 360° AESA search radar
Fully stabilized electro-optical tracking unit
Remote controlled gun/missile turret
Effective range: up to 3,000m, with missile 6,000m
30mm Oerlikon Revolver Cannon® KCE-ABM
30mm x173 Air Burst Ammunition
Nominal rate of fire: 1,250rds/min
Rapid single shot mode: 200rds/min
Ready to fire ammunition: up to 300rds
2–4 integrated VSHORAD missiles
Ku-band tracking radar (optional)
Directional IFF (Mode 5)
Ballistic protection: up to level 4 (STANAG4569) for crew
2x 10 Rosy Smoke Grenade Launchers (optional)
Two operator consoles in vehicle (commander/gunner)

Mobility:
The Skyranger 30, with a weight of 34.7 tons, is powered by the 530 kW (711 hp) MTU 8V199 TE20 Engine. This engine is paired with the Allison HD4070 transmission, equipped with 7 forward gears and 3 reverse gears, enabling the Skyranger to achieve speeds of up to 103 km/h.

Armor:
The Skyranger 30 is built on a standard Boxer chassis, reinforced with AMAP composite armor capable of withstanding 14.5x114mm Armor-Piercing (AP) rounds at a distance of 200 meters, or meeting STANAG4569 armor standards. Notably, the turret is equipped with an equivalent amount of armor as the hull.

Pictures

Skyranger 30-A2