Rheinmetall has presented a concept for a robotic reloading mechanism for its Skyranger 30 and 35 air-defence systems, defence outlet Voennoye Obozreniye reported.
The developer plans to replenish ammunition by replacing an entire empty magazine with a full one using a robotic arm mounted on an 8x8 truck alongside ammunition stocks. The approach is intended to simplify loading and cut turnaround time to several minutes while keeping the crew protected inside the vehicle. The truck would carry six magazines, with an additional 12 on an attached trailer. Each magazine weighs approximately 400 kilograms and holds 250 rounds.
Rheinmetall is developing the mechanism in partnership with Austrian companies Palfinger and Empl after Austria, a customer for the Skyranger 30, requested an automated reloading setup. Fitting the mechanism will require redesigning the vehicle's turret system.
The Skyranger 30 turret uses a 30 mm Oerlikon KCA revolver cannon firing up to 1,200 rounds per minute at targets up to 3,000 metres away. An active electronically scanned array radar from Rheinmetall Italia detects aircraft at up to 20 kilometres and drones at up to five kilometres.
