ILA 2022: Anti-Aircraft Variant of the Boxer Vehicle

The anti-aircraft Boxer platform has been fitted with the Skyguard 30 turret, based on the proven Skyguard 35 system that has been lightened for enhanced mobility. Thanks to the use of a 30 mm automatic cannon, the turret now weighs less than 3 tonnes, even though it accommodates the cannon, sensors, control system, and a dual SkyKnight SAM launcher with a range of 2 to 10 kilometers.

This overlaps with the capability offered by the AAA system featuring the KCE automatic cannon with a rate of fire of 1,050 rounds per minute. The gun shoots the 30x173 mm round. It is a modernized variant of the cannon designed for Saab Viggen. The effective range exceeds 3 kilometers, but the optimal engagement distance is defined as 2 kilometers, corresponding with the minimum range of the SkyKnight missiles.

The system is controlled via a computer system integrating a variety of sensors. These include both optoelectronic sensors, as well as five AESA radar X- and Ku-band antenna arrays, providing precise, 360-degrees coverage. This makes it possible to effectively counter UAVs, loitering munitions, and other RAM threats, even in the terminal phase of their flight - thanks to the maximum elevation of the gun reaching 85 degrees. The potential threats that the system may neutralize, especially using the SkyRanger missiles, also include helicopters and low-flying fixed-wing assets. The lethality of the system may also be enhanced thanks to 30 mm ABM ammunition developed by Rheinmetall.

SkyGuard 30 system is also well protected. The whole system has been placed in an armoured turret that also features 9 grenade launchers on each side, providing multi-spectral protection. These launchers are coupled with a radiation-warning receiver, but they may also be operated manually.