General Dynamics European Land Systems-Steyr (GDELS-Steyr) exhibited on September 6 and 7 at the “Airpower” in Zeltweg, Styria, the air defense version of its Pandur Evolution wheeled tank with the Skyranger turret from Rheinmetall was presented for the first time.
According to the GDELS press release, the Pandur with Skyranger 30 is “further proof of the high flexibility and outstanding multi-role capability of the Pandur concept”. https://youtu.be/qSm-4L-6gWw
The Pandur Evolution has been in service with the Austrian Armed Forces as an armored personnel carrier, with a total of around 100 vehicles ordered in several tranches. In February the Austrian Armed Forces then ordered a further 225 vehicles in twelve different mission variants. In addition to the SHORAD system (Short Range Air Defense) presented in Zeltweg, these include the mortar system presented at the Eurosatory trade fair in Paris in June (heavy grenade launcher) as well as vehicles for medical, command and control, anti-tank, reconnaissance, electronic warfare and engineer tasks.
In the new mobile anti-aircraft variant, the Pandur is equipped with an unmanned Skyranger 30 turret. Based on the proven 455 hp wheeled platform, the system is equipped with a 30 mm x 173 caliber revolver cannon and the ability to fire air-burst ammunition (-> How does Ahead ammunition work) and launchers for two Mistral guided missiles. A radar and an electro-optical sensor package with TV and infrared cameras as well as laser rangefinders are integrated for surveillance and target tracking.
The two control consoles for the weapon system and the fire control computers are housed in the vehicle. The SHORAD-Pandur is in no way inferior to the other family variants in terms of mobility and is therefore particularly capable of providing convoy protection for the escorted infantry forces against manned and unmanned threats from the air. It thus makes an integral contribution to the Austrian Armed Forces’ Defend-the-Defender concept.
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