Papperger’s announcement coincided with Berlin’s decision to purchase the American Patriot anti-aircraft systems. There’s no official word yet on whether Germany’s proposal is linked to this decision. However, sources suggest that the offer came just two months after Rheinmetall and Lockheed Martin signed a new Memorandum of Understanding [MoU] at the ILA International Aerospace Exhibition in Berlin last June.

Should Washington accept Berlin’s proposal, Lockheed Martin will likely play a role in the solution. The exact nature of their involvement remains uncertain, but sources speculate that the potential deal could be valued at around $4 billion.

Rheinmetall Skyranger

The Rheinmetall Skyranger turret is a highly advanced air defense system designed to provide short-range protection against aerial threats. It is mounted on a variety of platforms, including armored vehicles, and is known for its versatility and rapid response capabilities. The Skyranger turret boasts an impressive rate of fire, capable of discharging up to 1,000 rounds per minute. This high rate of fire is crucial for effectively engaging fast-moving aerial targets such as drones, helicopters, and low-flying aircraft.

The system integrates multiple types of advanced technologies, including radar, electro-optical sensors, and fire control systems. These technologies work in concert to detect, track, and engage incoming threats with high precision. The Skyranger turret utilizes a variety of ammunition types to address different threat profiles. It can fire programmable airburst munitions, which are particularly effective against swarms of drones, as well as armor-piercing and high-explosive rounds for more robust targets.

Operationally, the Skyranger turret has an effective range of up to 4 kilometers, making it suitable for protecting both stationary and mobile assets in a variety of combat scenarios. Its range allows it to engage threats before they can reach their intended targets.

Expectations

It is expected that such a deal will be completed within the next four to five years. This is quite a long time for this type of weapon, but there is an explanation. According to German sources, to meet the needs of the US Army, Rheinmetall [most likely here the role of Lockheed Martin] will have to carry out deep modifications of the Skyranger air defense system. We don’t know what they will be, but we’ll make our guess.

One major modification of the Rheinmetall Skyranger turret will involve its integration with the US military’s command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance [C4ISR] systems. Adapting Skyranger’s software and fire control systems to be compatible with US military standards and protocols is a possible next modification.

The Skyranger turret will also need to be modified to accommodate US-specific ammunition types and calibers. Ergonomic and human factor modifications may be required to conform to US military standards. Logistics and maintenance considerations would also lead to modifications. The Skyranger turret will need to be adapted to use standard US tools, spare parts, and maintenance procedures.

The US will not be the first

The United States is not the primary customer for the Skyranger air defense turret. Interestingly, Germany became the first nation to place an order for this system, as reported in February this year. Following this, two more countries, Denmark and Hungary, are expected to adopt this defense technology.

Denmark and Hungary joined the Skyranger program quite recently, in July of this year. The official announcement came from the German Ministry of Defense, noting that a letter was signed in Paris on July 18 by representatives from Germany, Denmark, and Hungary for the joint acquisition of the Skyranger turret.

Colonel James Anderson, a retired U.S. Army officer and military consultant, explained in an April 2023 Defense News article, “The Skyranger turret is flexible and can be used in different combat situations. It boosts a unit’s defense in cities and on open battlefields.” 

During a panel discussion at the 2022 International Defense Exhibition and Conference [IDEX], Dr. Laura Mitchell, a professor at the Naval Postgraduate School, said, “The Skyranger can connect with current defense systems and operate on its own, making it key to modern air defense.”