Samavat 35mm towed anti-aircraft twin-cannon
 
 
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Samavat 35mm towed anti-aircraft twin-cannon Skyguard radar technical data sheet specifications description information intelligence identification pictures photos video Iran Iranian army defence industry military technology
 
Description
The Samavat 35mm is an Iranian version of the Swiss Oerlikon 35 mm twin cannon. This is a towed anti-aircraft gun made by Oerlikon Contraves now a subdivision of Rheinmetall Air Defence AG. Iran originally acquired GDF-001 systems with Fledermaus radars which were primarily deployed to defend air bases, later Iran bought 24 SkyGuard systems with GDF-002 cannon before the revolution and primarily deployed them as point defense for air bases and other strategic targets. In 2008 Iran unveiled a reverse engineered version which appears virtually identical to the GDF-001 and does not appear to include any of the design changes included in the later GDF-002>005 types now in service. Originally the Samavat 35mm was deployed to paved fixed sites at Iranian air bases, but was also deployed to ‘field sites’ during the Iran-Iraq war. More recently the fixed sites at air bases are usually empty, but the system is deployed in great numbers to key nuclear facilities particularly Natanz, Arak, Parchin, Bushehr and Esfahan. In January 2008, at the inaugural ceremony of the launch of the new 35 mm anti-aircraft cannon system, Iran's minister of defense, Major General Mostafa Mohammad Najjar said speed, precision and quality are three basic characteristics of the anti-aircraft cannon and since countries possessing this technology refused to provide Iran with this system, Iranian experts decided to produce a prototype first, and in a short period of time thereafter full-scale mass production was launched.
 
Variants
- No variants.
 
Technical Data
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Armament
The Samavat 35 mm uses two 35 mm automatic cannons. In 1980 an upgraded model, the GDF-002 was produced, which featured an improved sight, and the ability to be directed by an off-gun digital control system. A few years later a third version of the system was being produced, the GDF-003, which was broadly similar to the GDF-002, but included some enhancements like self-lubricating weapons and integrated protective covers.
The Oerlikon Contraves twin 35 mm GDF-002 automatic anti-aircraft gun consists of the following main components: two 35mm cannons, cradle, two automatic ammunition feed mechanisms, upper mount, lower mount and the manual transverse and elevation sighting system. The ammunition containers are on each side of the cradle and rotate with it. Each fully loaded ammunition container holds 56 rounds. The ammunition is reloaded in seven-round clips from the reloading container and passed through the upper mount trunnions to the cannon.
Mobility
On road position the Samavat 35mm uses a four-wheel trailer, the whole system is towed by a truck. The trailer features two parts, the upper and the lower mount. The upper mount determines traverse of the guns, which is in the pivot bearing of the lower mount. The lower mount comprises the two-axle chassis and the outriggers with the leveling spindles for three-point support in the firing positions. Raising and lowering the leveling spindles and raising the wheels are done electro-hydraulically or manually in the case of power failure. A crew of three or in 2 minutes 30 seconds can bring the weapon into the firing position in 1 minute 30 seconds by one. A hand pump is also fitted and when it is used the weapon can be brought into action in 5 minutes. The Skyguard radar system is also towed by a truck.
Radar and command systems
According to Iranian press agency correspondent, the fully-automatic 35mm anti-aircraft cannon Samavat is equipped with advanced radar and fire-control systems and is able to target warplanes, helicopters and various types of missiles with its short-range targeting system. This anti-aircraft cannon is also equipped with a modern satellite system which is able to identify aerial targets carefully and open fire on the selected target right away. The 35mm cannon is coupled with Skyguard radar system. A typical battery using the Skyguard consists of two twin 35 mm gun platforms with a single Skyguard fire control radar. The Skyguard system is contained within a towed trailer, mounted on the roof of which is a pulse doppler search radar, a pulse doppler tracking radar and a co-axial television camera.
Combat use
The Samavat 35mm is a short range air defence system which has a maximum range of 4 km and can fire at a rate of 1100 rounds per minute. It can hit cruise missiles automatically and UAV at low altitudes. The generic Skyguard site layout used by Iran is approximately “A” shaped with the Skyguard radar placed centrally and to the rear of two gun emplacements. The Skyguard radar and the gun positions are all raised in a manner often described as ramps. The gun positions are surrounded by a low wall. Numerous tents, huts and bunkers are positioned on the site. Towed generators and ammunition storage is located near the gun positions. Of course individual sites differ, but the composition and approximate layout make identification relatively easy.
 
Specifications
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Armament
Two 35mm guns
Country users
Iran
Designer Country
Iran
Radar
Skyguard fire control radar
Crew
5
Mobility
Towed by truck
Effective range
4 km
Effective altitude
3 km
Elevation - Traverse
-5°/+92° - 360°
Rate of fire
1,100 rds/min
 
Details View
 
Samavat 35mm towed anti-aircraft twin-cannon
Samavat 35mm towed anti-aircraft twin-cannon Skyguard radar technical data sheet specifications description information intelligence identification pictures photos video Iran Iranian army defence industry military technology
Samavat 35mm towed anti-aircraft twin-cannon Skyguard radar technical data sheet specifications description information intelligence identification pictures photos video Iran Iranian army defence industry military technology
     
Iranian Skyguard all-weather fire-control radar system
Iranian Skyguard all-weather fire-control radar was originally developed in the 1970s by Oerlikon Contraves of Switzerland with the collaboration of Ericsson of Sweden. The Skyguard was designed to control the Oerlikon Contraves GDF cannon series of twin 35 mm GDF cannon series towed and anti-aircraft guns. The Skyguard all-weather fire-control radar was originally developed in the 1970s by Oerlikon Contraves of Switzerland with the collaboration of Ericsson of Sweden. The Skyguard was designed to control the Oerlikon Contraves GDF cannon series of twin 35 mm GDF cannon series towed and anti-aircraft guns.
 
Pictures - Video
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