Ukraine just released fresh combat footage of the German-made Skynex system doing what it was built to do: absolutely humiliating Shahed drones. Picture a 35mm revolver cannon, guided by radar and narrow AI, tearing drones out of the sky like it’s Duck Hunt on nightmare mode, and the dog doesn’t laugh when you miss.
I’m Wes O’Donnell, Army vet, Air Force guy, law grad, and professional observer of things that explode beautifully. I’ve covered Skynex before, but this? This is the first time we’re seeing it in actual combat. And spoiler alert: it’s delivering.
Here’s what we break down:
Footage released by Ukraine’s Air Force showing Skynex swatting Shaheds like flies
Why programmed airburst AHEAD ammunition is rewriting the drone defense playbook
The Skynex system’s modular radar, cannon, and control unit setup that allows it to move fast, plug in anywhere, and kill anything under 4km
Why Germany sending Skynex is more than charity, it’s live-fire advertising for Rheinmetall
How this system fits into Ukraine’s layered air defense puzzle: Patriots for missiles, Skynex for drones, and mobile units for mop-up
The Oerlikon Mk3 cannon spits out 1,000 rounds per minute, and each airburst shell releases a cloud of tungsten projectiles like a flying claymore. That’s not just cool, it’s smart. Cheap drones like the Shahed cost $50K. A Skynex shell? Much less. This is a kill chain with a healthy ROI.
And because it’s networked, Skynex doesn’t fight alone. It talks to radar. It talks to command. It can deploy where it's needed, pack up fast, and relocate before Russia finishes loading the coordinates. Mobility + firepower + automation = survivability.
Bottom line: Skynex is Germany’s answer to Russia’s “overwhelm everything with Shaheds” strategy. And based on this new footage? It’s working.
So if you want to see how 21st-century gun-based air defense is being beta-tested in Ukraine, and why Russia probably hates every second of it, hit that subscribe button. Because this war is the proving ground for what’s coming next.
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