SkyKnight (missile)
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| SkyKnight | |
|---|---|
| Type | Surface-to-air missile Counter rocket, artillery, and mortar interceptor |
| Place of origin | United Arab Emirates |
| Production history | |
| Designer | HALCON |
| Designed | August 2020–present |
| Manufacturer | HALCON, EDGE Group |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 36 kg (79 lb) |
| Length | 2.2 m (7.2 ft) |
| Diameter | 115 mm (4.5 in) |
Operational range | Up to 10 km (6.2 mi) |
Guidance system | Active radar homing |
Launch platform | Containerised vertical launcher |
SkyKnight, stylised by its manufacturer as SKYKNIGHT, is a short-range surface-to-air missile and counter rocket, artillery, and mortar interceptor under development by HALCON, a subsidiary of the Emirati defence conglomerate EDGE Group. It was publicly unveiled at the International Defence Exhibition and Conference (IDEX) in Abu Dhabi in February 2021.[1]
The missile is being integrated into Rheinmetall Air Defence's Skynex air-defence system. It is intended to intercept aircraft, helicopters, unmanned aerial vehicles, cruise missiles, precision-guided weapons, rockets, artillery projectiles and mortar rounds.[2] As of 2026, SkyKnight remained under development and was undergoing missile and system-integration testing.[3][4]
Development
Development of SkyKnight began in August 2020. HALCON stated that early development work included launches from a missile canister, system-requirement and design reviews, subsystem development and the manufacture of a wind-tunnel model.[5]
SkyKnight was unveiled at IDEX 2021 as the first missile system designed and manufactured in the United Arab Emirates specifically for countering rockets, artillery and mortars. HALCON and Rheinmetall agreed to integrate the missile and its launcher with the Skynex air-defence architecture rather than establish a separate joint venture.[1]
In February 2025, Janes reported that missile firing trials had begun and were expected to progress to target-interception trials. At the time, EDGE expected the missile itself to complete qualification by the end of 2026.[3] In July 2025, Aviation Week reported that approximately 75 per cent of the missile's development had been completed.[6]
HALCON subsequently stated that qualification of the complete Skynex–SkyKnight system—including the missile, radar, guns and command-and-control equipment—was expected in late 2027.[4]
Design
SkyKnight is a vertically launched missile measuring approximately 2.2 m (7.2 ft) in length, with a body diameter of 115 mm (4.5 in). Early reporting gave its launch weight as 35 kg (77 lb), while Janes later reported a weight of 36 kg (79 lb).[2][3]
The missile has a stated maximum interception range of 10 km (6.2 mi) and uses an active radar homing seeker during its terminal phase, allowing the missile to guide itself during the final portion of an engagement.[3] Manufacturer data reported by European Defence Review in 2021 gave engagement ranges of up to 10 km (6.2 mi) against helicopters and unmanned aircraft, 8–10 km (5.0–6.2 mi) against fixed-wing aircraft, 6 km (3.7 mi) against precision-guided munitions and cruise missiles, and 4 km (2.5 mi) against rockets, artillery projectiles and mortar rounds.[2]
The missile is intended to operate as part of a layered Skynex fire unit. A proposed fire unit consists of an Oerlikon Multi Sensor Unit containing active electronically scanned array search radars and electro-optical sensors, a command-and-control node, up to four SkyKnight missile-launcher units and up to four Oerlikon Revolver Gun Mk3 35 mm cannon systems.[3]
The original launcher configuration displayed in 2021 was based on a 20-foot container carrying 60 missiles in a 6-by-10 arrangement.[2] By 2025, Janes described an updated containerised launcher capable of holding up to 64 missiles.[3]
Proposed naval integration
At Eurosatory 2026, HALCON and the French shipbuilder Naval Group announced an agreement to test SkyKnight using Naval Group's Rampart modular launching system. The planned test programme was scheduled to take place in the United Arab Emirates between 2026 and 2027, beginning with land-based firings before progressing to trials in a maritime environment.[7]
The trials are intended to assess a possible future naval integration of SkyKnight rather than represent an operational deployment or confirmed procurement.[7]
See also
- Counter rocket, artillery, and mortar
- Skynex
- List of surface-to-air missiles
- Missile defense
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Helou, Agnes (23 February 2021). "From lasers to missiles, IDEX exhibitors are determined to counter drones". Defense News. Retrieved 19 July 2026.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Valpolini, Paolo (8 March 2021). "Halcon and Rheinmetall Air Defence team up for the Skynex". European Defence Review. Retrieved 19 July 2026.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 Petrov, Christopher (24 February 2025). "IDEX 2025: Skyknight air-defence system undergoes testing". Janes. Retrieved 19 July 2026.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Valpolini, Paolo (20 November 2025). "Dubai Airshow 2025 – EDGE Halcon adds new air-to-ground effectors to its portfolio and advances in the ground-based air defence field". European Defence Review. Retrieved 19 July 2026.
- ↑ Helou, Agnes (18 February 2022). "UAE's Edge Group to release tube-launched Hunter 10 drone in 2023". Defense News. Retrieved 19 July 2026.
- ↑ Osborne, Tony (31 July 2025). "Edge Presses Ahead With Air Defense, Cruise Missile Plans". Aviation Week. Retrieved 19 July 2026.
External links
- Official SkyKnight product page – EDGE Group
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