Slovenian turret specialist Valhalla Turrets d.o.o. has expanded its remote weapon station (RWS) portfolio with the public debut of the Skythunder 300, a multi-spectrum air defence remote-controlled turret. Showcased at Eurosatory 2026 in Paris, the system was displayed integrated onto a tactical chassis at the Daimler Truck AG stand, marking one of 17 Valhalla-designed turret variants present across the exhibition. According to company documentation, the Skythunder 300 leverages technical components and baseline architectures from the company’s established Mangart 30 weapon station. The system has been specifically engineered to fulfill counter-unmanned aircraft system (C-UAS) and short-range air defence (SHORAD) requirements against low, slow, and small (LSS) aerial threats, as well as conventional low-altitude targets.
Armament and Effector Integration
The Skythunder 300 features a layered, multi-effector configuration designed to engage targets at varying ranges and across diverse threat profiles. The main armament consists of a 30 mm Northrop Grumman Mk 44S Bushmaster Stretch automatic cannon, configured with an Air Burst Munition (ABM) capability to optimize lethality against drone swarms and dispersed infantry. The primary weapon system is supported by an onboard ammunition capacity of 300 rounds. For close-in engagement and high-volume suppression, the turret integrates an auxiliary, independent 360° rotating weapon station armed with a 7.62 mm Dillon Aero M134D Gatling gun. The high-rate-of-fire auxiliary system is supplied with a baseline load of 1,200 rounds. The outer tier of the turret’s organic engagement envelope is sustained by an integrated Arnold Defense Land-LGR4 four-cell launcher, capable of firing 70 mm laser-guided rockets (such as the Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System [APKWS]) for precision engagements against stand-off aerial or surface threats.
Sensor Suite and Fire Control
The Skythunder 300 is designed for autonomous target detection, tracking, and engagement sequence management. The system incorporates a proprietary fire-control system (FCS) that supports automatic target tracking and full hunter-killer functionality.
- Electro-Optics: Target detection, recognition, and identification (DRI) are managed via independent, two-axis stabilized electro-optical (EO) sights provided for both the gunner and commander. This split-sight architecture allows for continuous situational awareness and simultaneous target engagement and scanning.
- Radar Architecture: For local air surveillance and target acquisition, the turret can achieve full 360° radar coverage through the integration of three Hensoldt Spexer 2000 (Medium panel) active electronically scanned array (AESA) radars mounted directly to the turret structure. (Photo by Valhalla Turrets)
Modular Growth Options
Valhalla Turrets emphasizes the modular architecture of the Skythunder 300, noting that the baseline configuration can be adapted to host alternative sensor and effector subsystems based on end-user requirements. Future growth pathways and integration options specified by the manufacturer include:
- Alternative Rocket/Missile Launchers: Integration readiness for MBDA Mistral short-range air-defence missiles, MBDA Short Range Air Defence Missile (SADM) launchers, or Thales FZ605 rocket launchers.
- Command and Control: Provision for an Independent Commander Remote Controlled Weapon Station (RCWS) to further segregate searching and engagement duties.
- Sensors: Open architecture framework to accommodate multiple alternative Electro-Optical System (EOS) suites depending on customer procurement structures.
