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2021-07-04

AEV3 Kodiak Ensures High Protection, Mobility

Army officials are constantly on the lookout for armoured engineer vehicles (AEV) that can be used for a variety of battlefield engineering, infrastructure and support roles. What army engineers need is a robust, reliable and future-proof AEV with latest equipment, high levels of protection and mobility in the entire field of application.

System vendor Rheinmetall has responded to these requirements by rolling out an ideal solution in the form of AEV3 Kodiak, the third-generation of armoured engineer vehicle.

Highly protected, field-proven and modern, the Kodiak has turned out to be the best choice for the combat engineers of the German Bundeswehr and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in the event of deployments or disasters.

Known in German as the Pionierpanzer 3 Kodiak (PiPz3), the vehicle is based on the Leopard 2. Highly mobile on the chassis of the Leopard 2, the combat support forces use the Kodiak to create barriers and thus effectively inhibit the movement of enemy troops. Enemy barriers can be quickly removed to promote the mobility of one’s own combat troops. It is extremely agile in these situations and can be used effectively when working in narrow passages. Importantly, the numerous special tools can be changed under protection, which offer the crew the greatest possible safety.

Together with the Buffalo armoured recovery vehicle (BPz3) already introduced by the German Bundeswehr, the Kodiak – as a true pioneer – is a perfect addition to the range of support vehicles.

All Kodiak users rely on the powerful team of specialists, particularly with regard to interoperability and synergies in terms of common parts, maintenance and training.

Exemplary Combination

The AEV3 Kodiak combines modern engineering technology with the tried-and-tested components. It has an articulated arm excavator in the middle of the vehicle, including further excavator tools, an adjustable bulldozer blade and a flexible winch system. The total weight remains the same despite the extensive equipment in the MLC70 class. Using the mine breakthrough kit, the crew can rapidly convert the Kodiak into a mine breakthrough system with a mine clearance plough, signature duplicator and marking equipment.

There is a high level of ballistic protection, integrated mine protection, protective ventilation and a crew room with a heating and cooling system.

The two- or three-person crew of the AEV3 Kodiak can use the system under full protection. This also applies to the replacement of excavator tools. The AEV3 Kodiak can be operated and used remotely from a safe distance too. The vehicle is the perfect tool for army engineers tasked with erecting or breaking obstacles on the battlefield, including breaking minefields. The PiPz3 Kodiak is particularly suitable for disaster relief at home and abroad, for example in the event of forest fires.

It may be recalled that just last year, the Dutch armed forces deployed the Kodiak and the Bergepanzer 3 Büffel/Buffalo to fight forest fires and other wildfires on the German-Dutch border in early summer.

The vehicle is able to provide electrical and hydraulic energy for external tools, e.g. for additional work lights or hydraulically powered hand tools. Air conditioning, night vision capability, surveillance via cameras and a fully protected (optional) weapons station are additional features that distinguish the Kodiak.

Engine

Powered by a 1,100-kW engine, the vehicle’s well-balanced chassis assures outstanding mobility commensurate with the Leopard 2 A7V. The Kodiak is capable of keeping up with high-mobility combat formations. A newly developed force protection package makes it one of the best-protected systems of its kind.

Excavator Tools

An outstanding feature of the Kodiak is the three-part excavator arm centrally mounted at the front of the vehicle. This central arm concept offers the advantage of giving the crew a better overview during excavation work. It allows the vehicle to operate in narrow confines while enabling maximum reach with minimal dependence on the orientation of the vehicle. This simplifies and shortens the operation, contributing to the safety and security of the crew.

The system has a hydraulically operated quick coupling with hydraulic connections for excavator tools such as universal grabs, hydraulic hammers and concrete shears. The vehicle can transport up to two additional excavator tools on the rear carrier. The excavator tools can be replaced without leaving the protected crew compartment.

The Kodiak also features a bulldozer blade with adjustable cutting and tilt angles.

Safety Gain

The double winch system was specially designed to meet the requirements of the army engineers. Mounted at the front of the vehicle, the versatile winch system is equipped with two capstan winches that can be used independently of each other. During operation, this assures maximum flexibility and reliability.

With the system it is possible to quickly tear down barriers and obstacles. Both winches can be used together or independently of each other, have a freewheel device and can be used to recover heavy vehicles.

Unlike a single heavy winch, where at least two people have to leave the protection of the vehicle to attach the steel cable, the Kodiak’s two winch cables can be attached to the object of choice by just one person. A single soldier can quickly bring the comparatively light winch cables to the object with no need for special equipment or tools, thus minimising the time spent outside the highly protected fighting compartment. This means a significant safety gain for the crew.

With its first class off-road capability, it can follow today’s highly mobile manoeuvring units, e.g. the MBT Leopard 2, without restriction. The safety of the crew is guaranteed thanks to its high level of protection against projectiles and mines; additional bomb protection can improve its survivability.

Protection: The ‘Natter’ Weapon Station

Manually or remotely operated weapon stations can be used. In addition, the AEV3 Kodiak can be equipped with the latest design of smoke projectile launcher.

For self-defence, the German Kodiak is equipped with a state-of-the-art 76mm smoke/obscurant grenade launcher as well as a remotely controlled “Natter” weapon station. Developed by Rheinmetall, the weapon station can be armed with either with a machinegun (7.62mm x 51 or 12.7mm x 99 (.50 BMG) or a 40mm automatic grenade launcher.

Six Cameras

During daylight hours as well as in conditions of limited visibility, six cameras mounted on the excavator system, the bulldozer blade and the front and rear of the vehicle support the three-person crew while on the move or conducting combat engineering operations. Crewmembers can access the camera view on their own monitor. The cameras make it possible to change tools and carry out a full range of combat engineering operations without exiting the vehicle.

The angled mirror and camera system allows the crew to perform all tasks under protection, except for attaching the winch ropes. With the help of camera system, the crew can perform tasks such as excavating earth, replacing tools, levelling and clearing mines to break and erect barriers without having to leave the safety of the crew compartment. It is possible to display camera images on monitors integrated in the periscopes or to operate the entire system remotely, e.g. in very dangerous operations.

Bundeswehr Contract

Rheinmetall has scored another success with its Kodiak AEV. The German Bundeswehr has awarded the Düsseldorf-based technology group an order for new combat engineer systems. On 14 April 2021, the Budget Committee of the German Parliament approved the project. The Federal Office for Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support, or BAAINBw, has signed a contract to this effect with Rheinmetall for the manufacture and delivery of a total of 44 armoured engineer vehicles, with a gross value of around €295 million.

The first system is due to roll off the assembly line in 2023, with delivery to be complete by 2029.

Today, more than 40 Kodiak armoured engineer vehicles are in service globally, specifically in Switzerland, Sweden, the Netherlands and Singapore. Besides Bundeswehr, a number of other European and NATO nations have expressed an interest in the system.

Reference Text/Photo: www.rheinmetall.com

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