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2014-05-01
Fuchs Fox Systems Meet Global Need For Rapid Reconnaissance
By: Lee
Chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) agents and hazards are among the deadliest threats to personnel deployed either in conventional military operations or asymmetric warfare and homeland security scenarios. Because it is nearly impossible to predict the time and place of CBRN attacks, a pressing need exists worldwide for fast and reliable reconnaissance systems.
Rheinmetall’s Fuchs/Fox 2 BIO and NBC armoured reconnaissance systems are the most advanced means of countering CBRN attacks.
They identify weaponized biological agents and other biological hazards. Teamed with Rheinmetall’s tried-and-tested Fuchs/Fox 2 NBC-RS and the associated command post system Fuchs/Fox 2 NBC-CPS, it represents the global cutting edge in detecting nuclear, biological and chemical threats.
For several years, the chemical corps of a prominent Middle East country has had all three versions in its inventory. This initial package encompassed 32 vehicles. The new Fuchs/Fox NBC-RS, FUCHS/Fox BIO-RS and Fuchs/Fox NBC-CPS systems gives any customer the most advanced NBC reconnaissance capability on the planet.
As far as NBC defence experts are concerned, Rheinmetall Defence’s Fuchs/Fox NBC reconnaissance system (Fuchs/Fox NBC-RS) sets the standard worldwide.
Key element for the defence
Today nearly 300 of these systems form a key element in the NBC defence capabilities of USA, UK, Netherlands, Norway, Saudi Arabia, another Middle East country and Germany. These countries have successfully deployed the systems during various missions, including Kosovo, Afghanistan and Iraq.
The three variants introduced in the Middle East include 16 reconnaissance systems for detecting and identifying nuclear and chemical contamination as well as eight command post systems and eight highly specialized reconnaissance systems for detecting and identifying biological warfare agents.
Their primary mission is to detect, identify, mark, sample and report all chemical, biological and radiological contamination and provide forecast information to units deployed in the area of operations.
These systems’ comprehensive detection capabilities are integrated into the high-speed, high-mobility wheeled armoured vehicle, enabling all versions to carry out NBC reconnaissance missions on and off road, even in extremely tough terrain.
Fully qualified, the new Fuchs/Fox 2 basic vehicle performed superbly at extremely high temperatures and in all kinds of terrain during the Middle East ‘summer trials’ and since then during joint army trials and manoeuvres in the region.
The vehicle’s collective protective ventilation system minimizes the risk to the crew, while the air conditioning system facilitates operation in a hot desert climate.
The Fuchs/Fox NBC and BIO RS are able to take samples from the air, water and ground, immediately analyzing them for the presence of NBC agents.
The reconnaissance system enables rapid and reliable identification of biological warfare agents and other infectious substances using genetic and immunological methods.
All the reconnaissance systems are equipped with fully automated detectors for nuclear radiation as well as sensors for identifying chemical warfare agents and other hazardous materials.
In addition to their inherent identification capabilities both systems can collect samples from soil, water, and vegetation for later reference analysis. They allow real-time transmission of all relevant CBRN information up the chain of command via the Fuchs/Fox command post system as well as immediate marking of contaminated areas to keep out friendly units and civilians.
Fuchs 2 APC specs
Fuchs 2 has a maximum combat weight of 20,000kg and is fully amphibious. The main improved features incorporated into the Fuchs 2 are the integration of a more powerful, low emission engine allowing a payload increase of 4t to a total of 9.4t, depending on the version. The drive and brakes have been upgraded to match the higher power and weight performance.
The height of the rear crew compartment has been increased by 145mm and roof-mounted air louvres have been installed. The cabin is sufficiently large with 10.5m³ stowage capacity to accommodate a range of mission systems.
Fuchs 2 weapons systems
Fuchs 2 can be fitted with a range of weapon systems including a Rheinmetall E8 turret or Rheinmetall low weight RLS 609 weapon station. The E8 turret can be armed with missiles, a 30mm cannon and a 7.62mm machine gun.
The RLS 609 station can be fitted with a 12.7mm machine gun or 40mm grenade launcher for self defence against soft or light armoured vehicles and hostile airborne systems. The RLS 609 provides low noise levels during firing and minimum carbon monoxide concentrations.
Armour steel monocoque hull
The armour steel monocoque hull provides all-round 360° protection against 7.62mm armour piercing rounds at 0° obliquity.
Window glass and vision blocks provide the same level of protection as the hull. Armour window shutters can be operated from inside the vehicle.
Add-on armour kits, supplied by IBD, provide protection against 12.7mm and 14.5mm armour piercing rounds, artillery fragments, anti-tank and anti-personnel mines (increasing vehicle weight and consequently decreasing payload). A passive armour kit over the frontal arc provides protection against 30mm armour piercing rounds.
Access to the driver’s station is via two side doors. Troops have fast access to the crew station by two outward opening rear doors or via a rear ramp door. The rear ramp is power operated. The crew and driver can also use two roof-mounted hatches.
With the optional amphibious suite, the vehicle is able to enter and exit water by steep banks and is fully amphibious.
Diesel engine
The MTU 6V 199 TE20 diesel engine is fitted with direct fuel injection, an exhaust gas turbocharger, liquid cooling and electronic engine management system. The engine is rated 315kW at 1,800rpm.
The ZF 6 HP602 six-speed, fully automatic transmission has an integrated retarder, an STV 502 primary gearbox and STU 13000 secondary gearbox.
The axles on the Fuchs 2 have been upgraded to carry higher wheel loads. Steering is controlled via a LS7FS Daimler Chrysler gearbox and connecting steering rods to the first two axles. The fuel system includes two bullet-proof, self-sealing rubber bladder tanks installed in the sides of the welded hull in armour steel housings.
Armoured vehicles for clearing IEDs
The German Bundeswehr has last year contracted with Rheinmetall to supply it with seven Fuchs/Fox armoured vehicles specially configured for detecting and identifying roadside bombs, mines and so on. This new Fuchs/Fox variant is called the KAI, short for its official Germany designation, “Kampfmittelaufklärung und –identifizierung”.
Besides excellent crew protection, the Fuchs/Fox KAI features a multiple-joint, high-precision manipulator arm with a 10-metre reach and heavy lifting capacity. The manipulator arm makes it possible for EOD personnel to examine and identify unexploded ordnance and IEDs with extreme precision from a safe standoff without leaving the safety of the fighting compartment. Moreover, a special rescue platform can be used for evacuating personnel and equipment from the danger zone.
The Fuchs/Fox vehicle used for the KAI platform is the latest version of this tried and tested 6x6-wheeled vehicle, which occupies a prominent place in the Bundeswehr inventory.
In addition, the Fuchs/Fox 1A8 is equipped with highly effective anti-landmine and IED protection elements, special suspended seating that keeps the crew’s feet off the floor of the hull, textile rifle holders and nets for securing all wall-mounted equipment.
The Bundeswehr plans to deploy the KAI in Afghanistan starting in the fourth quarter of 2014. Even in a drawdown scenario there are numerous vehicle movements, and countering the threat from booby traps and roadside bombs will be as important as ever.
The Fuchs/Fox 1A8, which the Bundeswehr mainly deploys in Afghanistan, is the best-protected wheeled armoured vehicle in its weight class now in service with the German armed forces.
Reference / photo Credit:www.rheinmetall-defence.com
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