News

2012-02-01

PUMA The infantry fighting vehicle

The PUMA infantry fighting vehicle sets new international standards in technology and design. Under the umbrella of “Projekt System und Management GmbH” (PSM) headquartered in Kassel, KMW is developing this ambitious programme along with Rheinmetall Landsysteme.

The PUMA unifies in an overall system the contrasting requirements for strategic and tactical mobility on the one hand, and maximum protection as well as high firepower, on the other.

Armament

Main armament: stabilized MK30-2/ABM.

Secondary armament: coaxial MG4.

Mission oriented fire power

Maximum fire power is a prerequisite for successful engagement in high-intensity conflicts and for adequate reactions in other missions with the option of escalation and de-escalation. The Puma achieves this fire power through the interaction of different innovative elements:

The main armament is the fully stabilized, automatic 30 mm MK30-2 ABM fitted to the remote-controlled turret. This weapon designed for target engagement on great distances also on the move. 200 rounds of two types of ammunition are available ready to use. Further 200 rounds are stowed in the chassis.

In addition to existing 30 mm full-calibre and sub-calibre fin-stabilized ammunition, it is also possible to fire the newly developed air burst ammunition with time fuzes. A variety of state of the art optical and optronic vision devices enables the whole crew 360° all-around surveillance, recognition and identification of targets on long distances.

The hunter-killer functionality, as available in the Leopard 2 main battle tank, allows the rapid engagement of several targets within a very short time. PUMA receives an additional weapon system with the integration of the Anti Armour/Multi-Purpose Missile System SPIKE, provided by EuroSpike. The integration of SPIKE boosts the PUMA’s lethality significantly.

Due to the existing interfaces a grenade launcher can be mounted optionally.

MK30-2/ABM

• Calibre: 30 mm.

• Rate of fire: 200 rounds per minute

• Effective range up to 3000 m.

• Envisioned standard ammunition: APFSDS-T and KETF (ABM).

(other types of ammunition possible).

• Alternate firing of different types of ammunition without last shot accomplished by dual ammunition feeding.

• Muzzle velocity measurement and fuze setting of air burst ammunition (ABM).

• Ammunition: 200 rounds ready to fire, additional 200 rounds in storage.

MG 4

The coaxial mounted MG 4 is used as a secondary armament laid and operated analogue to the main weapon.