The Boxer is a technology demonstrator. It is therefore a demonstration of the development and production potential of KMW, not a final prototype designed for a specific customer. KMW manufactures tanks and wheeled armored vehicles, but the medium tracked vehicle is simply missing from its portfolio.
Even Puma is a product of PSM (Project System Management), a joint venture between KMW and Rheinmetall. The KMW with the crawler Boxer actually competes with the Lynx vehicle from Rheinmetall. However, the crawler Boxer will definitely attract the attention of users of wheeled Boxers.
Although KMW calls its new machine a “crawler Boxer”, the undercarriage has no components in common with the wheeled Boxer. But the conceptual solution is the same. Both wheeled and crawler Boxers have a special storage tray on the body, into which special modules are inserted. These modules can be moved freely between the belt and wheel versions – all mechanical and electrical interfaces are the same. However, it is of course necessary to observe the different load capacities of the wheel and crawler chassis (see below).
The crawler Boxer has a wider chassis. There are (there may be) tilting side panels on the sides of the body. When inserting the module, the panels tilt to the sides. The panels can be used to transport additional material or additional armor (composite, reactive).
Tracked and wheeled Boxer in armored personnel carrier version; larger photo / KMW
In total, there are already more than 20 different modules. The belt or wheeled Boxer can be used to create an armored personnel carrier, self-propelled howitzer 155 mm (RCH155), evacuation vehicle (MEDEVAC), command post, infantry fighting vehicle or tank destroyer with a 105 mm cannon (Boxer MGS). At Eurosatory, KMW introduced a new module with a 120 mm caliber tank cannon.
The belt carrier of the modules has six travel wheels, the engine is located on the left front and the driver to the right of it. There is also room for the vehicle commander in the chassis part (outside the module). The carrier itself weighs 28 tons, so the module can weigh up to 17 tons. The crawler Boxer therefore manages to transport heavier modules than the wheeled version.
The drive is provided by a turbodiesel engine MTU 881 CR with an output of 880 kW (1180 hp). With a maximum machine weight of 45 tons, the power to weight ratio is 19.6 kW per tonne. Top speed is 100 kilometers per hour and a fixed route of 500 kilometers.
Module with bridge set for wheeled and crawler Boxer; larger photo / DP
The engine is mated to a fully digitally controlled Renk HSWL 256 transmission with six forward and six reverse gears, which is derived from the BVP Puma transmission. The power pack can be removed from the vehicle in a few minutes using a crane. The crawler Boxer is also ready to install a hybrid diesel-electric drive. The conveyor belts can be steel or rubber (composite).
The crawler Boxer handles 60% incline, moves longitudinally on 30% of the slope, overcomes a 2.5 meter wide ditch and overcomes a 0.8 meter high vertical obstacle. It has a ground clearance of 0.45 meters and overcomes a 1.8 meter deep ford.
At Eurosatory, the Boxer was equipped with a new RCT120 module weighing 14 tons. The tower itself with a 120 mm cannon weighs eight to nine tons.
Belt Boxer; larger photo / KMW
The module contains space for commanders, shooters and a six-member airdrop. It is therefore probably the first belt machine that carries a 120mm cannon and a parachute of soldiers. The author of this article does not dare to speculate for what purposes such a combination can be used. But he likes to read the opinions in the discussion.
The cannon tower is remotely controlled and does not interfere with the landing area. The attachment and recoil of the cannon are designed to allow elevation of the barrel -10 ° to + 20 °. Reportedly up to + 30 ° in the future.
The tower has a charging machine for 15 rounds of 120 mm caliber. At the cost of larger tower dimensions, the number of rounds in the machine can be increased. KMW is also preparing a solution for refilling ammunition from inside the vehicle. In addition to the cannon, you can also place a coaxial cannon with a caliber of 30 mm – the question is whether it has a real application in combat or it is “just” the marketing position of KMW “we can do such things.”
Belt Boxer with RCT120 module; larger photo / KMW
The tower can be supplemented with a pair of anti-tank missiles Spike LR and a remote-controlled module with a 12.7 mm machine gun – it also works as a means of air defense. The vehicle also has an Active Protection System (APS) Trophy. The remote controlled module can use data from Trophy radars. These radars can monitor not only incoming projectiles or missiles, but also drones.
In general, it doesn’t make much sense to discuss the technical details of a demonstrator. The Belt Boxer is simply an example of the potential of KMW. And if a customer orders a vehicle, they will get whatever equipment and systems they want.
But the Belt Boxer can help unravel the plight of the British Army’s Ajax combat program. The Ajax program has been running for 12 years, has cost £ 3 billion so far, and the first vehicle was due to be delivered in 2017. But Ajax has problems with strong vibrations and noise, which damages soldiers’ hearing.
At the same time, the United Kingdom is buying 500 Boxers (the total demand is up to 1,500 vehicles) and the tracked version may at least partially fill the gap in the British military’s capabilities, created by the five-year delay of the Ajax program.
Sources: EDR, KMW
Tags: German multipurpose armored vehicle Boxer
-
