FUCHS 2 ARMOURED WHEELED VEHICLE, GERMANY
The Fuchs 2 armoured personnel carrier is a new version of the 6 x
6 Fuchs (Fox) Transportpanzer 1. The vehicles are built by
Rheinmetall Landsysteme, based in Kiel and Kassel in Germany.
Rheinmetall has delivered 1,236 Fuchs 1 vehicles in a variety of
mission variants. The vehicles are in service with the German Army
and the armed forces of Saudi Arabia, The Netherlands, United
Kingdom, USA and Venezuela. The Fuchs has been in operational
service with German KFOR troops in Kosovo and Macedonia. Trials of
the Fuchs 2 began in 2001.
In February 2005, the United Arab Emirates placed an order for
Fuchs NBC (Nuclear, Biological and Chemical) reconnaissance
vehicles which will be based on the Fuchs II.
The 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. Other improvements include the digital
onboard system to CAN-Standard SAE J 1939 and a central tyre
inflation system.
The cabin is sufficiently large with 10.5m³ stowage capacity to
accommodate a range of mission systems. The family of Fuchs 2
vehicles includes an NBC protection vehicle, reconnaissance, C4I
command, control, communications and intelligence, C3I, mortar
carrier and an electronic warfare vehicle.
FUCHS 2 WEAPONS SYSTEMS
The 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. A remote controlled RLS 609 is equipped with a CCD
camera, liquid crystal display monitor and joystick control for
operation of the weapon systems from within the vehicle.
FUCHS 2 ARMOUR STEEL MONOCOQUE HULL
The armour steel monocoque hull provides all round 360° protection
against 7.62mm armour piercing (AP) 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
Discarded Sabot (APDS) rounds.
The vehicle can be fitted with an intercom and radio, driver's and
commander's night vision system, an integrated global positioning
system and vehicle navigation set.
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. The rear of
the vehicle is fitted with two Schottel propellers which can turn
through 360° and give a water speed of 10km/h.
The vehicle is equipped with a Nuclear, Biological and Chemical
warfare (NBC) protection system.
TE20 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. It is possible for the driver to activate the differential
locks longitudinally and latitudinally whilst on the move. A
pressure control valve on the third axle prevents axle blockage
during manoeuvres involving emergency braking.
Steering is controlled via a LS7FS Daimler Chrysler gearbox and
connecting steering rods to the first two axles. The 14.00 - 20
radial tyres can be optionally fitted with run flat capability. A
Central Tyre Inflation System (CTIS) ensures the Fuchs 2 retains
mobility in the event of damage to one or all tyres.
The fuel system includes two bullet-proof, self sealing rubber
bladder tanks installed in the sides of the welded hull in armour
steel housings.
ELECTRICAL POWER
The vehicle has a 24V electrical system with four 200Ah batteries
and a 6.5kW generator. The CAN standard SAE J 1939 digital
electrical system provides vehicle status data and details of
component failure to the Driver Information System.
