Boar (tank)

Boar
Mine clearance tank Keiler
General properties
crew	2 (driver, commander)
length	8.67 m (when cleared: 10.7 m)
width	3.80 m (when cleared: 6.35 m)
height	3.84 m (when cleared: 2.98 m)
Dimensions	53 t
Armor and armament
Main armament	no
Secondary armament	Smoke throwing system
agility
drive	MTU eight-cylinder diesel engine MB 871 Ka-501 with exhaust gas turbocharger 818 kW (1112 hp)
suspension	Torsion bar
Top speed	48 km / h (road)
Power / weight	15.4 kW / t
Range	350 km

The main function of the mine clearance tank (MiRPz) Keiler is to safely clear alleyways through mine barriers under armor protection and is used in the armored engineer companies of the Bundeswehr .

Development history

The Keiler mine clearance system was developed by MaK GmbH in Kiel, Thyssen Henschel Wehrtechnik (both have been part of Rheinmetall Landsysteme since 1992 and 1999 ), MTU Friedrichshafen and Renk AG . The base of the M48 Patton A2CA2 was chosen. Between 1996 and 1998 the MaK company, as general contractor, delivered 24 vehicles with a total value of 114 million German marks to the armored pioneer companies of the Bundeswehr.

Function description

The Keiler is able to clear all known types of concealed or open land mines ( rifle and anti-tank mines ) with the help of its hydraulically driven tiller . To do this, he mills an alley 4.70 m wide and 25 cm deep with 24 clearing elements rotating against the direction of travel (elephant feet), which are attached to a movable clearing device. The mines are triggered, destroyed or thrown aside. The speed in the clearing operation, which depends on the soil condition and clearing depth, is between 0.5 km / h and 4.5 km / h. The lane cleared in this way can be marked with a clearing lane marking system CLAMS ( Clear Lane Marking System ). The clearing markers are laid manually or automatically at intervals of 6, 12, 24 or 48 meters.

Due to the stresses and strains and to protect the crew during the evacuation, the decision was made to use the cast hull of the M48 Patton , which offers better protection than a welded hull. As a further modification, the Keiler has a foldable, slide-like bow shield, which enables a stable clearing process and compensates for the bow-heaviness in the clearing operation.

The effectiveness (98%) of the mine clearance vehicle was demonstrated during the UN operation in Somalia and at SFOR . Due to its functional principle, which accepts that mines are not triggered and only thrown to the side, it is a purely military device and not suitable for clearing areas in the context of humanitarian operations.

Technical specifications

Keiler in marching position
The bow shield, the “feelers for the depth” left and right and the two supports for the clearing elements can be seen clearly.

Keiler in the clearance operation during the SFOR operation in Bosnia-Herzegovina

Mine clearance system KEILER
Clearance effectiveness:	98%
Clearing speed:	0.5 km / h to 4.5 km / h
Clearing width:	4.70 m
Clearance depth:	0.25 m
Combat weight:	53 t
Ground clearance:	245 mm
Gradeability:	Max. 60%
Climbing ability:	220 mm
Bank slope:	Max. 30%
Trench crossing ability:	1,620 mm
Wading ability or preparation:	800 mm with clearing lane marking box (CLAMS); 1,220 mm without
Fuel quantity:	1111 l
Fuel consumption :	Road: approx. 320 l / 100 km Terrain: approx. 580 l / 100 km Clearing operation: approx. 320 l / h
Cooling:	Liquid circulation cooling with closed circuit
Transmission:	Renk HSWL 284 M; four forward and two reverse gears

Users

Besides Germany, Poland has been using four boars from the Bundeswehr since 2002.

Web links

Commons : Mine clearing tank Keiler  - Collection of pictures, videos and audio files

• Mine clearance tank Keiler - side with the German Army
• Mine clearance tank "Keiler" - page at www.Panzer-Modell.de
• Mine clearing tank Keiler - Film of the Bundeswehr on YouTube