Heavy load transporter of the Bundeswehr
The heavy load transporter ( SLT ) Elefant, Franziska and Mammut are special military developments of the Bundeswehr and are used in the repair, transport and logistics battalions of the divisions and corps as well as the armed forces base .
History of origin
SLT 50 "Elephant"
The armored transporter of the first generation of the Bundeswehr, the 25t glw Faun 1212/45 VSA , had too low a transport load at the beginning of the 1960s and was replaced by a new one. The further development of this vehicle, the Faun 1212 / 50VS with four driven axles and the MTU / Mercedes-Benz MB 837 ea 500 (a development from the Leopard 1 engine) as the engine, is considered to be the prototype of the later SLT 50. Together with the USA, under the designation HET (Heavy Equipment Transport) 70 / SLT 50, the joint development of a new transporter, including for the Kampfpanzer 70 project, was tackled.
When the project was discontinued in 1970, the tank transporter was also stopped and Faun and Krupp were commissioned with a new development, as there was still a need. Mobility in the battlefield, recovery in the field and the transport of large equipment even in unfavorable road conditions were required. The first pre-series models were tested as early as 1971, and the results resulted in an order for series production. In April 1976 Faun delivered the first of a total of 324 all-terrain tractors SLT 50-2 (Bundeswehr designation: semitrailer tractor , heavy, gl, 8 × 8 heavy-duty transporter SLT 50-2 ). Delivery ended in 1979. After purchasing the license from Krupp, Kässbohrer delivered the same number of trailers (Bundeswehr designation: semitrailer 52t, low loader, mil, gl, 8 × 0) . In 1988 the tractors were subjected to an increase in value. The hydraulics were renewed, the braking system improved and the entire electrical system relocated.
From 1995 to 1999 the machines came to Faun for a major overhaul and were converted from 50-2 to 50-3. Most of the changes weren't that noticeable. Above all, work was carried out on the suitability for road traffic (rear-view mirrors, all-round warning lights, marker lights) and the comfort for the crew. The ergonomics in the cockpit have been improved and asbestos-free materials have been used. The vehicle underwent the greatest modification in the engine area, where the MB 8 cylinder was exchanged for a new Deutz 12 cylinder with the same rated output, but with improved economy and more torque. In this context, the transmission of the SLT 50 was also modified.
As a result, the tractor can now also pull the new trailer with a maximum payload of 56/59 tonnes.
As part of the foreign missions, ten SLT 50-3s were equipped by the Bundeswehr in cooperation with Rheinmetall with additional armor (modular protective equipment, MSA) in order to increase the level of protection for the crew.
SLT 56 "Franziska"
With the introduction of the Leopard 2 , a new tank transporter was also required, which could transport the new tracked vehicle with its increased total weight. The decision was made in favor of a non-all-terrain construction, as the Bundeswehr's requirement only included transport over asphalt roads in the interior of the country. A first prototype was tested under the designation FS42.75 / 42 as early as 1979. These tests with a KHD BF 12L413 FC and a 16-speed transmission ZF equipped prototype ended only 1988. The final designation FS 45.75 / 42 (army name: Tractor unit, heavy, 8 × 6 ), the vehicle then Faun in Series manufactured; it received a 56 t trailer (Bundeswehr designation: semitrailer 56t, low loader, tmil, 12 × 0 ) from the Kässbohrer company.
At first glance, the SLT 56 is very similar to the SLT50-2 / 3. The differences only become apparent on closer inspection, especially in the area of the front and the engine behind the cab.
In total, the Bundeswehr procured 49 armored transporters in 1989, which were modified in 1993 based on the experience in Somalia .
SLT 2 "Mammoth"
With the introduction of the Leopard 2A6M and the introduction of the increased combat value on the Leopard 2A7 , the need for a heavy-duty transporter that would be able to transport the Bundeswehr's battle tank, which had become heavier again, became clear. Rheinmetall MAN Military Vehicles (RMMV) presented a new tractor unit.
Heavy load transporter SLT 50 "Elefant"
The heavy-duty transporter "Elefant" is one of the vehicles of the second generation and was put into service from the late 1970s. The 50-2 tractor unit is driven by a water-cooled Mercedes-Benz diesel engine that is located behind the driver's cab. The power is distributed to all four axles via a converter gearbox, the first two being designed as steering axles. The semi-trailer with a total payload of 52 t has a loading area of 7800 × 3150 mm; its height can be adjusted hydraulically by + 100 / −80 mm. The hydraulic-mechanical control of the four axles depends on the articulation angle between the tractor and the semitrailer and takes place via the so-called "sliding block" of the trailer.
With the conversion to the designation 50-3, the tractor received a new twelve-cylinder Deutz diesel engine with charge air cooling, direct injection and exhaust gas turbocharger. Other changes were:
- Adhesive film as warning signs
- air-suspension seats and additional reversing lights
- Introduction of the 56t semitrailer
- Air conditioning with MSA equipment
For recovery and loading, the elephant has two Rotzler hydro rope winches with 43 m rope length and a tensile load of 18.6 t per winch.
Technical specifications
| SLT 50-2 with app. 52t | SLT 50-3 MSA with appendix 52t | |
|---|---|---|
| Type: | all-terrain tank transporter | all-terrain tank transporter |
| Engine: | 8-cylinder MTU MB 837 EA-500 diesel engine with two exhaust gas turbochargers |
12-cylinder Deutz MWM TBD234 diesel engine with two exhaust gas turbochargers |
| Displacement : | 29,920 cc | 21,600 cc |
| Power: | 537 kW (730 hp ) | 540 kW (735 hp) |
| Cooling: | Liquid cooling | Liquid cooling |
| Gearbox : | automatic 4- speed ZF transmission W500-10 | automatic 4-speed ZF transmission W500-10 4PW 200 H2 |
| Length over all: | 18,830 mm | 18,830 mm |
| Width over everything: | 3,150 mm | 3,150 mm |
| Height above everything: | 3,300 mm | 3,300 mm |
| Wading ability: | 800 mm | 800 mm |
| Empty weight: | 38,000 kg | 39,000 kg |
| Total weight: at 40 km / h |
92,000 kg | 92,000 kg |
| MLC | c92 | c94 |
|
Payload : at 40 km / h |
52,000 kg | 52,000 kg |
| Maximum speed: with trailer 56t / 52t with trailer 52t and load over 47.7 t |
65 km / h 62 km / h 40 km / h |
65 km / h 62 km / h 40 km / h |
| Fuel quantity: | 800 l | 800 l |
| Fuel consumption: | Road: 160 l / 100 km | Road: 130 l / 100 km |
| Driving range: | Road: 500 km | Road: 615 km |
| Crew: | 4th | 2 |
| Armament: | 1 MG3 machine gun on rotating ring mount |
1 MG3 machine gun on rotating ring mount |
Heavy-duty transporter SLT 56 "Franziska"
The heavy-duty transporter "Franziska" belongs to the third generation of vehicles and expands the transport capacities for super-heavy battle tanks . The truck looks like the SLT 50-2 “Elefant” with a few exceptions, but it is an independent vehicle. The distinctive distinguishing feature are the double headlights on the front of the vehicle. From a technical point of view, it is the drive, the engine, the semi-trailer and the modified arrangement of winches and storage boxes. Like the elephant, the Franziska transporter is also equipped with two Rotzler cable winches, which can be used to pull a tank or other device onto the low-loader if it is unable to drive. The loading area measures 8900 × 3150 mm, the load is distributed over 24 wheels. In 1993, the Bundeswehr subjected the SLT to a major overhaul. During this time, the fenders were reinforced, the winch cabling changed, air-sprung driver's seats installed and additional storage space created. Note: "Franziska" is - in contrast to "Elefant" - not an officially introduced name.
As part of the UN mission in Somalia, the SLT 56 was in use with the old trailer. The new trailer was never used in white paint. Pictures of the white Franziska tractor with the old trailer can be found in the picture collection on Panzer-Modell.de.
Technical specifications
| SaZgM heavy mil (8 × 6) with appendix 56t | |
|---|---|
| Type: | non-all-terrain tank transporter |
| Engine: | 12-cylinder diesel engine KHD BF L 513C with exhaust gas turbocharger and charge air cooling |
| Displacement: | 19,144 cc |
| Power: | 386 kW (525 hp) |
| Cooling: | Air cooling |
| Transmission: | 8-speed, ZF 4 S-150 GPA |
| Length over all: | 19,700 mm |
| Width over everything: | 3,150 mm |
| Height above everything: | 2,810 mm |
| Wading ability: | 450 mm |
| Empty weight: | 37,700 kg |
| Total weight: at 62 km / h |
94,500 kg |
| MLC | c100 |
| Payload: | 56,000 kg |
| Maximum speed: with trailer 56t / 52t with trailer 52t and load over 47.7 t |
72.2 km / h 62 km / h 40 km / h |
| Fuel quantity: | 800 l |
| Fuel consumption: | Road: 110 l per 100 km |
| Driving range: | Road: 700 km |
| Crew: | 4th |
| Armament: | 1 MG3 machine gun on rotating ring mount |
Semi-trailers
With the introduction of the Leopard 2A5 and A6, the trailer was modified again. The modifications included an additional stability spar, whereby the new payload is now 59.7 t. In addition, mudguards in front of the shock absorbers and spacers between the ramps have been added. As a result, the loading ramps are no longer slightly inclined towards the loading area, which now also allows the MAN 10 t gl to be transported.
Heavy load transporter SLT 2 "Mammut"
The new tractor, referred to by the German Armed Forces as a second-generation heavy-duty transporter - SLT 2 for short - not only has an increased transport weight of up to 70 tons; it was also provided with improved vehicle protection equipment against infantry weapons and shrapnel, which had to be retrofitted as an MSA in the previous heavy-duty transporters. The tractor is based on the MAN HX81, which is equipped with a 680 HP V8 engine from MAN and complies with the Euro5 emissions standard.
The tractor is equipped with two 20-t winches for recovering vehicles and a self-recovery thread on the front of the vehicle with a maximum load of 8 tons. There should be two different trailers for this tractor, which will be procured independently. The smaller one has a maximum payload of 30 tons, the larger one a maximum payload of 70 tons and will therefore also be able to carry the planned Leopard 2A7. The 70 t semi-trailer has seven short axles on each side with twin tires, the first two and the last four of which are steerable in order to reduce turning circle and tire wear.
The permissible total weight of the combination is almost 130 tons. The total length is about 24 meters.
The SLT 2 was put into service with the Bundeswehr in the course of 2012. All twelve combinations ordered should be delivered by the end of 2013. The total price of the vehicles is 12 million euros. In 2015 the Bundeswehr ordered seven more tractors from RMMV.
Technical specifications
| SaZgM heavy mil gesch (8 × 8) FSA with appendix 70t | |
|---|---|
| Type: | All-terrain armored tank transporter |
| Engine: | 8-cylinder common rail diesel engine MAN D2868 with exhaust gas turbocharger and charge air cooling |
| Emissions level: | 5 euro |
| Displacement: | 16,200 cc |
| Power: | 500 kW (680 PS) |
| Cooling: | Water cooling |
| Transmission: | ZF TC-Tronic, automated 12-speed transmission with torque converter and retarder |
| Length over all: | 9,465 mm (tractor unit), approx. 24,000 mm (tractor unit) |
| Width over everything: | 2,550 mm (tractor) |
| Height above everything: | 4,160 mm (with FLW100) |
| Wading ability: | 750 mm |
| Empty weight: | 26,100 kg (tractor) |
| Maximum weight allowed: | 45,000 kg (tractor), 130,000 kg (semitrailer) |
| MLC | unknown until now |
| Payload: | 70,000 kg |
| Top speed: | 89 km / h (electronically limited) |
| Fuel quantity: | 840 L |
| Fuel consumption: | Road: 60 L / 100 km (solo) to 100 L / 100 km (full payload) |
| Driving range: | Road: 1,000 km + |
| Crew: | 2 (+ two free spaces for the crew of the damaged vehicle) |
| Armament: | FLW 100 |
Semi-trailers
The 70t low-bed semi-trailer, which is manufactured by the trailer specialist Doll , has a hydraulic pendulum axle chassis with seven double tires on each side. In connection with the dynamic gooseneck, this should give the trailer a high degree of off-road mobility and driving safety. If necessary, the steering axles of the semitrailer can be controlled manually by remote control. The semitrailer is also equipped with container securing elements and is therefore approved for the transport of two 10-foot ISO containers or one 20-foot ISO container.
The 30t low-loader semi-trailer, also from the manufacturer Doll, has a three-axle chassis with twin tires and independent suspension. It is intended to enable the tractor unit to be used in countries with poor traffic infrastructures. The semi-trailer is telescopic (up to 12 meters in length) so that it can also be used in narrow and impassable terrain. It is possible to transport two 20-foot ISO containers or one 40-foot ISO container.
literature
- Lutz-Reiner Gau, Jürgen Plate, Jörg Siegert : German military vehicles : Bundeswehr and NVA. Motorbuch, Stuttgart 2001, ISBN 3-613-02152-8 .
- Josef Spurný, Jan Martinec: Bundeswehr Tank Transporters (FAUN) in detail. , WWP Publications, ISBN 80-86416-44-5 .
More users
- Turkey SLT Franziska
Web links
- Heavy load transporter SLT Elefant for the German Army
- Heavy-duty transporter SLT 50-3 Elefant in detail at Panzer-Modell.de
- Heavy load transporter SLT 56 Franziska in detail at Panzer-Modell.de
- Heavy-duty transporter SLT 70 in detail at Panzer-Modell.de
- Heavy-duty transporter SLT 2 Mammut in detail at Panzer-Modell.de
- Heavy-duty transporter SLT 2 Mammut in action at Panzer-Modell.de
- Semi-trailer 70t at www.doll-oppenau.com
- 60 seconds Bundeswehr: Mammut ( YouTube video, March 7, 2018)
Individual evidence
- ↑ SLT 50-2 and HET70 at THW Modelliste
- ↑ SLT 2 Mammut: Family growth in the Bundeswehr https://www.eurotransport.de/artikel/slt-2-mammut-familienzuwachs-bei-der-bundeswehr-6638556.html
- ↑ SLT 56 Franziska at Panzer-Modell.de
- ↑ Rheinmetall Man Military Vehicles delivers protected HX 81s to the Bundeswehr ( memento from January 18, 2012 in the Internet Archive ), accessed on March 5, 2012
- ^ Protected articulated truck 2 30t / 70t (Bw) at Panzerbaer
