Serval (vehicle)
The Serval , named after the African big cat Serval , is an all-wheel-drive , light, air-transportable multi - purpose vehicle from the special vehicle manufacturer Binz . The vehicle is also known as the Wolf AGF (reconnaissance and combat vehicle ) or LIV (SO) Light Infantry Vehicle (Special Operations) . It was originally developed for the Special Forces Command of the German Armed Forces . As is customary with vehicles used by special forces, the vehicle is characterized by its comparatively strong armament and optional light armor.
development
In 2002 the KSK drew attention to the fact that it did not have a suitable multi-purpose vehicle for its ISAF mission in Afghanistan , as the wolf (ESK) intended for this mission turned out to be unsuitable and it was not possible to use it at all could only be maintained because one could fall back on rental vehicles of the type HMMWV of the US Army , which also only partially met the requirements with regard to off-road mobility and payload.
In just one year, Daimler Chrysler developed a vehicle based on the Wolf 270 CDI, which was specially designed for the requirements of special forces. The Serval was first presented in March 2003 at the International Defense Exhibition (IDEX) Abu Dhabi .
Mission profile
Extreme off-road multi-purpose transport vehicle with a long range and heavy armament and enough storage space for special forces, the ideal for Fernspäheinsätze ( Long Range Reconnaissance Patrol is, LRRP).
description
Engine and chassis
With a length of almost five and a height and width of less than two meters and a weight of just over three tons, the Serval can be air-loaded. The CH-53 can transport one vehicle at a time and the Transall C-160 several. For this purpose, the Serval has two hinge eyes on each side, so that it can be lashed accordingly when transported by air ; when transported by helicopter, the vehicle is secured with special straps as an external load.
One of the main operational requirements, the long range, is achieved through an enlarged tank and the economical 2.7 liter CDI engine, which with its 115 kW allows a reduced top speed of 120 km / h. The specific power of 26.7 kW / t, which is relatively high for military vehicles, is the basis for sufficient power even in difficult terrain. Since the Serval has a longer wheelbase than the Wolf and this automatically implies a higher risk of being hit off-road, this disadvantage was offset by a higher ground clearance of the body. The vehicle has a gradeability of almost 60% and is equipped with run- flat tires from BFGoodrich . The particularly large wheel bearings ensure low wear and tear and stable directional stability even in difficult terrain.
Construction and equipment
The construction of the serval comes from the Binz company and meets the troop requirement for sufficient space and payload. The open design enables the crew to dismount quickly and a great all-round view. If necessary, the Serval can be protected against the weather with tarpaulins, these are placed on the roll cage and connected to the fuselage with a zipper. Compared to the Wolf, the angular, removable front windows and the longer body are striking.
The standard crew consists of four men, two seated in front, one standing behind at the primary weapon and another sitting facing backwards at the rear machine gun. If necessary, the Serval can also be equipped with additional seats. The seats are armored down to provide protection from mines. The belt system consists of three different systems, normal seat belts, as in civil vehicles, longitudinal belts instead of doors on the front body and standing belts for the main shooter on the mount.
The Serval is equipped with two spare tires , which are stowed in covered compartments on both sides of the side body behind the front seats. Behind it there is a hinged cover plate on each side, which in the open position offers additional storage space for four fuel canisters. Alternatively, other equipment can also be stored there. The total payload without armament including the crew is around 1.2 tons. There is also a fold-down body panel on the rear panel, which when folded out offers additional storage space.
The vehicle has a trailer coupling with which, like snowmobiles and quads , trailers with additional storage space can be pulled. The loading area inside is relatively small, as there are more coverable compartments on both sides. The side-mounted running plates offer additional splinter protection. As is customary in off-road vehicles, the lighting system is protected by grating.
The Serval has a detachable electric cable winch at the front with which it can retrieve third-party equipment, but can also free itself from a stuck condition if necessary. With the electrically assisted RLS 609 K ring mount from Rheinmetall Landsysteme GmbH , which carries the primary weapon, the target can be kept in sight with little effort , even on bumpy journeys or at a steep angle of inclination. It can be folded up for air transport.
Active self-protection
In addition to the standard Nebelwerfer system with 2 x 3 throwing cups front, and 2 × 2 litter cups back for self-protection, the vehicle is additionally provided with a further mist system, a Light Vehicle Protection equipped (LVP) connected to two five-launch tubes on the bonnet is in the position in To create a smoke screen 30 meters wide and three meters high in fractions of a second, which is reinforced with irritants . Navigation is ensured with a GPS and communication with a satellite communication device .
Camouflage color
The serval was originally delivered in dark olive green , although it was clear that it should only be used at the KSK and primarily in Afghanistan. The necessary adaptation in desert color had to be improvised, as well as the paint in Natooliv.
Armament
The Serval has a machine gun M2HB in 12.7 mm or a grenade machine gun 40 × 53 mm mounted on the roof carriage as its primary weapon . In addition to the usual explosive and fragmentation ammunition, the GMW can also fire irritant gas and smoke cartridges. As secondary weapons, he has two MG3's in 7.62 × 51 mm , one each to the front (vehicle commander ) and one to the rear (rear gunner).
Technical specifications
- Development and production: 2003
- Engine: 270 common rail injection, 2.7 liter 5 cylinder engine with 115 kW (156 hp) diesel engine
- Weight: 3300 kg maximum 4500 kg
- Length / width / height: 4885 mm / 1820 mm / 1870 mm
- Top speed: 120 km / h
- Range:> 500 km (road), with additional tank> 800 km
- Crew: driver plus three
- Drive: all-wheel drive
- Wheels with run-flat properties
- Equipped at the front and rear with a smoke throw system
- Can be air-transported by CH-53 helicopter and C-160 transport aircraft
- Integrated fire extinguishing system
- Detachable electric winch at the front
- Sand sheets
- Global Positioning System
- Satellite communication system
- Roll cage
- Increased intake air intake for the engine
- Tire pressure control system
- Removable front windows
Comparable vehicles
The Serval can best be operated with the Australian Land Rover Perentie in the version 6 × 6 Truck, Long Range Patrol, Light, Winch, MC2 (Long Range Patrol Vehicle) of the Australian Special Air Service Regiment or the Interim Fast Attack Vehicle (Mercedes -Benz MB 290 GD 1.5 t) of the United States Marine Corps . From the range of applications, but not technically, also with the British Land Rover Wolf from Land Rover , which is in use by the Special Air Service .
Users
The Special Forces Command (KSK) reported a need for such a vehicle in 2002, as the Wolf, which is otherwise used in the Bundeswehr, was out of the question for this use. The company Rheinmetall Land Systems delivered 21 vehicles to the Special Forces Command. In March 2019, the Federal Office for Equipment, Information Technology and Use of the Bundeswehr announced the successor to the vehicle in two categories. The total number of units for AGF 2 and UFK (Medium Tactical Support Vehicle Command) is 80 vehicles. The ballistic protection and mine protection corresponds to STANAG 4569, AEP-55.
In 2006, the Swiss Army ordered a small number of vehicles for the Army Reconnaissance Detachment , the delivery of which began in 2007. The vehicle bears the official designation "Leichtes Aufklärungs- und Hilfsfahrzeug LAUF " and is armed with a machine gun 64/93 (12.7 mm) and a machine gun 51 (7.5 mm) in the passenger seat .
Web links
- rheinmetall-defence.com Site of the manufacturer
- More pictures at the RK Bodenwerder
- mediathek.admin.ch Pictures of the Swiss off-road vehicle "LAUF"
Individual evidence
- ↑ 6 × 6 LRPV at remlr.com ( memento of December 11, 2008 in the Internet Archive ), accessed on November 24, 2008
- ↑ Germany-Koblenz: Armored Military Vehicles 2019 / S 043-099378 Order announcement delivery order via TED (Tenders Electronic Daily) of the European Union
- ↑ Rheinmetall Defense press archive 2007
- ^ Center for Electronic Media ZEM of the VBS
