Boxer (armoured fighting vehicle)

Infobox Weapon
name=Boxer


caption= German GTK Boxer prototype
origin=flagcountry|Germany flagcountry|Netherlands
type=
is_vehicle=yes
crew= 3 (+8)
length= 7.88 m
width= 2.99 m
height= 2.37 m (baseline vehicle)
weight= 25.2 t (vehicle); 33 t (gross)
armour=
primary_armament= 40mm automatic grenade launcher (Heckler & Koch GMG) or MG3
secondary_armament=
engine=Diesel
engine_power= 530 kW
suspension=
speed= 103 km/h
pw_ratio= 16.1 kW/t (max weight)
vehicle_range= 1,100 km

The Boxer is a German-Dutch multirole armoured fighting vehicle designed to accomplish a number of operations through the use of installable mission modules. It is produced by the ARTEC GmbH (ARmoured vehicle TEChnology) industrial group, and the programme is being managed by OCCAR (Organisation for Joint Armament Cooperation). ARTEC GmbH is seated in Munich, its parent companies are Krauss-Maffei Wegmann and Rheinmetall on the German side, and Stork PWV (now also a subsidiary of Rheinmetall) for the Netherlands. Other names are GTK (Gepanzertes Transport Kraftfahrzeug; "armoured transport vehicle") Boxer and "MRAV" for Multirole Armoured Vehicle (obsolete).

Production history

The Boxer is a cooperative European design project aimed at producing the next generation of armored utility vehicle. The project was originally started as a joint venture between Germany, Britain and France, but France left the programme in 1999, later to pursue their own design, the VBCI. However, in early 2001 the Netherlands signed a Memorandum of Understanding and joined the project. In July 2003, shortly after the start of the Iraq war, the UK Ministry of Defence announced its intention to withdraw from the Boxer programme and focus on the Future Rapid Effect System (FRES). Each partner in the programme (including the UK) is to receive four prototypes by July 2004. The first prototype was delivered to Germany in 2002 and is undergoing evaluation trials in Germany. The first Dutch prototype was delivered in October 2003. Production deliveries were scheduled to commence in 2004, but the numerous design changes and political problems delayed production until 2008.

The Netherlands requires around 400 Boxers, to replace the M577 and the support variants of the YPR-765 in the Royal Netherlands Army, with the Netherlands having already confirmed the procurement of 200 vehicles in autumn of 2006. The fighting versions of the YPR-765 will be replaced by the CV90 IFV.

On December 13, 2006 the German parliament approved the procurement of 272 Boxers for the German Army [cite web |url=http://www.defense-update.com/newscast/1206/news/141206_boxer.htm |title=German Parliament Approves Boxer Acquisition |publisher=Defense-update.com|accessdate=2006-12-13 ] , to replace shares of its M113 and Fuchs Tpz 1 vehicles. When the high numbers of Fuchs´ become obsolete by 2020, more Boxers are likely to follow.

So far, about 600 Boxers are planned for the German Army.

In June 2007, the Boxer was being considered for the British FRES programme.

Design

The Boxer is an eight-wheeled MRAV, easily dwarfing most contemporary vehicles with its size. At 33 ton combat weight, it is also about 10 tons heavier than many other contemporary vehicles within the same role. It is designed to carry out a variety of utility missions with maximum flexibility; this is achieved via several different "mission modules" specialized for various tasks which are available separately from the vehicle. The base vehicle is independent of the modules, and modules can be interchanged within an hour. Each module incorporates a primary safety cell with a triple floor.

Known mission modules

*Headquarters
*Medical
*Logistics
*Armored personnel carrier
*ambulance
*Battle damage repair
*120mm mortar

The Boxer is built with a high degree of standardization, and designed to be maintained easily and efficiently. It is capable of being air transported in the future A400M tactical airlifter.

Protection

The basic vehicle shell is composed of hard steel, and "modular armor" is sandwiched between it and the vehicle cell. The three elements are held together by fastening bolts. The modular armor, currently, is a specialized ceramic mix, but future versions of the armor can be easily fitted to the vehicle by slab replacement. The hull protects against top attack bomblets and AP mines, including "hanging" seats to improve crew protection from explosions below the vehicle. The vehicle is outfitted with advanced thermal, radar, and acoustic stealth technology.

ee also

* KMW Grizzly
* Mungo ESK
* Rheinmetall YAK
* AGF (Light infantry vehicle)
* ATF Dingo

References

External links

* [http://www.artec-boxer.com/ Artec Website]
* Army Technology [http://www.army-technology.com/projects/mrav/index.html Boxer Information]