Fuchs 2 NBC arrive in Gulf
Christopher F Foss
Just two years after the order was placed with German company Rheinmetall Landsysteme, a Gulf state has taken delivery of the first Fuchs 2 (6x6) NBC (Nuclear, Biological and Chemical) RS (Reconnaissance Systems) vehicles. The contract covered the supply of a significant quantity of Fuchs 2 NBC RS vehicles plus a complete training and support package.
There are three Fuchs 2 NBC RS versions being supplied, NBC reconnaissance vehicles, bio vehicles and mobile command post vehicles. These will start to be fielded in the middle of this year. The primary role of these vehicles is to detect, identify, mark, sample and report all chemical, biological and radiological contamination and to provide forecast information to units deployed in the area of operations.
These will be fitted with a complete range of sensors, communications and land navigation systems and, according to Rheinmetall Landsysteme, are the most advanced vehicles of their type to be developed by the company. The systems integrated into the Fuchs 2 NBC RS can be operated while the vehicle is on the move.
An air conditioning system will be fitted as standard to allow for operations in the high temperatures encountered in the Gulf. All of these are based on the new-generation Fuchs 2 (6x6) armoured personnel carrier chassis. This is a further development of the original Fuchs, of which more than 1,200 have been built for the home and export market by Rheinmetall Landsysteme (Outdoor Stand OD150). When compared with the older Fuchs, the new-generation Fuchs 2 has a host of improvements including greater payload, stronger suspension, upgraded brakes, CAN-Bus and greater internal volume owing to a raised roof line. Standard equipment on all Fuchs 2 NBC RS vehicles will be the latest generation Rheinmetall Landsysteme Model 609E remote controlled weapon station (RCWS) mounted on the roof. This is prepared to receive a 12.7mm M2 Heavy Machine Gun and is laid onto the target using a Thales Sophie thermal imaging system modified to meet local requirements.
For improved cross-country mobility, Fuchs 2 is fitted with a central tyre pressure regulation system that allows the driver to adjust the tyre pressure to suit the terrain. Fuchs 2 is fitted with a powerpack consisting of a MTU 6V 199 TE20 turbocharged diesel developing 315kW coupled to a ZF 6HP 602 fully automatic transmission. This gives a maximum road speed of 100km/h and an operating range of about 700km.
Fuchs 2 NBC RS vehicles retain their full amphibious capability, with a maximum speed of 10km/h being attained using the two propellers located at the rear.
 The Fuchs 2 NBC will be fielded in the Gulf in mid-2007 |