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| Description |
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The Wisent 8x8 armored transport vehicle was developed by Rheinmetall to meet the German Army requirement. The prototype of the Wisent, a German GFF Class 4 vehicle combining high mobility with excellent protection against ballistic, landmine, IED and CBRN threats. Road testing, which began in October 2008, only a few months after the last Eurosatory, has been successfully completed, as has protection qualification. Still to come are the climate trials, which will also take place in 2010, the final stage in the comprehensive testing programme. In October 2010, Rheinmetall MAN Military Vehicles GmbH (RRMV) of Munich has entered a farreaching agreement with Timoney Technology Ltd. of Gibbstown, Ireland, to cooperate in the military logistic and tactical vehicle sector. Under a license agreement, Timoney Technology will develop and produce independent suspension systems and power trains for all new RMMV vehicles equipped with all-wheel drive and independent suspension, including systems with two, three or four axles. Based on the Timoney power train technology in Rheinmetall’s Wisent armoured transport vehicle, the result will be a new, highmobility family of vehicles systematically designed to meet the needs of the military. The new Wisent, an 8x8 all-wheel drive armoured vehicle, is a first example of fruitful cooperation between the two companies. During intensive qualification trials conducted under the Bundeswehr’s GFF 4 procurement programme, the vehicle handled superbly and, thanks to its high-performance chassis, had no problem coping with even the most challenging off-road conditions. Serial production of the Wisent could begin as early 2012 in Kassel, a traditional centre of excellence of the German automotive engineering and armoured vehicle industries. At Eurosatory 2010 Rheinmetall is presenting for the first time a prototype of the Wisent, a German GFF Class 4 vehicle combining high mobility with excellent protection against ballistic, landmine, IED and CBRN threats. The GFF Class 4 requirement is for a vehicle with a gross vehicle weight (GVW) of 25 tonnes with a high level of protection against a variety of threats including small arms fire, artillery fragments, anti-tank mines and Improvised Explosive Devices (IED). The Wisent can serve as a carrier platform for a multitude of different GTF missions and systems with containers and pallets (including flatbeds), assuring optimum transport of cargo. Equipped with a crane, the Wisent 10x10 can load and unload transport containers by itself. Owing to its very large load-carrying capacity, the same variant can be used as a platform for heavy equipment such as air defence radar or optional weapon stations for self-defence. The Bundeswehr plans to buy 240 protected multifunctional vehicles by 2011; BWB has already issued a request for tenders to that effect.
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Variants :
The Wisent is available in 6x6, 8x8 and 10x10 configurations.
- Wisent 10x10
- Wisent 10x10 with crane
- Wisent 6x6 with container
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| Armament |
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The Wisent also lends itself to the integration of a remote control weapon station, thus meeting customer requirements for more robust capabilities. In accordance with Federal Agency for Defence Technology and Procurement (BWB) specifications, Rheinmetall plans to equip the Wisent with a remote-control weapon station for weapons ranging in calibre from 7.62mm machine guns to 40mm automatic grenade launchers, providing it with a robust self-defence capability. The remote weapon system can be installed on the roof and aimed and fired under complete armour protection.
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| Protection |
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The Wisent cab and mission module have a high level of protection against various threats, including direct fire, artillery shell splinters, mine blasts and improvised explosive devices. It provides protection against 7.62-mm armor-piercing rounds and can withstand 8 kg mine explosion under the hull. The Wisent concept is so expandable that the vehicle's protection far exceeds the GFF Class 4 specifications. The mission module, also known as the multipurpose build-on, has a 1.80 metre-high interior, designed to provide adequate space for a variety of equipment kits, with no need to dispense with excellent protection against landmines, IEDs, ballistic and NBC threats.
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| Propulsion |
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The chassis of the Wisent was developed by Rheinmetall. It incorporates a number of proven automotive components. Wisent is powered by a MAN D2066 turbocharged diesel engine, developing 430 hp. The new Wisent 8x8 with the new independent suspension systems and power trains, which equipped all new RMMV (Rheinmetall MAN Military Vehicles GmbH) vehicles with all-wheel drive and independent suspension, including systems with two, three or four axles.
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| Accessories |
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The Wisent is fully equipped with NBC protection system. An unloaded Wisent it is air transportable by C-130 Hercules transport aircraft and also by the new Airbus A400M.
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| Specifications |
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Armament
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Remote weapon system with 7.62-mm, 12.7-mm machine guns or 40-mm automatic grenade launcher.
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Country users
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Prototype
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Designer Company
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Rheinmetall - Timoney
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Accessories
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NBC protection system, independent suspension
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Crew
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2 + 12 soldiers
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Armor
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7.62-mm armor-piercing rounds and can withstand 8 kg mine explosion under the hull.
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Weight
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26,000 kg maximum
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Speed
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105 km/h
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Range
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700 km
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Dimensions
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Length, 7,75 m; Width, 2,55 m; Height, 3,05 m
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