DSEI 2021: Rheinmetall and RBSL unveil mortar version of Boxer 8x8 armored vehicle.

At DSEI 2021, International Defense Exhibition in London, German company Rheinmetall and its joint venture company, Rheinmetall BAE Systems Land (RBSL), have unveiled a demonstrator Boxer with an 81mm mortar mission module, to showcase the expanded capability and growth potential of the Boxer 8x8 armored vehicle family.

Boxer 8x8 armored vehicle with mortar mission module at DSEI 2021, International Defense Exhibition in London, UK. (Picture source Army Recognition)

The prototype mission module was developed and built in the UK, delivered by an experienced team of engineers and specialists at RBSL’s manufacturing facility in Telford, drawing on the skills and technology shared with Rheinmetall.

The project has been an opportunity to demonstrate the versatility of the Boxer platform, and its ability to satisfy a range of customer requirements. The mortar capability, combined with Boxer’s battle-proven design, also provides a valuable opportunity for UK exports – driving prosperity for the UK.

The prototype uses an 81mm mortar weapon system (MWS81), supplied by Rheinmetall, to demonstrate an indirect fire capability for Boxer crews. The MWS81 is semi-automatic, ensuring minimal mechanical movements and therefore safer performance and higher rate of fire.

The system can fire High Explosive (HE), Smoke, Illumination and other 81mm ammunition, with a fully-automated aiming sequence. The system is also compact, providing increased storage space for ammunition in the vehicle.

The Boxer mortar mission module is versatile, allowing third-party barrels to be integrated, as well as ballistic computers for fully-autonomous operations (in keeping with the “human in the loop” principle, however, the fire order is never an autonomous decision). The MWS81 is also equipped with back-up functionality in the event of any system failure to ensure sustained and credible power.

Inside view of Boxer 8x8 armored vehicle in mortar carrier variant. (Picture source Army Recognition)