A radical reshaping of the army was completed by the end of
1994, in which the Bundeswehr was adapted to the diminishing threat in
Central Europe, the recasting of NATO's force structure, and Germany's
1990 commitments to reduce its force level and armaments. These
commitments were embodied in the Treaty on the Final Settlement with
Respect to Germany, or, as it is more commonly known, the Two-Plus-Four
Treaty signed in September 1990 and the CFE Treaty signed that November.
According to these commitments, manpower had to be reduced so that all
services could meet the CFE ceiling of 370,000 by December 1994, with a
sublimit of 345,000 for the army and air force. The treaty obligations
were met successfully, and in early 1995 the Bundesheer amounted to about
255,000 soldiers, of whom about 123,000 were conscripts. The army consists
of three corps, under the overall direction of the Army Forces Command. As of 1995, Germany had kept little of the weaponry of the
former NVA, giving away many spare parts, destroying huge caches of
weapons and ammunition, and selling surplus equipment.In accordance with several international commitments, no
nuclear, biological, or chemical weapons are in the German arms inventory.Current planning aims for further manpower cuts. Recent
leaks from the Ministry of Defense suggest that within this decade the
Bundeswehr shall be reduced to an active strength of 285,000 soldiers
(with a mobilization volume of 500,000)
In future, conscripts will serve
for nine months, rather than the present 10, and the number in the army at
any time is set to fall from 130,000 to 80,000. And the number of civilian
administrators is supposed to go down below 90,000. The future structure
of the German Army will focus on a twofold mission:
Collective Defense within NATO means that all Army fighting units
could be involved including conscripts and reservists.
Operation other than war ranging from humanitarian relief operations
to peace enforcement operations. These mission will be executed by
reaction forces, which are manned exclusivly by volunteer soldiers.
For very large scale collective defensive Operations of NATO
the German Army will contribute up to five mechanized divisions. These
divisions will exist in peacetime but most of them will need
reinforcements by reservists for large operations. Main feature of
the Bundeswehr since its beginnings has been international cooperation.
All German army divisions are working closely together with Allies within
five multinational Corps HQ: ACE Rapid Reaction Corps, Eurocorps, V.
(US/GE) Corps, 1.(GE/NL) Corps, Multinational Corps North East. The HQ of
II. (GE/US) Corps has a specific mission: in addition to be prepared as a
Corps HQ for NATO Operations it also will prepare to become a Force HQ for
military EU Operations (Petersberg Tasks), and it may serve as a HQ for
national tasks.
The Equipment of the German Army already consists of very
capable and reliable weapons systems e.g. the main battle tank Leopard II
or the new artillery gun system Panzerhaubitze 2000 as well as
operationally proven UAVs. Further modernization will focus an command,
control, communications and intelligence as well as on new systems like
the 110 TIGER combat helicopters, the 108 NH 90 utility helicopters which
will establish a true air mechanized capability. Also lighter systems like
the reconnaissance vehicle FENNEK and the armored transportation vehicle
DINGO will improve the capabilities significantly.
Equipment of the German Army (Heer) :
Armoured Vehicles :
- Leopard 2 A4/A5 MBT
Following the cancellation of the German/United States
MBT-70 tank, Germany went on to develop the Leopard 2 MBT from 1970, with
the first prototypes armed with 105mm and 120mm guns. The 120mm version of
the leopard 2 was selected in 1977, with production undertaken by KMW and
MaK, and first production vehicles completed in 1979. Since then, over
3,000 have been ordered and production was started again in 1994 for
Sweden. After delivery of the last eight batch vehicle, there were 2.125
Leopard 2 A4 in service with the Bundeswehr. The Leopard 2s main armament
includes a Rheinmetall 120 mm smooth bore main gun and a 7.62 mm MG-3 air
defense machine gun.
Improvement included in the A4 version over the leopard include a ew
fire control system was fitted with a digital core to facilitate the use
of new ammunition, and to improve the crew's survivability a fire,
explosion suppression system developed by Deugra was installed , new Diehl
570FT tracks and Smoke Mortar Launchers. A further Upgrade of the Leopard
2 concluded in the Leopard 2 A5 (Improved Leopard) which has a number of
improvements including increased armor protection for the crew and
improved command and control system capabilities. 225 Leopard A4s are to
upgraded to A5 standard.
- Leopard 2 A6 EX
The
German Army is upgrading 225 2A5 tanks to 2A6 configuration, The first of
a contracted number of 225 Leopard 2 A6 main battle tanks (first batch) is
to handed over to the Army at a roll-out ceremony at Krauss-Maffei
Wegmann in Munich on 7 March 2001. The new 120 mm L55 main armament and
the new upgraded ammunition LKE 2 DM 53 developed in parallel by
Rheinmetall will further enhance the enormous fire power of the Leopard 2.
The Leopard 2 A6 lethality effectiveness is especially due to the
Rheinmetall W & M developed smoothbore gun system. Based on the
military requirement for firepower enhancement. A 130 cm increase in
barrel length plus other modifications resulted in a higher projectile
velocity and increased KE-performance. The 120 mm L55 weapon is compatible
with the current MBT-types in service throughout NATO, as they can easily
be retrofitted. Other Improvements include an auxiliary
engine, improved mine protection and an air-conditioning system.
- Jaguar 2 Tank Destroyer
The Jaguar 2 was developed from the Jaguar 1 as a dedicated
Anti-Tank vehicle. A total of 162 were converted to Jaguar 2 standard
during 1983-85. Armed with a anti-tank guided weapon (ATGW) launchers. The
Jaguar 2 is mainly armed with the TOW anti-tank missile and the TOW 2
missile. Also equipped with a AN/TAS-4 night vision system for night
anti-tank operations.
- Luchs Reconnaissance Vehicle
The Spahpanzer Luchs (8x8) amphibious reconnaissance vehicle
was developed by Daimler Benz with Thyssen Henschel, building a total of
408 vehicles for the German Army between 1975 and 1978. An unusual feature
of the Luchs is that it has two drivers, one at the front and one at the
rear, and can be driven at speeds of up to 90km/h in either
direction.
The two man power operated turret is armed with the same 20mm
Rheinmetall cannon as is fitted to the Marder 1 infantry combat vehicle
used by the German army, with a 7.62mm machine gun mounted on the roof.
The 20 mm cannon is not stabilised. More recently, thermal night vision
equipment has been fitted to the turret, this resulted in the Luchs A2.
Standard equipemt includes an NBC protection system, a preheater, power
steering on all eight wheels and run flat tyres.
- Fennek Reconnaissance Vehicle
The Fennek Armed Reconnaissance Vehicle, produced by Krauss-Maffei
Wegmann (KMW) of Kassel, Germany and SP Aerospace and Vehicle Systems B.V.
of The Netherlands has been developed for the Dutch and German
Armies. The prototype vehicle completed field trials in April 2000. In
December 2001, a contract was signed for the combined procurement of 612.
178 reconnaissance and 24 combat engineer versions for the German Army.
Deliveries are scheduled between 2003 and 2007. The vehicles will replace
the Luchs ARVs in the German Army.
The Fennek is a light armoured 4WD reconnaissance vehicle, operated by
a three-man crew and deployed in units of two vehicles. A scout party
equipped with this vehicle is able to operate independently for a period
of up to five days.The German vehicles will be armed with a 40mm automatic
grenade launcher.
- Marder 1 A3 IFV
The Marder 1 infantry combat vehicle was developed for the
German Army from the late 1950s, with production being undertaken from
1970 to 1975 by the now Thyssen Henschel and MaK companies. Since it first
entered service, it has been constantly upgraded, with the latest version
known as the Marder 1A3, and featuring additional hull and turret armour,
as well as rearranged roof hatches, upgraded suspension, a new heating
system and revised stowage.
The two man power operated turret is armed with the same 20mm
Rheinmetall canon as is fitted to the Luchs vehicles used by the German
Army, with a 7.62mm machine gun being mounted co-axially. The 20mm cannon
is not stabilised. Some vehicles have a Milan anti-tank system mounted on
the turret. The Marder 1 is not amphibious , although with preparations it
can ford to a depth of 2m. Standard equipment includes a NBS system, a
crew compartment heater and passive night vision equipment.
- Fuchs Transportpanzer 1 (TPz 1) APC
The Henschel Defense Systems Transportpanzer 1 (Fuchs) was
originally developed in the 1960s to meet German Army requirements. Some
996 vehicles were produced between 1979 and 1986. The basic vehicle is
fully amphibious with two propellers mounted on either side at the rear.
Standard equipment includes an NBC protection system and passive night
vision equipment.
An upgraded version of the Fuchs has been fielded for use in the former
Yugoslavia with a higher level of armour protection and protection for the
7.62mm machine gun mounted over the forward part of the roof. Depending on
the vehicle version, it is possible to transport 10 additional men and the
2-man-crew.
- M113G
The first M113 was delivered to the German Army in 1962 with
some 8,000 examples delivered. Today some 3,300 M113s remain in different
versions. M113s who were built in Germany to meet the specific demands of
the German Army ( eg. weapons,tracks,radio,..) became known as the M113G
(Germany). In 1974 a diesel engine was placed in the M113G with some small
other modifications and became the M113 A1 G.
Later on the M113 became the basis for the Lance rocket system and M548
Skorpion Mine layer. Future Modifications on the M113G resulted in the
M113 G2 and M113 G3 who's aim was to extend their operational lives well
into the 21st Century with new engines and fuel tanks.
- Dingo APC
The Dingo APCV offers its occupants a high level of
protection against terrorist attacks and mines. In addition to high
all-round protection against all types of hand-held weapons, a special
mine de-flector system provides a degree of crew protection against
anti-personnel and anti-tank mines so far unparalleled in this class of
vehicles. The German Army DINGO´s armament is a 7.62 mm machine gun.
Furthermore, the vehicle is equipped with an NBC protection system, an air
conditioning system, auxiliary heating, ABS, a reversing camera, GPS
navigation as well as a modern radio and an infantry tank telephone
system. The DINGO has already been deployed with the German peacekeeping
units for patrol and transport tasks in Kosovo, Macedonia since December
2000 and most recently in Afghanistan and has been extraordinarily
successful.
Krauss-Maffei Wegmann has now delivered the first batch of 56 Dingo 1
All Protect Vehicles (APVs) to the German Army and these have already been
deployed. The German Army has ordered a further 91 Dingo 1 APVs in two
batches and these will be delivered from the Krauss-Maffei Wegmann Munich
production line between July 2002 and early 2003. These are based on the
Mercedes-Benz UNIMOG U1550L (4 x 4) chassis with a wheelbase of 3.25m.
- Multi-role Armoured Vehicle GTK
The governments of the UK and Germany signed a contract in
November 1999 for the collaborative development and initial production of
the family of next generation armoured utility vehicles. The programme is
known as the MRAV Multi Role Armoured Vehicle (MRAV) in the UK, the
Gepanzertes Transport-Kraftfahrzeug (GTK) in Germany. The total
requirement is expected to be more than 2000 vehicles.
At the 11th of July 2002 ARTEC - being the Industrial Consortium vested
in Munich and representing Krauss-Maffei Wegmann, Rheinmetall Landsysteme
both from Germany, Alvis from the United Kingdom and Stork from the
Netherlands - presented the first 8X8 wheeled vehicle prototype in the GTK/MRAV/PWV
Programme to the Organisation Conjoint de Coopération en matière d´Armament
“OCCAR”. The presentation of the first Prototype reflects progress
made since the start of the GTK/MRAV/PWV Programme at November 1999
(between Germany and the United Kingdom only) and since the official
entrance of The Netherlands in February 2001. The UK, Germany and the
Netherlands will each receive four prototypes and a first batch of 200
vehicles, with deliveries to begin in 2006. With the successful
integration of the first Prototype the GTK/MRAV/PWV Programme has moved
into the next Programme phase of vehicle qualification.
- Wiesel 1 MK 20/TOW
Manufactured by Rheinmetall Landsysteme, the WIESEL 1 was
first fielded by the Bundeswehr in 1990 in two versions, the TOW and the
MK 20. A total of 345 vehicles were built between 1989 and 1992. The WIESEL 1 is based on a Porsche concept. Rheinmetall Landsysteme
was general contractor for the production and delivery of both WIESEL 1
versions to the German Airborne Brigades. Fire power, mobility and
excellent means of survival characterise the WIESEL 1, as well as
airtransportability, flexibility and quick operational readiness. In
addition, it has good all-round observation and target reconnaissance
facilities and night combat ability.
The TOW version has a crew of three men and, due to its anti-tank
missile system, can hit targets accurately at distances of up to 3,750 m.
Operated by a crew of two men, the MK 20 version can hit targets at a
distance of more than 1,000 m effectively. The WIESEL 1 MK 20 and TOW were
successfully deployed in UN, IFOR, SFOR and KFOR missions. The first of
thirty WIESEL 1 MK vehicles equipped with an additional night vision
module were officially handed over to the Bundeswehr at a roll-out
ceremony on February 21, 2002. The widening mission spectrum of the
vehicle resulted in calls to re-equip the WIESEL 1 MK with an improved
night-vision and night-fighting capability.
- Wiesel 2
The WIESEL 2 concept was created and introduced
by Rheinmetall Landsysteme. The company developed the WIESEL 2 based on
their experiences with the WIESEL 1 and according to the requirement for
more room and loading capacity, due to the army‘s extended range of
missions, i.e. in rapid reaction and peacekeeping missions. The integrated
NBC system and the combined cooling and heating system in the crew
compartment provide better means of survival for vehicle and crew. The
larger interior of the WIESEL 2 enables the transport of up to seven men
in the Armoured Personnel Carrier version, whereas either 21 missiles TOW,
50 mortar grenades cal. 55 mm or ammunition boxes can be transported in
the Ammunition Carrier.
The first production Wiesel 2 application is for the STN ATLAS
Elektronik ATLAS Short-Range Air-Defence System now in production for the
German Army. The contract for the procurement of 15 (plus 5 as option)
WIESEL 2 Ambulance Vehicles has been signed in Koblenz on September 18,
2001, by the German Procurement Authorities.
- BV 206S
Following extensive trials with four vehicles, the German
Army has ordered 31 ambulance versions of the Bv 206S armoured all-terrain
vehicle. The order was placed by German company Rheinmetall Landsysteme on
behalf of the German Government. First deliveries will be made in the
first quarter of 2003. It is expected that funding permitting, the German Army will place orders
for additional quantities of more specialised versions of the vehicle. The
Bv 206S is an armoured version of the Bv 206, of which about 11,000 have
been built for the home and export markets. The Bv 206 S consists of
two armoured units connected by an articulating unit.
The front unit contains the power pack and carries four people,
including the driver and commander; the rear unit carries eight people. It
can carry up to 1,670kg of cargo and can be armed with a ring-mounted
7.62mm or 12.7mm machine gun on the roof. The Bv 206 S is fully
amphibious, propelled by its tracks. Before entering the water, a trim
vane is erected. A wide range of equipment can be fitted, including an NBC
(nuclear, biological, chemical) protection system, winch and night-vision
aids.
Artillery :
- FH-155-1 155mm
- M 109 A3 GE A1/2
The M 109 155mm self-propelled howitzer entered service with
the German Army around 1960 with some 600 examples delivered. These were
upgraded in 1965 with the main modification being the installation of a
Diesel engine and became known as the M 109G ( G standing for Germany ).
In the 1980s the German M 109Gs were upgraded to the US M 109A3 standard
which included a new 155mm gun, reorganisation of the shell loading
system, new fire control system and better radio communication. This
version became known as the M109A3G or M109A3 GE A1. Further upgrades on
the M 109 concluded in the M109 A3 GE A2 who's main purpose was a
reduction in the work load for the crew with an automatic shell loading
system and a electronic firing system.
The M 109 was supposed to be replaced by the PZH 2000, but since
initial orders were only for 185 units the M 109 will remain in service until
2015. A service life-extension project has been signed in 1997 for 262 M
109 A3 GE A2 with an option for another 262. The M 109 remains the main
artillery type in the German Army after some 40 years of service.
- PzH 2000
The PzH 2000 (Panzerhaubitze 2000) is the 155mm self
propelled howitzer developed by Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW) together with
the main sub-contractor Rheinmetall Landsysteme for the German Army. KMW
received a contract in 1996 for production of 185 units. The first system
was delivered in July 1998 and deliveries are finished in 2002. Total
German Army requirement is expected to be around 450 units.
The 155 mm L52 gun of the PzH 2000 was developed by Rheinmetall
Industrie AG. The barrel length is 52 calibres and chamber volume is 23
litres. The PzH 2000 is equipped with a full automatic shell loading
system with ammunition management system. The PzH 2000 automatic shell
loading system can handle 60 rounds of 155 mm ammunition.
- MARS Multiple Launch Rocket System
KMW was responsible for the integration of MARS (German
version of the multiple launch rocket system MLRS) as well as the
interface development and conversion to the German configuration. KMW was
also commissioned to carry out important functions aimed at establishing
logistic supportability and is responsible for the technical-logistic
support of the complete system. MARS was introduced into service with the
German Army in 1990. It was developed and adapted as an air-portable
system.
The Multiple Launch Rocket System is a high mobility automatic system
based on an M270 weapons platform. MLRS fires surface-to-surface rockets.
The MLRS launcher unit comprises an M270 Launcher loaded with 12 rockets,
packaged in two six-rocket pods. Lockheed Martin has also been awarded a
contract to develop a new extended range guided rocket GMLRS which will
have a range of approximately 60 km. The GMLRS rocket will have a GPS
(global positioning system) and inertial guidance package and small
canards on the rocket nose to enhance accuracy. The GMLRS is an
international programme involving UK, Italy, France and Germany as well as
the US the rocket is to enter service around 2004.
- Rocket launcher 110 SF 2
Air-Defense :
- Gepard 1 A1/2 Anti-Aircraft Tank
The Gepard anti-aircraft tank is manufactured by Krauss-Maffei
Wegmann (KMW), based in Munchen, Germany, and is operational with the
armed forces of Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands. The Gepard is a
heavily armoured, autonomous and mobile air defence system based on the
chassis of the Leopard main battle tank. The vehicle is fitted with a fire
control system, all-weather tracking and acquisition sensors and powerful
automatic guns. Its role within NATO is to protect key installations,
combat units and troops on the move, as well as on the battlefield.
The modernisation scheme for the Gepard includes: integration of C3
capabilities; improvement in target engagement with extended combat range,
shorter reaction time and better hit and kill probability; and improved
self protection. The Gepard is fitted with a two-man electric power
operated turret armed with twin Oerlikon KDA 35mm guns.The rate of fire
provided by the two barrels is 1,100 rounds/minute. Each 35mm gun has 320
rounds of ready-to-fire, anti-air ammunition and 20 rounds of anti-ground
target ammunition. The guns are capable of firing a range of standardised
35mm ammunition, including the new Frangible Armour Piercing Discarding
Sabot (FAPDS) rounds. KMW are developing a missile system for the Gepard,
using the Stinger surface-to-air missile system. The twin Stinger
launching system will be fitted on the side of the 35mm twin gun.
- Roland Air Defense System
The Roland short range air defence missile system is
produced by Euromissile. German Army systems are installed on Marder
tracked vehicles. The Roland system is effective against air threats from
extremely low to medium altitude. It is available as a standalone weapon
system on a single vehicle or as an airliftable shelter. The system is
capable of firing Roland 2 and Roland 3 missiles and the Roland VT1
hypervelocity missile. Roland 2 and 3 missiles have command to
line-of-sight guidance and hollow charge warhead, with both impact and
proximity fuzing.
Roland 3 has longer range, 8km to Roland 2’s 6.3km. It also has a
larger warhead, 9.2kg, to Roland 2’s 6.5kg. The VT1 has a speed of
1,250m/s and range of 11km. The Roland M3S has a dual surveillance system
and 3D radar and infrared sensors operating in parallel. The target
tracking system involves radar, infrared and CCTV operating in parallel
with instantaneous channel switching. The system has a 3D X-band
surveillance radar. The frequency-agile track-while-scan radar has a range
of 25km at a maximum altitude of 9km. The tracking radar has a range of
20km.
- Leflasys (SHORAD) Air Defense System
The LeFlaSys Light Mechanized SHORAD (Short Range Air
Defence System) has been developed for the German Army by STN ATLAS
Elektronik GmbH in and KMW. It is based on the Wiesel 2 carrier vehicle.
The LeFlaSys system is expected to fulfill the short range air defence
requirements of the rapid reaction forces of the German Army. Series
production of 50 weapon platforms, ten platoon command post vehicles and
seven AFF battery command vehicles began in 2000.
On 27 June 2001, the German Army took delivery of the first platoon of
this new short-range air defence system at an official roll-out ceremony
at the Feldwebel Schmid barracks in Rendsburg (Army Air Defence School).
SHORAD (short-range air defence system) is primarily designed to carry out
the tasks of crisis reaction forces based on the new strategic concept of
NATO, especially for the protection of air-mobile forces, their assets as
well as key systems required for the implementation of operations. The
delivery of all systems will be completed in the year 2003.The
Leflasys carries four ready-to-fire Stinger surface-to-air missiles, but
can also be armed with Igla, Mistral, RBS 70 MK2 or Starburst missiles.
Aviation (Heeresflieger) :
- BO-105 M (VBH) / P (PAH)
Sine the 1980s the mainstay of the Heeresflieger combat
fleet has been two versions of the Bo 105, the PAH-1 anti-tank helicopter
and the VBH observation helicopter. The replacement is the Tiger UHT for
which a requirement for 212 exists.
Currently 92 Bo-105M VBHs remain and 204 Bo-105P PAH-1s. The main
armament of the Bo-150 PAH-1 consists of six HOT anti-tank missiles.
- Eurocopter Tiger UHT (*212 required)
The Tiger helicopter is being developed in three
configurations, HAC (French) and UHT (German) anti-tank helicopters and a
combat support helicopter designated HAP for the French Army. Germany has
ordered 80 combat support aircraft with deliveries to begin in 2002. Total
procurement is planned to be 215 for France and 212 for Germany. Both
Tiger HAC and UHT anti-tank helicopters have an Osiris mast-mounted sight
from SFIM, with infrared charge coupled device (IRCCD) camera and laser
rangefinder. There is a nose-mounted forward looking infra-red (FLIR) with
a 40 x 30 degree field of view.
The Tiger is fitted with EADS/LFK ATA firing posts for the launch of
Euromissile HOT 3 and Euromissile TRIGAT LR anti-tank missiles, fired by
the gunner. In its combat support role the Tiger uses a gun for
short-range engagements, 68 mm rockets at medium and long range and
Mistral missiles to engage airborne threats. Each cockpit is equipped with
two multi-function colour displays supplied by Sextant Avionique and VDO
Luftfahrtgerate Werk GmbH, which display imagery from the gunner's sight,
the FLIR and video image from the Dornier/VDO digital map generator.
- CH-53G/GS Stallion (104 in service)
The German Army Aviation ( Heeresflieger ) operates around
104 CH-53G/GS Stallions. The CH-53 fleet is to remain in service untill
around 2030. These are due to go through an Life Extension Programme.
Operations in the former Yugoslavia revealed that the CH-53G was not
properly equipped for peace support and peace enforcement missions. So 20
CH-53G helicopters have undergone an upgrade to add new defensive
countermeasures, avionics improvements and long-range fuel tanks to
undertake combat search and rescue, the helicopters being redesignated
CH-53GS ( S standing for special )
The Federal Office for Defence Technology and Procurement (BWB) has
placed a multi-million Euro order with Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH for the
conversion of 38 CH-53G/GS army helicopters to upgrade them for IMC
(Instrument Meteorological Conditions) flights. Worth a total of
20.3 million Euro, the conversion programme will be completed at the end
of 2005. The investment in the Bundeswehr's medium transport helicopters
had become necessary on the one hand to meet the civil and military
certification requirements for flights under IMC conditions and on the
other to be able to fulfil the challenging operational requirements placed
on man and machine in new international mission scenarios of the NATO
alliance.
- UH-1D Huey
The fleet of Dornier-assembled UH-1Ds will be phased out in
favourof the NH-90 TTH. The German Army Aviation operates a fleet of
around 120 UH-1D Hueys. Since 1967 the German army standard transport
helicopter has been the UH-1D. Of the 204 delivered to the Army , just
over the half remains.
- NH-90 TTH
The German Army Aviation will be extensively modified mainly
through an initial batch of 80 NH-90TTHs while the final number procured
will be around 120. Some examples will be equipped for the demanding
combat search and rescue role.
The TTH version is primarily conceived for tactical transport of personnel
(14-20 troops) and material (more than 2500 kg of cargo), heliborne
operations and SAR. Additional applications include medevac, special operations, electronic
warfare, airborne command post, parachuting, VIP transport, flight
training.
- EC-135 Training Helicopter (12 in service)
The long serving Alouette III is being replaced in the
training role by the Eurocopter EC-635 ( Military designation EC-135). The
first EC-135 was commissioned into service with Heeresflieger Waffenschule
( Helicopter Flying Training school ) at Buckeburg on September 13, 2000.
Fifteen are on order, but if the decision is made to concentrate German
helicopter training at the site, further examples may be purchased.
The Alouette will fly alongside the newer type untill the EC-135
simulator is up and running at Bluckeburg. The helicopter is powered by two engines, a digital cockpit, autopilot and a flight management system.
UAV :
- Brevel UAV
Brevel is an unmanned aerial vehicle for reconnaissance and
target location.. Complete Brevel systems with five air vehicles were
supplied to the French and German armies in 1998 for operational trials
and evaluation. A production contract for the German Army was placed in
1998 for eight Brevel Systems, each comprising two ground stations and 10
air vehicles. The Brevel system can be ready for the air vehicle launch
within thirty minutes of the ground vehicles reaching a launch site. The
air vehicle's operating speed is 150 km per hour but can attain a maximum
level speed of approximately 220 km/hour. The flight endurance is 6 hours
and the operating range is 120 km. A Zeiss-Eltro Optronic WBG 96 x 4
forward-looking infrared (FLIR) camera is installed in the nose of the air
vehicle.
- CL289 UAV
The CL 289 Reconnaissance System is an unmanned airborne
reconnaissance vehicle for use at corps and divisional level. CL289 was
developed as a tri-national project between Canada, France and Germany. In
January 2001, Dornier GmbH was awarded a contract by NATO for the upgrade
of 140 French and German army CL289 drones. The reconnaissance payload
consists of a Zeiss-Eltro Optronic KRb 8/24D optical camera and a SAGEM
Corsaire infrared linescan system, which can be used separately or
simultaneously according to the mission requirement.
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Equipment of the German Army (Heer) :
