Rheinmetall’s Keiler Next Generation (NG), a highly protected mine and barrage clearing system, recently demonstrated its capabilities in a live demonstration. Around 100 internationally invited guests from the armed forces, procurement authorities and industry took part in the event at the Bergen military training area.
In a first section, the Keiler NG demonstrated the rapid formation of mine lanes in the field. The Pearson mine plow was used for this. The mine plough, which is more than four meters wide, enables a mine clearance speed of up to 250 meters per minute. The mine plough can be quickly replaced with a clearing blade, allowing the Keiler NG to clear anti-tank obstacles, fill in trenches or push positions as required. https://militaeraktuell.at/konzeptstudie-ngrc-nato-auftrag-fuer-airbus/ Nevertheless, the highlight was the second section, in which the Plofadder rocket-assisted detonation cord system was deployed. The system from Rheinmetall Denel Munition can cut a breach 160 meters long and nine meters wide in mine barriers and obstacles in a matter of minutes. When fired overlapping, the two Plofadder systems of the Keiler NG make it possible to overcome deep enemy mine barriers. In addition to the mine plow and the plofadder detonation cord system, the Keiler NG is also equipped with a magnetic field duplicator that detonates second-generation mines well before the plow. Another advantage is the integrated lane marking system, which marks the created lanes for the following forces even in restricted visibility or at night. The integrated crane is used to make the vehicle ready for clearance and to load and unload the Plofadder ammunition boxes.
For self-protection, the Keiler NG carries the Rosy rapid fog protection system and the Natter 12.7 remote-controlled weapon station. The crew consists of two soldiers. The possibility of remote-controlled deployment has already been taken into account in the system concept, as has the fitting of a stand-off protection system and networking on the digitalized battlefield. The Keiler NG, presented for the first time at Eurosatory 2024is based on the chassis of the Kodiak armored engineer vehicle and is therefore part of the Leopard 2 family. On the one hand, this contributes to the high agility of this 63-tonne platform – 65 km/h top speed, 90 centimetres climbing capability, 60 percent gradeability and trench crossing capability of more than 2.50 meters. On the other hand, being part of the Leopard family has a positive effect on interoperability, logistics and training. For example, existing Kodiak armored engineer vehicles can be converted into a Keiler NG-like configuration using equipment kits.
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