Germany’s Liebherr-Werk Ehingen GmbH and Rheinmetall showcase the Bundeswehr’s new G-LTM 1090-4.2 protected mobile crane for the first time
The new crane vehicle incorporates, and is enabled, through a number of different innovative technologies including: a 330-kW (449HP) Liebherr six-cylinder, diesel-powered engine, allowing for a maximum torque of 2,335 Nm and a maximum speed of 85 km/h; a 35.7-m long telescopic boom for lifting loads up to 36.6 tonnes; a driver cab for protecting the crew from the effects of small arms fire and both mines and roadside bombs; a crane cab protecting the operator from ballistic fire during crane operations; and an NBC ventilation system. Like the G-BKF protected recovery crane debuted in Paris in 2016, the G-LTM will form part of the service’s new generation of crane vehicles, with Rheinmetall supplying the protected driver’s cabs and crane cabs for a total of 38 G-LTMs. In addition, the manufacturer outfitted 33 G-BKFs with identical crane and driver’s cabs. Delivery will be complete in 2021, both Liebherr and Rheinmetall say. This procurement project exemplifies the excellent collaboration between the defence industry and the Federal Office for Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-service Support (BAAINBw). Rheinmetall says, the development cycle was very short: the programme was initiated in 2013; a demonstrator version was up and running by 2015; and full-scale production commenced in 2018.
Stefan Nitschke