Flexible, More Stable and With Improved Maintenance

Global Clearance Solutions (GCS) is showing the new GCS-200 manipulator vehicle, a system that could soon gain the German Army as a user. To date, Bundeswehr military engineers have seven MineWolf MW-240s in service, all of which are currently being overhauled. In addition, there is an interest in expanding these capabilities. The most promising candidate at present is the GCS-200 system, of which the service intends to procure four systems, each of four containers. In addition to the carrier vehicle and manipulator arm, procurement would include add-on options, such as tillers, beaters and other attachments.

Compared to the MW-240, the GCS-200 has above all a longer and thus more stable undercarriage, which – bolted, not welded – which simplifies maintenance. A standardised agricultural interface has been integrated. Overall, the vehicle has a lower and better centre of gravity and thus better mobility, particularly on edges and heights. System operability has been simplified, and the  manipulator arm is also new and lighter, eliminating previous top-heaviness. Thanks to an additional hinge, it is also even more flexible and precise. A scraper blade has also been integrated to fill in holes in a work train immediately. Another new feature is the camera system. With the GCS-200, sappers can remotely inspect suspicious spots for IEDs and work on them if necessary.

Andre Forkert reporting from Paris for MON