FFG With New Recovery Module at DSEi 2019
FFG Flensburger Fahrzeugbau Gesellschaft mbH, based in Flensburg, Germany, will present for the very first time a new mission module for the BOXER at DSEi in London next month. With FFG’s Armoured Recovery Module, the possibilities of using the BOXER fleet are now decisively expanded. Whereas various mission modules already exist to configure the BOXER as ambulance, battle damage repair, cargo, command post, engineer group, infantry fighting or troop carrier vehicle, a potent recovery module was missing. FFG, a proven expert in the development of military engineer vehicles, identified this capability gap in the BOXER fleet and developed an innovative recovery module since October 2017.
The module is armoured and weighs approximately 13 tonnes. It provides space for two crew members, commander and gunner. The driver’s seat remains in the driving module, with direct access to the recovery module. General on-board equipment (e.g. CBRN protection system; HVAC and more) are, wherever possible, integrated with existing BOXER components to ensure maximum logistic commonality with the other mission modules. The pivoting crane boom is 5.3m long and can lift up to 20 tonnes; it is positioned at the rear of the recovery module. A modern capstan winch with a pulling force of 20 tonnes for recovery and self-recovery by means of a 60-m Kevlar rope completes the main recovery tools. The recovery module features comprehensive additional capabilities, including cutting and welding equipment, pneumatic power tools and more. For self-defence, the vehicle can be equipped with a remote-controlled weapon station (RCWS).
To ensure safe recovery and lifting operations, the module deploys its own stabilising support legs and a rear anchor. Hydraulically expendable stabilisers secure the module during crane and winch operations and relieve the driving module of the associated stress at the same time. The recovery module is connected to the driving module through standard BOXER mechanical interfaces, only requiring on-board electricity to charge its own battery suite that supplies the recovery module with power and drives the hydraulic system. Due to this semi-autonomous electro-hydraulic design, the recovery module can be put into operation (including heavy recovery tasks), even when the chassis’ main engine is switched off during silent watch operations. It may temporarily run completely independent from the drive platform.
Control and monitoring of all systems are conducted centrally via touchscreen displays and proprietary FFG software. In emergency mode, the hydraulics can be operated via manual control. With FFG’s recovery module, BOXER user nations can effectively close a major capability gap within fleets, since it enables the vehicle to carry out all those maintenance and recovery tasks, which to date require heavy tracked recovery vehicles or specialist civilian vehicles.
Interested visitors are invited to view the Recovery Module for the BOXER on Stand S7-125 and to receive comprehensive information on all products and services provided by Flensburg vehicle manufacturers. Source: FFG
