Rheinmetall to Convert Five FUCHS 1A8 and Four WIESEL 1

Rheinmetall has been awarded a supplementary procurement order by the Bundeswehr to supply four Route Clearance Systems over a four-year period, the company announced on 5 May.

Rheinmetall will convert five FUCHS 1A8 wheeled armoured transport vehicles into operator team vehicles and four WIESEL 1 airmobile weapons carriers into tracked detector platforms. The scope of delivery also encompasses seven reserve dual sensors with transport and storage racks, together with logistical support. The dual sensor, a key component of the Route Clearance System, is a new version purged of obsolescent elements.

Rheinmetall first supplied the Bundeswehr with seven Route Clearance Systems in 2011 as part of the Heavy Explosives and Ordnance Demolition Platoon. A complete system consists of five vehicles configured for the following tasks: detection and clearance of landmines and improvised explosive devices, command, and transport.

The remotely controlled WIESEL features a newly-developed, integrated dual sensor with ground-penetrating radar as well as a metal detector. Its task is to detect landmines and IEDs on sections of road as well as in off-road terrain. Equipped with operator consoles for controlling the vehicles and systems for evaluating the dual sensor signals, the FUCHS 1A8 serves as a mobile, highly-protected command post.

Ordered separately, the ordnance verification vehicle is tasked with remotely-controlled inspection of suspicious objects. An integrated video system allows embarked operators to monitor the situation on the ground at all times.