September 2006   More mobile, more effective, better protected Equipment for light infantry In today's rapidly transforming armed forces, the infantryman continues to play a central role in new operational scenarios. His mission spectrum is extremely complex, calling for capabilities enabling high-mobility operations in difficult, unfamiliar terrain, even when dismounted. Increasingly often, the infantryman has to operate in urban areas and under extreme climatic conditions. He has to contend with new asymmetric threats, and frequently faces attacks from irregular forces. Moreover: infantry in modern airmobile and other special operations have to be able to carry out a multiplicity of highly diverse missions. This doesn't just require new force structures; it requires modern equipment specifically tailored to the task. Advanced technologies can make a major contribution to improving the survivability, C4I capabilities, sustainability, mobility and lethality of modern military operations. Our aim is a well-protected soldier, equipped with robust weapons, a clear view of the tactical situation and reliable means of communication. The important thing: providing the troops with an open infantry system based on modular combat equipment and delivering enhanced performance and reduced weight. And it isn't just with regard to weight that we need to avoid overburdening the soldier: equipment should be easy to use even under tough field conditions. A modular design ensures operational flexibility and the ability to adapt to new situations and mission requirements. Moreover, modular equipment can be used in multiple ways–including by other branches of the military. Meeting the infantry's need for high mobility requires an armed, airportable vehicle. An essential component of the total system: it can be armoured to improve the survivability of its occupants, and equipped with additional weapons for enhanced lethality.       The air-transportable, lightweight armoured vehicle Wiesel 1 and Wiesel 2 As a means of transport, it increases operational sustainability, enabling troops to carry more equipment while ensuring communications with the next higher echelon as well as a network centric warfare capability. Naturally, diverse missions and a high degree of specialization call for the deployment of various vehicle systems.     Rheinmetall Defence: Cutting edge technology for light infantry operations Building on a long, proud tradition of innovative competence, Rheinmetall Defence is Europe's leading supplier of systems for ground forces, offering a wide array of armoured vehicles, weapons, ammunition, reconnaissance technology and network-enabled capabilities, including Communications systems Armoured transport vehicles Command vehicles Reconnaissance vehicles Combat vehicles Robotic systems Sensors and optics Weapon systems Ammunition Pyrotechnic products Training systems all meticulously designed to meet the special requirements of light infantry forces. In addition, Rheinmetall Defence offers a wide range of training resources and instruction systems: the spectrum extends from a company-owned major training area to sophisticated training simulators. Responding to the increasing prevalence of military operations in urban terrain (Mout), Rheinmetall has developed a mobile training system to teach troops the skills they need in order to fight in towns and cities. Enabling highly realistic training, this system also offers the possibility of in-depth evaluation of exercises and after action briefings.       Future Soldier Systems Around the globe, Rheinmetall Defence is participating in a number of international projects and programmes aimed at equipping the soldier of the future–in Canada, for example, and France's FELIN programme. In Germany, Rheinmetall Defence has been appointed as general contractor of the country's enhanced Future Soldier project.       Communication and soldier systems Apart from the need to improve communication within the infantry section and provide better knowledge of the tactical situation, warfare in an age of network-enabled capabilities requires that infantrymen be included in existing and future reconnaissance, command and joint fires networks. Rheinmetall Defence's Interconnected Command Control Communications Computer Unit (IC4U) enables the necessary real-time exchange of data between individual infantrymen, the section vehicle and corresponding networks.       The IC4U is a modular and open-architecture system. It is easily adaptable to the mission requirements. This fully digitized modular system supports voice, data and video transmission. Moreover, in connection with a GPS-integrated situation display, it permits higher echelons of command to monitor the real-time situation on the ground. The open architecture is based on standard off-the-shelf sensors. Communication runs over the Ethernet or a TCP/IP protocol suite. IC4U can be easily integrated into a helmet, flak jacket or other equipment, and is combinable with physiological sensors. A lightweight design and intelligent energy management enable extended operation.       Recce Portable Suite is an innovative reconnaissance planning and reporting application for route, zone, and area recce missions.       Light infantry vehicles Rheinmetall Defence is developing the GTK Boxer armoured transport vehicle under a bilateral project. Its pioneering design provides an infantry section with a high degree of protection from antitank mines and medium-calibre ammunition. Highly mobile, this airportable 8x8 vehicle can transport a heavy payload. Moreover, its modular design lends itself to numerous mission-specific configurations: the GTK Boxer can serve as a mobile medical station, a command post or battlefield repair facility; it can also be used in a combat engineering role, as a communications centre or to carry supplies.       The new armoured transport vehicle GTK Boxer The Fuchs/Fox2 armoured transport vehicle is oriented to the new mission spectrum of the armed forces. Airportable and amphibious, the Fuchs/Fox2 displays above-average mobility even in difficult terrain. Various mission-specific configurations are available, including an NBC reconnaissance version, a scout vehicle, a transport vehicle, a special EOD version and a mortar platform. For self-defence, the vehicle can be equipped with a smoke/obscurant dispenser and a light machinegun. When it comes to operations in tough terrain and harsh climate zones, the BV206S is the perfect answer. A match for the most stringent mobility requirements, this airportable tracked armoured vehicle provides mountain and airmobile units with excellent support. It can swim and offers full NBC protection. The BV206S family of vehicles includes command post and aid station versions, as well as assuring the rapid evacuation of wounded personnel.       The air-transportable and highly mobile BV206S Specially developed to meet the needs of special operations forces of the Bundeswehr and the armed forces of friendly nations, the Serval reconnaissance and combat vehicle combines extreme mobility, lethality and reliability. Airportable and lightly armoured, this all-terrain vehicle is ready to fight as soon as it hits the ground; modular in design, it can be upgraded for greater protection and firepower. The Serval has been in service with the Bundeswehr since 2002. Weighing five tons, the Gavial command and multipurpose vehicle protects its four-man crew from small arms fire, landmines and NBC threats. The 4x4 wheeled vehicle can be used in a multiplicity of different missions, and transported to the area of operations by helicopter as internal or external cargo. Highly mobile, Rheinmetall Defence's Caracal command and transport vehicle meets multiple tactical requirements, making a valuable contribution to force protection. Occupying the 6-8 ton category, this all-terrain vehicle can carry up to five persons and is suitable for reconnaissance, command, transport and patrol operations. The Caracal can also serve as a highly versatile weapons platform.       The command and transport vehicle Caracal meets multiple tactical requirements. The Wiesel is a lightweight armoured vehicle offering excellent off-road performance, available in a variety of mission-specific configurations. Its combination of airportability and robust protection, coupled with rapid availability on the battlefield, makes it especially well suited to airmobile and crisis reaction missions. The multifaceted Wiesel 1 and Wiesel 2 are complementary vehicle systems capable of carrying out many different missions. Apart from reconnaissance and command configurations, medevac, ammunition transport and weapons platform versions are available, up to an airborne mortar combat system.     Sensors and optics The LLM01 laser light module is an active aiming device for day and night operations. Easily mounted on practically any rifle or pistol, it enables exact target acquisition and marking by means of various light sources. Equipped with night vision goggles, soldiers can use infrared near-field illumination to illuminate targets. The infrared laser target pointer is able to mark targets even at long ranges. The red light laser target pointer makes it easier to engage targets without aiming, for example when firing from the hip. The system is already in service in a number of countries.       LLM 01 – the active aiming device for day and night operations The AIM HuntIR is a lightweight reconnaissance and aiming device based on thermal imaging (FLIR). The thermal imaging device features a powerful third generation 384 x288 CMT module capable of detecting armoured targets at a distance of 1,500 m. Its low weight means that it can be used as an aiming device for small arms. As soon as the device is switched on, a fully automatic focusing, contrast and sharpness adjustment process instantly generates a clear target image–even under extreme weather conditions–enabling the soldier to concentrate on engaging the target. HuntIR is the only aiming device in this range spectrum whose small dimensions prevent it from interfering with reloading and ammunition belt changing procedures. The latest display technology enables additional weapon-specific data to be shown. Plans exist to equip the HuntIR with a laser rangefinder and a data link for transmitting data to other members of the infantry section. The AIM HuntIR forms part of the Bundeswehr inventory. Particularly in rapidly shifting, confusing combat situations, there is always the risk of friendly fire incidents occurring. The best way of avoiding this is an efficient identification system. Rheinmetall Defence's friend/foe identification system, consisting of an ID laser query unit and an RF responder, enables encoded querying of persons and platforms; the radio-transmitted response comes in the form of an optical or acoustic signature, enabling immediate, carefully calculated action to be taken. The Bundeswehr is currently testing this STANAG4630-compliant system.       SLS enables reliable detection of snipers. Lying in ambush, enemy fighters equipped with long-range sniper rifles, antitank weapons or antiaircraft missiles pose a grave threat. Handy, simple and safe to use, the Sniper Locating System (SLS) actively probes the surrounding area with an invisible laser beam, detecting the graticule plate of sniper scopes or fire control optics before a shot is ever fired, even at long ranges. The handheld version is already in service in a number of countries, where it is also used by law enforcement agencies. Autonomous solutions are currently under development that will enable stationary and vehicle-mounted operation.     Weapon systems and ammunition The EuroSpike family is the world's most advanced antitank/multipurpose missile system, a lightweight weapon that enables infantrymen to engage armoured targets, bunkers, mortar and artillery positions, command posts and helicopters. The infantry version features two types of missiles. The guidance procedure for the medium-range Spike MR, designed for engaging targets in the 200-2,550-metre range, is based on the fire-and-forget principle; the long-range Spike LR, which has a lethal radius of up to 4,000 metres, is additionally equipped with an optical waveguide link between the firer and the missile (fire-and update). Throughout the missile's entire flight, the sensor head transmits a steady stream of images to the firer, who can intervene to correct its trajectory. The missile's flight path describes an arc, meaning that targets are engaged from above. The transmission of sensor head imagery enables point-of-aim correction or selection of a new target; it also generates information about the target's surroundings, thus reducing the risk of collateral damage–an important advantage in urban combat. The system operates passively, making it very difficult to detect.       EuroSpike – the world's most advanced antitank missile system Automatic and manually operated 40 mm grenade launchers are typical infantry support weapons. Specifically developed to meet the needs of the infantry, Rheinmetall Defence's DM12 40 mm dual-purpose cartridge is a shaped charge projectile with high lateral fragmentation, designed for engaging lightly armoured and soft targets. Accurate even at long ranges, it produces a high degree of lethality. It can be fired from a variety of grenade launchers; the zone of fragmentation produced poses no threat to the firer. Apart from service and practice rounds, the Rheinmetall Defence range of 40 mm x 46 and 40 mm x 53 ammunition features a variety of special cartridges, including illumination and signal ammunition, coloured smoke, smoke-obscurant and impulse rounds as well as flash-bang and tear gas cartridges. Used to provide short-term protection or to disorient and surprise–especially in urban settings–pyrotechnic weapons are now standard infantry equipment. Rheinmetall Defence offers a comprehensive portfolio of pyrotechnic items, ranging from the fast-acting bi-spectral Spirco smoke/obscurant grenade to flares, signalling devices and coloured smoke grenades, as well as riot-control products and flash-bang grenades for SWAT teams.     Robotics Robots can serve as an intelligent substitute for personnel in high-risk or highly fatiguing operations. Unmanned systems create a standoff capability that significantly improves the protection and chances of survival of infantry deployed in harm's way, as well as widening their operational scope. In this high-tech domain too, Rheinmetall Defence offers tried-and-tested solutions, including the telerob family of EOD robots for detecting and neutralizing improvised explosive devices (IEDs).       The teodor EOD robot for neutralizing improvised explosive devices (IEDs) Other high-tech projects are still in development, for example the radio-controlled Foxbot, a highly compact, semiautonomous robot designed to provide optical and acoustic support during reconnaissance missions.       Foxbot – the highly compact, semiautonomous robot for reconnaissance missions       Simulation and training With the number of infantry operations in town and cities on the rise, Rheinmetall Defence has responded by developing a mobile Mout training system. Based on the same principle as our well-known Combat Train Centre (CTC), it enables highly detailed monitoring and evaluation of exercises. It consists of laser simulators for replicating weapons fire and radio transmitter/receivers for every exercise participant, as well as additional simulator and video equipment. These permit a continuous stream of data, in which every sequence and movement is transmitted to the exercise control room, and the position and movement of participants in the exercise is displayed on a digital map.       Mout – realistic training of perilous missions All data, including radio traffic and the simulated effects of heavier weapons, are digitally recorded and made available for detailed post-exercise evaluation and after action briefings.		Contact Rheinmetall AG Corporate Sector Defence Press and Information Oliver Hoffmann Rheinmetall Platz 1 40476 Düsseldorf Germany Phone: +49 211 473-4748 Fax: +49 211 473-4157