Krauss-Maffei/RUAG/Rheinmetall AEV-3 Kodiak

     Notes: Development of the AEV-3 Kodiak (not to be confused with the LAV III Kodiak) began in 2002.  At that time, the Swizerland and Sweden were unsatisfied with their PIPz-2s, and instead of going the Czech route of modifying their PIPz-2s, they petitioned Germany to solicit a new vehicle to replace their PIPz-2s altogether. Other names that the AEV-3 Pionierpanzer 3 (Germany), AEBV in the Netherlands (Armored Engineering and Breaching Vehicle), in Swiss the Panzer 87 Geniepanzer, and Ingenjorbandvagn 120 (Sweden). The AEV 3 is also used by Denmark, and Spain, and (much later) Singapore. (known locally as the L-2AEV, in 2013)  In 2003, additional countries were sought to round out the consortium; initially, all the countries above would leave the consortium except Germany and Switzerland, though they were interested in the finished product.  The first customers were Switzerland; shortly afterwards, the Danish and Dutch bought theirs.  The Swedish and Dutch bought their in a joint purchase in 2011 (The Swedes had been doing this since 2001 to reduce costs by buying in greater lots.) Other countries using the Leopard 2 normally made theirs from knock-down kits from Germany, Those who didn’t bought them whole from Germany and Switzerland.  The Kodiak is generally made from surplus Leopard 2A4 hulls, but new-build Kodiaks are available upon request. Potential future buyers (or those who seem very interested) include Austria, Chile, Germany (despite having designed the vehicle, they have yet to adopt it). Greece, Indonesia, Poland, Portugal and Turkey.  All of these potential buyers operate older Leopard 2s and have older AEVs or no AEVs.

AEV 3

     Though the primary job of the Kodiak is it’s engineer vehicle duties, it can double as a partial recovery vehicle, pulling out vehicles with its winch or towing them out, and towing them to a rear area.  The primary use of the Kodiak, however, is to breach minefields, reducing ore erecting obstacles, covering or digging trenches and large fighting positions, and removing obstacles to friendly lines of march. Conversely, the Kodiak may be used to deny road access to general terrain to the enemy.

     The AEV 3 is a heavy vehicle which falls into the MLC 70 class for traversing bridges or man-laid military bridges.  The chassis is slightly longer than its Leopard 2 base chassis, having seven roadwheels instead of six. Track tensioning may be set at the idler wheel up front, like a Leopard 2, and can also be equipped tread extensions to allow functioning in deep snow, mud, or swamps. The armor is similar to that of a Leopard 2A4, but the turret is removed, replaced with a large pivot point for its jib arm. Inside the superstructure and interior of the vehicle, the space is split in two, with the right side containing the mechanism for the arm, and the right for the crew.  The rear of the vehicle is also accessible to the crew, and normally contains the radios and Vehicle State computers.

     The blade does not have any sort of stabilizing blade or legs; instead, the bucket and arm tools and winch is stabilized by two large ski-like bars, which may rotate 180 degrees to the front or sides, and are made of heavy high-strength steel.  The bars themselves may be used for digging in sand, soil, or mud. The Kodiak also may have up to five sets of ripping teeth (if the vehicle is using a V-shaped plow.  The bars, however, are primarily used as a lane-marking device. (The same plow assembly is used on the US Army’s experimental M1150 ABV and the British Trojan AVRE.) The AEV may also mark routes by use of lane-marking flags which are deployed from either corner of the vehicle; these have 80 flags per magazine and are also equipped with LED lights on top for use at night. A Pearson mine plow is generally mounted; this is 4.2 meters across and 1.95 meters high, and requires considerable (2 hours) of time to retrofit. This plow may be kept in V-shape, or retracted to a straight plow.

     The digging bucket of the AEV 3 is almost a small blade.  It can dig up to 5.3 tons of soils per swipe, and can also be fitted with a ripping blade set. And it ca0n also be used as a hammer to drive 4 newtons per hammering action.  The digging bucket can also be used to smash rocks and concrete of up to 10 AV,and dig medium and large fighting positions. The tool on the arm may also be replaced with a true earth pneumatic hammer, which can drive with a strength of 490 newtons per hammering action, and drives a hole 100 millimeters wide.  The tool on the atm may also be equipped with a universal grabber, able to grab and lift 10 tons.  A concrete cutter is sort of a large circular saw can cut a channel 500 millimeters wide and 800 millimeters deep, against a concrete strength of 15 AV.  Rocks, large stones, and tank traps can also be similarly cut.  A large hook with 30 meters of heavy-gauge chain can also be used to move items or as an ad hoc recovery device; is can lift 26 tons. The arm may also be fitted with a dedicated concrete and rock crusher, able to smash up to 25 AV of concrete or hard rock.  Finally, the arm may be used to carry and emplace or remove a fascine roll or double concertina roll.

     The AEV 3 is equipped with two capstan-type Rotzer winches which can pull 9 tons each, and can work together, to the point that they may be combined into one cable and used with block and tackle, together or separately. Each is 200 meters of 25-millimeter cable.

     The front of the AEV 3 is equipped with an electronic explosive detection and disruption device The disruption ability extends 20 meters around the front of the vehicle, and stops enemy signals from cell phones, remote detonators, delay detonators, and mines, and even extends to the firing chain of RPG-type weapons and ATGM. The AEV 3 may tow a large trailer specifically designed for Leopard 2-series vehicles, and able to carry up to 5 tons, including a Leopard 2 powerpack. The AEV 3 itself uses an MTU MB 873 Ka501 turbocharged diesel. with enhanced torque.  In addition, the AEV 3 has a 24 kW APU, which is fully contained under armor at the left rear corner, exposing only a small cooling grate and an exhaust pipe.  This APU runs off the Kodiak’s fuel. 

     The AEV 3 has a crew of three: commander, who also operates the RWS, the driver, and the arm operator.  The driver operates the plow and its associated equipment. As said above, the interior of the superstructure is split in half; half contains the arm mechanism and base, and some of the smaller tools which may be swapped out.  The left side has the arm operator, and most BMS, GPS, and mapping module.  The crane operator operates the crane using four LLTV cameras on the corners of the superstructure.  The commander often spots for the crane operator or the driver/plow operator, using the cameras on the RWS.  There is also an LLTV in front at the top of the glacis, used by the driver to assist in using the plow and associated mechanisms, and a sixth camera on the center rear, used to supervise towing or trailer operations, or simply as a backup camera. .  If necessary, blocks of C4, lengths of primercord,, an engineer demo chest, and four smaller engineer demo kits are available for reducing or creating obstacles. The crew can perform all operations of the AEV 3 except those requiring the emplacement of explosives from inside the vehicle under NBC Overpressure protection.  The AEV 3 also has an air conditioner with NBC filters.  Through the normal crew is three, the AEV may also operate efficiently with a crew of two, with the commander operating as arm operator, The crew have 4-point seat belts and the chairs are shock-absorbing. The AEV 3 is armed with an RWS on the top right of the superstructure; this is normally armed with an M2HB, but a 40mm grenade launcher may be mounted instead. The RWS is normally operated manually, but can be set to automatically deal with threats.  The interior of the AEV 3 is considered by most military experts as being rather spacious compared to most fighting vehicles.

     Though the AEV 3 is primarily meant to be used in a combat role, it has been used in Europe for civilian relief operations in the recent flooding in 2020.

Swedish AEV 3(S)

     Swedish AEV 3(S)s are built on a Strv 122 (Swedish Leopard 2A6) base and have somewhat better armor protection and an engine with more torque.  They all have high-efficiency crew compartment heaters. Swedish AEV 3(S)s use clusters of five instead of four smoke grenade launchers. The AEV 3(S) has a reduced IR Signature (IR Suppression).

Dutch AEV 3

      Dutch AEV 3s are 95% identical to Swedish AEV 3s; however, Dutch AEVs, however, are based on Leopard 2A5s and have slightly less hull armor protection, though they have increased overhead armor, clusters of only four smoke grenade launchers, and three sets of excavating tools.  Interestingly, Dutch Kodiaks were until recently declared unlawful for driving on civil roads in the Netherlands, because in one case shortly after their adoption, a control cable snapped and the Kodiak damaged a highway bridge support.

*The plow of the Kodiak may give a frontal AV of 12Sp; what it protects depends on how high the blade is lifted.

**The Standard AEV 3 and the AEV 3(S) have a roof AV of 8Sp and a Floor AV of 12Sp.

***Dutch AEV 3s have a roof AV of 10Sp.  Floor AV remains 12Sp.

Rheinmetall BRP-1 Biber

     Notes:  This German AVLB is based on the hull of a Leopard 1 tank, topped with a bridge and the equipment to deploy it.  The RFD was issued in 1965, and first issue was 1968. 105 were built, but it is getting long in the tooth, and may be replaced in the near future by the PBS-2. Most of these vehicles are used by Germany, but small numbers are used by Australia, Canada, Denmark, and the Netherlands.  Some 64 were also were also built by Italy, where they were license-produced.  Unusually, in NATO operations, spare bridges for Danish Bibers are to be carried and delivered by Dutch Army personnel on IVECO Magirus MP-260E37W heavy trucks.

     The bridge can span a gap of 22 meters and has a capacity of 50 tons or 60 tons if the vehicles move across the bridge with care (one-quarter speed); it is made of aluminum.  It may be deployed or recovered from either end, requiring 3 minutes to deploy and 7 minutes to recover.  It deploys cantilever (slide-out) style instead of the scissors fashion of most AVLBs; the bridge is stacked in two sections, and two sections slide out from each other. The crew can lay the bridge with the crew under armor with hatches closed. The advantage of the cantilever design is that its deployment cannot be seen over a long distance; the disadvantage is that it is mechanically more complex and takes longer to recover. By itself, the bridge weighs 9.94 tons.  The dozer blade on the front of the Biber is deployed before emplacing or recovering the bridge; this can also be used to prepare the bridging site, though this is normally done by other vehicles. 

     The Biber is not issued with a weapon mount, but many crews have retrofitted their vehicles with bipod or tripod-mounted MG3s. In most cases, the weapons may not be taken above the hull while the bridge is mounted. (This weapon is not included in the stats below.) The crew has an NBC Overpressure system with a vehicular NBC system backup. The driver is in the normal Leopard position at front right of the hull and the commander/bridge operator in the center of the hull.  The ad hoc machinegun position is normally in the commander’s position.

     The hull is almost identical to that of a Leopard 1, other than the closing off of the turret mount and lack of the associated hardware, though the commander/bridgelayer does have a manually-operating cupola with all-around vision. Power is provided by an MTU MB-873 Ca-501 multifuel engine developing 830 horsepower, with an automatic transmission.  Suspension is by torsion bar and two sets of hydraulic shocks.

*The "turret" is not a turret as such; it is the carried bridge.  If the bridge is deployed, the Config is Stnd.  No crew casualties are possible on a "turret" hit; treat such results as misses.

**The front dozer blade has an AV of 4Sp.  What in the front it protects depends on how high it is raised.  It’s normal carry position is on the lower front hull.

Rheinmetall BPz-3 Büffel

     Notes:  This is a newer armored recovery vehicle based on the Leopard 2 chassis.  The Buffel was designed when the previous recovery vehicle, the BPz-2A2, proved unable to consistently recover the new generation of Leopard 2 tanks. Prototypes appeared in 1988; deliveries began in the early 1990s. The Büffel is used by Germany and the Netherlands; Sweden also had some delivered to them in late 2003.  Greece, Canada, Singapore, and Switzerland also use the Buffel, as does India. Deliveries to the German Army began in 1988. Components are the same as on some other countries' vehicles, like the winches, cranes, and dozer blade, which are also used by France on the Leclerc DNG and South Korea on their new K-1-based recovery vehicle.  Some other components are used on other ARVs and AEVs.  The Buffel, and some of it’s components, are available on the international market.

BPz-3 Buffel

     The turret is removed, and from the front to the center of the vehicle is a raised superstructure, except on the left side. 

     The Büffel has a crane on the right side of the superstructure that can traverse through 270 degrees and can lift 30 tons completely or lift 70 tons up to 20 degrees to allow mechanics to work on the underside of a vehicle.  This crane cannot be overloaded, as it will refuse to function at a higher load.  The crane is powerful enough to lift the turret or powerpack of virtually all current main battle tanks. The vehicle has a main winch with 180 meters of 33-millimeter cable and a pulling force of 35 tons, or 70 tons with block and tackle.  This winch is mounted on the front hull and does not require the use of the dozer blade, since it is designed to distribute forces over the entire vehicle. It too cannot be overloaded.  The Büffel also has an auxiliary winch with 280 meters of cable and a 650kg capacity. 

     The Büffel has two tow bars, including one for quick recoveries that is attached to the dozer blade.  The front-mounted dozer blade is primarily for the bracing of the vehicle, but can be used to dig large fighting positions.

     Towing capacity is 62 tons at full speed; greater loads may be towed, but at a reduced speed. Cutting and welding gear is carried along with a full set of tool s and a power saw.  There is, however, no APU. There is a cradle over the engine compartment to carry large assemblies such as powerpacks.. 

     The Büffel has bilge pump for deep fording operations (though it is not amphibious).  It can ford up to 4 meters, though all hatches must be closed. The hull mounts 16 smoke grenade launchers, eight on each side of the front fenders and glacis. The Buffel  is often found towing a trailer specially designed for it, carrying spare parts and more tools.  This trailer is four-wheeled, partially powered, weighs 3 tons, can carry 7.5 tons, and does not affect the Büffel's mobility. There is a multi-compartment automatic fire detection and suppression system The commander has a manually-operated cupola with all-around vision in the center top behind the driver's position;  The Buffel has an air conditioner with NBC filters and the crew is protected by an NBC Overpressure system.  The commander has a manual cupola with a light machinegun; however, the machinegun and can be aimed and fired from within the vehicle.

Slightly to the rear and the right is the crane operator has a hatch on the left rear deck in front of the engine. Primary access to the vehicle is by three large doors on the hull roof. The BPz-3 has a small computer with recovery and repair solutions.

     The Buffel is equip[ped with a BMS, Vehicle State computer, a GPS with mapping system, and data-capable radios.

     Power is provided by an MTU MB-837 Ka-501 developing 1500 horsepower, along with an automatic transmission.  This is the same powerpack as on the Leopard 2, but also have a 15kW APU. Most characteristics of the hull are the same as on the Leopard 2, including the suspension and transmission.

Swedish BPz-3s

     Swedish Bpz-3s are given increased protection though the front and side arcs, as well as on the roof and floor.  They have other technical improvements, including a Kongsberg RWS. They are equipped with four GALIX launchers which can through smoke and flare shells.  They have IRCM 1 for the vehicle, especially the engine compartment.  They have electronics similar to those of the BPz-3, as well as tools. There is a rear camera, not for the driver’s use (though he can use the camera, it more to monitor equipment on the trailer or a towed vehicle).  They have an increased crane working range (295 degrees).  The aux winch has a 1.5-ton capacity, and the Swedish version has an air conditioner with NBC filters, as well as a high-efficiency heater.

BPz-3A1

     In 2011, four German BPz-3s were modified to the BPz-3A1 for operations in Afghanistan.  They were designed to operate alongside the new Leopard 2A6M tanks used by the Canadian Army. Four Canadian BPz-3A1 were actually deployed first, in 2007, in Afghanistan; later, German BPz-3A1s were later deployed. The BPz-3A1 is now the production standard for new Buffels. India is currently looking to buy kits to upgrade their BPz-3s to BPz-3A1s.

     Modifications included an increase in armor through MEXAS appliqué, a titanium plate of spaced armor on the floor, sides with armored skirts, and increased top protection., The BPz-3A1 is usually supplemented with cage armor which covers the glacis, sides, and rear, this is covered on the sides with armor plate.

     The BPz-3A1 is equipped with a V-shaped dozer blade (a shallow V, however) which, while it is not much bigger than the BPz-3’s blade (3.8x1m), is stronger and can be used as a mine plow.  Like the BPz-3, it can have ripping teeth attach to the bottom of the blade, with characteristics as above. The BPz-3A1 also has a secondary role of digging large fighting positions and filling ditches.

     The tool set is largely the same as that of the BPz-3; however, the BPz-3A1 also carries a chainsaw, a “jaws of life,” power tools, and a circular saw. The BPz-3A1 has a 24kW APU, enough to run the power tools, and the crane or the winch while the engine is off.

     The BPz-3A1 has a radio jammer, which prevents phone, opposition radios, and items like walkie-talkies and electrical detonation systems from detonating (two levels more difficult). These jammers are optimized for civilian frequencies, including TV signals, though some intervehicular radios are also affected at higher frequencies.

     The commander's position is ringed with AV2 gun shields.  Available machinegun ammunition is increased dramatically. The driver is on the front left, with the commander to the rear and right of him.  The commander’s machinegun and gun shields are mounted on an electrically-rotating cupola.  The commander doubles as a crane operator.  A mechanic is present inside the vehicle; he does most of the mechanical work on disabled vehicles, though the driver is also a mechanic and the commander a master mechanic.

     The BPz-3A1 uses the same engine and transmission, as well as power train, and suspension, as the Leopard 2A6M.  The crew has the same amenities as the BPz-3, with the addition of a 50-liter drinking water tank and an air conditioner with NBC filters. There is a rear camera, not for the driver’s use (though he can use the camera, but more to monitor equipment on the trailer or a towed vehicle)  The BPz-3A1 is equip[ped with a BMS, Vehicle State computer, a GPS with mapping system, and data-capable radios.  In addition, a small computer is inside the computer which primarily has the tech manuals for all vehicles present in the German army or whatever army the BPz-3A1 is operating in.

*The addition of bar/slat armor means that 5 of the AV is the cage. The cage is not like normal spaced armor; it stops only 1d6 armor instead of 2d6.  For the front and sides, the GM should assess the damage reduction from the cage, then the composite armor. Before that, on the vehicle sides, the GM should assess the armor plate over the cage armor.

**Floor Armor for the BPz-3A1 and the Swedish BPz-3 are 14Sp.  Roof armor is AV 12Sp.  The bracing blade of the BPZ-3 (including the Swedish variant) has an AV of 4Sp; area protected depends how high the blade is raised.

****Floor Armor of the BPZ-3A1 is AV 16Sp.  Roof Armor is 14Sp. On the sides, the BPz-3A1 presents a sort of “one-two” punch; when a round hits, the special effects of spaced armor are calculated, then the special effects of composite armor. The blade has an AV of 8Sp.

Krauss-Maffei Pionierpanzer PiPz

PIPz-1 Pionierpanzer

     Notes:  This is an armored engineer vehicle developed from the Bergepanzer.  It is currently used by Germany (in ever-shrinking numbers), Belgium, Italy, and the Netherlands. The Canadians and the Germans used the vehicle in active service, but the Canadians found the PIPz-1 inadequate for their needs and replaced them.  The Germans also originally used a good number of them, but are in the process of replacing them with more up-to-date vehicles. The crane is retained but has special attachments to allow work with mines, demolition charges, and special tools to build and destroy fortifications.  The Pionierpanzer has no generator or fuel pump, but has a 700mm auger able to dig to 3.75 meters at a rate of 1.5 meters per auguring action, a dozer blade, a 36-ton winch, and a digging bucket that can lift 2 tons. (about 5 cubic meters in soil)  This arm can rotate 360 degrees; however, it is mounted on the front right side, and when turned from 271-360 degrees, the arm has to be raised at an angle of 50 degrees to reach over the hull. The crane has a ladder on it to assist in attaching tools.  The arm may also be fitted with a large hook on a heavy-gauge chain (about like you might find on a naval frigate), and able to lift 20 tons, or partially lift up to 40 tons (to emplace explosives for blasting, for example).

     On the right side of the upper hull is a hoisting winch that has 100 meters of cable and a capacity of 20 tons. The PIPz-1 also has a standard winch able to pull 36 tons with a straight pull.

     The Pionierpanzer typically carries a wide variety of excavation tools and attachments for its crane, as well as a welding set, a 5-meter ladder, 117kg of plastic explosives, 10 engineer demolitions sets, an engineer demo chest, and a variety of mines (up to 50).

     The plow is straight, and is as wide as the vehicle  (3.75 meters) and one-third as high (90 centimeters).  The blade can dig, in soil, 300 cubic meters in an hour. The plow is also extended on telescoping arms  that can push with a strength of 10 tons up to 3.5 meters. The plow can have a set of ripping teeth attached to it. The ripping teeth can rip up roads or pull up train tracks, of pull down electrical of communications poles; four such attachments may rip to 50mm, eight may rip to 400mm.

     The vehicle has no turret but has a raised superstructure, topped with a commander/crane operator's manually-rotating turret with all-around vision blocks. Power is provided by an MTU MB-873 Ca-501 multifuel engine developing 830 horsepower, with a ZF4HP250  automatic transmission.  Suspension is by torsion bar and two sets of hydraulic shocks. The Pionierpanzer has a secondary role as an ARV, primarily vehicle recovery, but it is admittedly deficient as an ARV, primarily limited to pulling out stuck vehicles and towing them. 

     The crew is protected by an NBC Overpressure system and personal gas masks.  There is no BMS, GPS, or Vehicle State computer (being in service before these were standardized), but it does have a transponder and inertial navigation. The driver is on the front left; the commander doubles as the crane operator and is on the front left and to the rear.  Additional engineers are inside the hull, and exit and enter through a hatch on the roof at the center of the superstructure.  The commander also may use the bow machinegun, which can be fired in an arc of 30 degrees right and 60 degrees left, and 20 degrees down and 45 degrees upwards. The main machinegun is used by one of the two mechanics in the hull, and is mounted on a skate mount around the center hatch.

Czech PIPz-1

     The Czech version’s primary difference from the standard PIPz-1 is the engine, another German-made engine, the MTU MB838 multifuel turbocharged engine with 919 horsepower available, and with considerable torque.  It is coupled to a ZF4HP250 automatic transmission with four forward and two reverse rears. The auger is only 60 centimeters wide, and can dig to 1.9 meters of earth in one auguring action.  The Czech version is equipped with two machineguns, one at the central hatch on a skate mount, and another at the commander’s position, also on a skate mount.  The bow machinegun is removed, and the space used to store the Engineer Demo Chest the vehicle carries.

     Like the standard Pionierpanzer 1, the Czech version can be used in a pinch as an ARV, Other than listed above and in the stats below, the Czech version has the same tool set as the Pionierpanzer 1. However, the Czech version has a GPS mapping system installed, and has air conditioning.

PIPz-2 Dachs

     The PiPz 2 Dachs (Badger) is an upgrade of the PiPz-1, with conversions being done by MaK in the 1990s, and continuing production done by Rheinmetall.  In addition to vehicles being sold, a kit was sold for upgrade purposes to countries wishing to do their own upgrades or do them on retiring Leopard 1s. Most conversions, however, were done by MaK, or MaK teams sent to the receiving countries.  They were first brought up to like-new status.  A new dozer blade (similar to the old one in concept, but stronger and more effective) and a new hydraulic system was fitted.  The excavator/tool arm is able to rotate 360 degrees, but for practical purposes, is limited to 270 degrees (see above). The driver has upgraded night vision; the commander/arm operator also have night vision. The commander is shifted to behind the driver, and has a manually-operated cupola with all-around vision blocks and a front block with a night channel.  Six grenade launchers, three on each side, equip the vehicle.  So does an automatic fire detection and suppression system, and an NBC Overpressure system.  The arm can extend 8 meters and the bucket can lift 5 tons.  The vehicle is otherwise similar to the PiPz-1, though updated in form and working methods, can lift 20 tons and has 100m of cable.  The crane can be equipped is equipped with a ½-meter-wide auger, a tow bar, internal welding tools; tools and the crane and dozer blade can be operated by a 10Kw generator.  The driver’s hatch is on the front left deck.  The turret is replaced by a raised superstructure upon which are two hatches.  An MG3 is located on a weapons mount next to the commander’s hatch; another is next to the driver in the bow. A small laptop computer contains the tech manuals for the Dachs and for its equipment, as well as some engineering solutions. The PiPz-2 is used by Germany, Canada, and Chile.

PIPz-2A2 Dachs    

     Canadian Dachs' have MEXAS composite appliqué armor applied for use in Afghanistan and Kosovo, as well as a floor plate. It has GPS and a BMS. The commander may aim and fire his weapon from inside the vehicle.

*Gun hits are hits on the various cranes, winches, and tools on the vehicle.  Ammunition hits are on the machinegun ammunition, the plastic explosive or engineer demo chests, or the mines.  The GM will choose what it hit in such a case. 

**Floor AV is 5Sp.

***The blade on the PIPz-1 can be used as ad hoc armor, giving the vehicle an AV of 7Sp from the front (where is protects depends on how high the blade is raised).  The Dachs’s blade is stronger and provides an AV of 10Sp.

MaK BPz-2 Bergepanzer

     Notes:  This is an armored recovery vehicle based on the Leopard 1 chassis.  About 700 BPz-2s have been built or modified from Leopard 1 tanks, and are or were used by Germany, Australia, Belgium, Canada, Netherlands, Italy (built under license by OTO Melera) Norway, Turkey, Turkey, and Greece. The BPz-2 replaced the M48-based ARVs.  The RFD was issued in 1961, and first deliveries took place in 1966. The BPz-2 is known as the Taurus in Canadian service.

BPz--2

    The turret of the Leopard 1 is removed and replaced with a raised superstructure.  The rest of the chassis is essentially the same as that of the Leopard 2A1 tank, though the electrical system has been upgraded to accommodate the tools and generator,  The electrical system is also upgraded to account for the crane, winch, and bracing blade.

     The Bergepanzer is equipped with a crane on the front right side that can mostly traverse 270º and lift 20 tons.  It can however, swing a powerpack onto its flat platform.

     The winch can pull a 35-ton vehicle with 90m of cable, or double that with block and tackle, or 100 tons with a 3-1 mechanical advantage.  The aux winch can pull 2.5 tons.  The Bergepanzer is usually equipped with a wide variety of tools, spare parts, and has an integral fuel pump, 10Kw generator, and a dozer blade. 

     The dozer blade is primarily for bracing during winching or crane operation, but can also be used for obstacle clearance and digging major fighting positions, though this is a secondary role). The BPz-2 can carry an entire Leopard power pack on its rear deck or other large cargo.

     The BPz-2 also has a fuel pump, so it can refuel vehicles from a containerized source fuel, a trailer, or a truck.

     The Bergepanzer has a driver’s hatch on the front center deck, a commander’s hatch on the front left deck, and two hatches on the left hull side.  The commander has a machinegun on a skate mount; the cupola has all-around vision blocks, it does not rotate,  Another hatch is provided in the center for the crane operator; the hatch is not raised; but the seat can superelevate almost to the opening of the hatch, and manually rotates, The control box for the crane is actually connected by a wiring harness and can be removed from its bracket, enough that the crane operator may step out of his hatch and stand on the vehicle. Passenger spaces are provided for an entire tank crew or additional repair personnel.  The bow machinegunner is operated by the driver via solenoid, and which can be fired in an arc of 30 degrees right and 60 degrees left, and 20 degrees down and 45 degrees upwards.

BPz-2A2

     The BPz-2A2 is an upgraded form of the BPz-2.  It has a jack carried on the rear face able to lever up a vehicle weighing 70 tons to 20 degrees, allowing mechanics to get to the underside of the vehicle being recovered., The jack is also used to reduce the pressure on the dozer blade when working with the crane., a crane boom able to reach 7.68 meters, and can lift 32 tons, and it is strengthened. The winch can pay out cable at 74 meters per second (as opposed to 22 meters per second). The BPz-2A2 has double-vane pumps for the hydraulic system. It has mechanical dozer blade locking. The BPz-2A2 has a small computer with a database of recovery and repair solutions. The armor suite is slightly upgraded with passive and spaced armor.

The BPz-2A2 is sometimes called the Buffel, though it is not to be confused with the BPz-3. Other details are largely as the BPz-2 though the BPz-2A2APU has an APU of 20kW. The BPz-2A2 were mostly equipped with BMSs, Vehicle State computer, and a GPS System with mapping computer later in life; any or all of this is offered on the international market as a kit for existing BPz-3A2s.

     A small hatch in the rear, but other positions are as the BPz-3.

*Gun hits are hits on the various cranes, winches, and tools on the vehicle. The GM will choose what it hit in such a case.  Some operators have put AV2 or AV3 gumshields at the front or surrounding the commander’s position; if surrounded by a gun shield, the vehicle’s Config is changed to CiH.

**The dozer AV is 6Sp.  What will be protected on the front depends on how high the dozer is raised.

***The dozer of the BPz-2A2 is a bit stronger; it has an AV of 7Sp.

MaK M47 BGs

     Notes:  As with the M48 ARV (see below), this vehicle was originally produced by Germany for export and as kits for those retiring their M47 main battle tanks.  Another major seller of this vehicle was Spain, and the designs of the two countries are similar.  The basic design is similar to the M48 ARV, with the turret being replaced with a raised superstructure, crane, winch, fuel pump, and dozer blade, The M47 ARV was used to recover both lighter tanks and armored vehicles and armored personnel carriers and infantry fighting vehicles.  Slightly smaller than the M48 ARV, it also is somewhat less capable than that vehicle in towing capacity. The M47 ARV variant did not see as much success as the later M48 ARV (below).

     The crane is capable of lifting 18.7 tons at a reach of 5.3 meters, and unlike the M48 ARV, can turn a full 360 degrees, as the crane is mounted in the center of the vehicle.  The main winch of the M47 ARV can pull 35 tons, or 70 tons with block and tackle.  A secondary winch can pull 6.5 tons, or 13 tons with block and tackle.  The dozer blade can excavate 190 cubic meters per hour, but is mainly used to brace the vehicle during heavy lifting or winching operations, though it can fill trenches, move large obstacles, or dig large fighting positions or prepare AVLB anchor terrain.  The M47 carries basic tools, wheeled vehicle tools, tracked vehicle tools, a welding and cutting set, an air compressor, small arms and heavy ordinance tools, a tow bar, several coils or rope and cable, and pulleys and snatch blocks for heavy winching operations. 

     The engine remains a Continental AV-1790-5B diesel engine developing 810 horsepower. Unfortunately the M47 BGs does not have an APU and the tools, crane, and winches rely on engine power.

     The M47 ARV was developed for the Turkish, but has also been trialed in Pakistan. The M47 BGs has no navigation per se, though it does have a gyrocompass and a transponder. The driver is in the normal position for an M47 on the front left, the commander is to the rear and right of him, with a machinegun on a skate mount, to which the AV3 gun shields are attached. The crane operator is in a enclosure beside the crane which is mostly made of AV3 plexiglass, The additional crewmembers are mechanics who are seated inside the vehicle.

*The dozer blade can give a frontal AV bonus of 4Sp; what it protects depends on how high it is raised.

MaK M48 BGs

     Notes:  This is a recovery vehicle based on the chassis of the M48A3 or A5 main battle tank.  These vehicles were first produced by Germany for export and as kits to be sold to countries retiring their M48 tanks. As such, they can be found in many of the countries that once used the M48A3 or A5 (or in some cases, even earlier iterations of the M48). These vehicles were built primarily for use by Germany herself, but the Germans decided against putting the M48 BGs in their service. The Turks have at least 4 and the Greeks have at least 3 (and they have received kits to modify more); there are a few scattered around the globe, mostly used by countries who were retiring their M48s. MaK sells these modifications as kits and knock-down setups, and in some cases, will supply instruction to other countries’ technicians.

     In this role, the M48 chassis has its turret removed, and a raised superstructure, along with a crane, winch, fuel pump, and dozer blade are added.  The crane is mounted on the front right side and can lift 20 tons (enough for most older Western or Eastern Bloc tank turrets) at a reach of 6 meters.  The winch has a pulling strength of 35 tons without bracing and 70 tons with block and tackle, and has 90 meters of cable.  There is a secondary winch with a capacity of 6.5 tons, or 13 tons with bracing, and 100 meters of cable.  The dozer blade can excavate 200 cubic meters per hour and is also used to brace the vehicle during heavy lifting or winching operations.  The M48 ARV is equipped with a welding and cutting set, an air compressor, a circular saw, a medium chainsaw, a complete hand tool set, a tow bar, several coils of rope and cable, and items such as pulleys and snatch blocks. 

     Many other improvements of the M48 over the years. Such as larger dust shields, side shirts, larger fuel tanks, better sand filters, and numerous automotive, hydraulic and electrical improvements, have been applied to the M48 base, particularly if the starting point was the M48A3 or earlier.  The vehicles have been upgraded with a Continental AVDS-1790-21 turbocharged diesel engine developing 908 horsepower with an automatic transmission.  There is no APU, however, and power for tools, crane, and winches must supplied by the engine.

     A wider driver’s hatch was installed (though it is in the same place on the top front of the glacis), the commander’s position is on the front right and slightly behind the driver, and his weapon is on a skate mount rather than an enclosed cupola (though the position is surrounded with AV3 gun shields), The driver has a front vision block with a night channel; the commander has a periscope with a gun reticle and a night channel. The crane operator is in a manually-rotating cupola in the center of the vehicle, with all-around vision blocks, a periscope, and a night channel which may be switched between the periscope and the front vision block. The crane operator also normally controls the winches, but these may also be operated by the driver.  The driver also controls the front blade. The remaining crewman is a mechanic or technician, with a seat inside the vehicle. Like the M47 BGs, the M48 BGs has no navigation per se, though it does have a gyrocompass and a transponder. Though the M48 BGs has nothing like Overpressure protection, it does have a Vehicular NBC Pack, and the crew have hoses into which they may plug their protective mask filters into. (The hoses are not long enough, however, to reach mechanics working outside.)

     Twilight 2000 Notes: No NATO country started the war with the M48 BGs; however, M48 ARV began to be used in front-line service by many countries as damaged vehicles became more common.  Other countries, particularly in the Second World, used prewar versions or made their own modifications; these variants could vary wildly depending on the country making the modifications, but there are too many such different modifications to deal with them here.  Other countries which were equipped with M48s also made their own M48 ARVs, again with the caution of the aforementioned differences in modifications.

*The dozer blade can give a frontal AV bonus of 5Sp; what it protects depends on how high it is raised.

Rheinmetall Wiesel 2 Engineer Reconnaissance Vehicle

     Notes:  This is a Wiesel 2 APC fitted out for the engineer reconnaissance role.  It is designed for use by German Airborne use and so far is not used by any other country; I have not been able to determine if any other countries use it, though the US Army’s Ranger Battalions have been testing it along with other variants of the Wiesel 2. (A total of nine of various types were bought by the Rangers for testing, and though they are no longer working with their Wiesels, the Rangers have retained them in working condition at Hunter Army Airfield.) As of October 2020, 33 Wiesels of various types have been received by the Germans so far, and they have another 145 on order..

     In this role, the Wiesel 2 carries a remote mine detector, an RF jammer for IEDs and mines, which can also jam the firing chain of some RPG-type weapons and some older ATGMs. Other sensors include an optical chemical sniffer, a Geiger counter, and radiation shielding.  The ERV has an engineer demolitions chest, several kilograms of plastic explosive, and about 15 antipersonnel or Claymore-type mines and five AT mines.,

     Other equipment carried includes an inertial navigation set, GPS, a BMS system, a rubber raft for water inspections of bridges and suchlike, a computer to compile the results of their investigations with a wireless modem to upload it to higher headquarters, and at least two long-range data-capable radios, including one with a range of some 500 kilometers over flat terrain or to the top of a mountain. . Several different modular kits have been developed for the ERV, including a blockade kit, basically by blowing down trees with C4), demolition of bridges and strongpoints. The vehicle is fully digitized, and has a BMS and GPS, as well as a backup inertial navigation system and a computerized land navigation system.  The ERV can be operated by a remote cable and interface up to 60 meters away.

     The engine is a turbocharged diesel which develops 109 horsepower and has an automatic transmission. A modicum of applique armor was added to the front and sides (but don’t get excited – the applique consists merely of thin aluminum plates).

     The driver is on the front left; the commander is to the right and behind the driver, with a raised, manually-turning cupola with all-around vision blocks and a pintle mount for a machinegun. He has a laser rangefinder, but this is not linked to his weapon and cannot be used for fire control. The rangefinder can also operate as a laser designator.  In the rear is a dismount crewman to take a closer look at conditions and obstacles.  When the vehicle is buttoned up, the crew is protected by NBC Overpressure. Troops enter and leave normally through the twin rear doors, but may also enter and exit through commander’s or driver’s hatches.

Krauss-Maffei PSB 2

     Notes: The PSB 2 (Panzerschenellbrucke 2) is based on the Leopard 2 chassis (new build versions of it).  Currently, Germany and Netherlands are its customers, though it is offered on the international market.  The Dutch name for the vehicle is the Bruglegger.  In both countries, the PSB-2 is replacing or supplementing the Biber AVLB (above).  The German Army requirement is for 36 PSB-2s, while the Dutch Army will have a total of 14.

     The hull is essentially unchanged from the Leopard 2 hull, with its strong armor, automotive, and powerpack abilities, but the vehicle is greatly otherwise modified to serve the role of an AVLB.  The bridge has center, front, and back sections, and can be laid and recovered from either direction.  The bridge is deployed and recovered cantilever style, which cannot be seen from as great a distance as AVLB which employ V-employment.  The vehicle can take a load of 70 tons has a matter of course; with care, vehicles of up to 100 tons can be accommodated. The bridge consists of aluminum modules, strengthened in strategic placed with steel.  Two stabilizers must be lowered to the ground before deployment or recovery; in addition, there are stabilizers on both the front and rear of the center section. The bridge weighs 9.7 tons, takes 3 minutes to deploy, and five to recover. Overall length is 28.7 meters.

     Power is by an MTU MB-837 Ka-501 turbocharged diesel engine with an automatic transmission.  The powerpack, automotive trains, and electrical and fuel systems are identical to the Leopard 2. 

     The crew is protected by an NBC Overpressure system, an air conditioner and heater, and a small drinking water tank of 20 liters.  Normal crew is two; however, the PSB 2 can carry an additional crewmember as a bridge deployment specialist.  The driver is on the front left and, the commander in the center, and the additional crewmember further back in the fuselage; he has vision blocks and a periscope, but no hatch, and has four-way rotatable day/night CCTVs (these can also be controlled from the commander’s position). The third crewmember is a dedicated bridgelayer, but the PSB-2 can operate (though less efficiently) without him, the commander using the bridge laying duties. Ancillary equipment includes a number of cables, supports, blocks and tackles, ropes, etc. The PSB 2 has a GPS and BMS system.

     Though the PSB-2 is officially not armed, it is common for crews to carry a bipod-mounted machinegun and a small amount of ammunition for it.