German company Rheinmetall unveils the latest variant of its AEV3 Kodiak, a tracked engineer armored vehicle based on the Leopard 2 MBT (Main Battle Tank) chassis. The new version of the AEV3 Kodiak is fitted with a new add-on armor package to increase protection against guided missiles and rocket-propelled grenades.
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The new third-generation engineer armored vehicle AEV3 Kodiak. (Picture source Army Recognition)
The AEV3 Kodiak offers a high level of ballistic protection and also integrates mine protection, ABC protective ventilation, and a crew room with a heating and cooling system.
The AEV3 Kodiak was developed by the German company Rheinmetall to offer a third-generation tracked armored engineer vehicle equipped with state-of-the-art equipment and offering high levels of protection and mobility in the entire field of application.
The AEV3 Kodiak is the perfect tool for army engineers tasked with erecting or breaking obstacles on the battlefield, including breaking minefields. The AEV3 KODIAK is also particularly suitable for disaster relief domestically and abroad. In addition, the vehicle is able to provide electrical and hydraulic energy for external tools, e.g. for additional work lights or hydraulically powered hand tools
The AEV3 KODIAK combines modern engineering technology with the tried-and-tested components from the LEOPARD2 battle tank. The vehicle has a crew of two or three who can use all the engineer systems under full armor protection.
The AEV3 KODIAK has an articulated arm excavator mounted at the front of the vehicle, including further excavator tools, an adjustable bulldozer blade, and a flexible winch system. The total weight remains the same despite the extensive equipment in the MLC70 class. Using the mine breakthrough kit, the crew can quickly convert the KODIAK into a mine breakthrough system with a mine clearance plough, signature duplicator, and marking equipment. Additional equipment, such as combat control systems as well as radio and intercom devices and other accessories are integrated according to customer specifications.
For its self-protection, the latest variant of the AEV3 Kodiak is fitted with a NATTER remotely operated weapon station mounted on the roof of the crew compartment. This weapon station can be armed with a 7.62mm or 12.7mm machine gun. The carbon-based mount technology enables a significant reduction in weight and vibration, which, in conjunction with the shape and design, offers a significantly reduced signature. The integrated vision system (FlexEye®) represents the latest day and night vision (IR) sensor technology and thus enables the simultaneous, weather-independent display of several targets.
The AEV3 KODIAK has a length of 10.2 m, a width of 4.30 m, and a height of 2.90 m. It has a combat weight of MLC 80. It can reach a top road speed of 60 km. In terms of mobility, the AEV3 KODIAK can negotiate a gradient of 60% and a side slope of 30%. It can climb a vertical obstacle of 1.10 m in height. It can cross a trench with a length of 2.5 m or a water obstacle of 2.25m depth.
The new generation of AEV3 Kodiak is fitted with an add-on armor to increase protection against guided missiles and rocket-propelled grenades. (Picture source Army Recognition)
