Puma IFV

KMW Rheinmetall Tracked Armoured Infantry Fighting Vehicle Germany

Puma IFV KMW Rheinmetall armoured infantry fighting vehicle Germany German Army 925 001

Description

The Projekt Systems and Management (PSM) consortium, based in Kassel in Germany, is developing the Puma tracked infantry fighting vehicle for the German Army under a programme authorised by the German Federal Parliament in 2002. The PSM industrial consortium is owned by Krauss-Maffei Wegmann and Rheinmetall Landsysteme. The Puma programme has formerly been known as the Igel and the Neuer Schuetzenpanzer (NsPz). The new armoured infantry fighting vehicle PUMA with its highly modern protection components and its high firepower has been conceived for this mission profile. The Projekt System und Management GmbH (PSM) in Kassel on 20 December 2005 will present the first system demonstrator of the PUMA. As prime contractor, PSM is responsible for the coordination of the project, with Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW) holding a 50% stake. The first prototype vehicle and systems demonstrator was rolled out in December 2005. The prototype was delivered in May 2006 and will begin mobility and firing trials before the end of 2006. Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW) and Rheinmetall handed over on December 6th in time the first two PUMA infantry fighting vehicles to the Federal Office of Defense Technology and Procurement (BWB) in Kassel for verification tests. May 2010, Rheinmetall and Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW) concluded a cooperation agreement with the American companies Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) and Boeing in order to tender a joint bid for the development contract for the Ground Combat Vehicle (GCV) programme of the United States Army.

Puma IFV variants

No variants at this time.


Technical Data

Armament
The Puma is fitted with a remotely controlled weapon station, developed by Kraus-Maffei Wegmann, which is armed with a dual-feed Mauser 30mm MK 30-2 cannon. Rheinmetall is responsible for the integration of the Mauser cannon and the ammunition handling system. A coaxial mounted MG 4 is used as a secondary armament laid and operated analogue to the main weapon. At the back of the turret is mounted 8 electric smoke dischargers. The Puma is also armed with two launchers mounted to the left side of the turret able to fire MELLS anti-tank guided missiles which is a German version of the Israeli-made Spike missile. The missile is designed to engage armoured vehicle targets with a range from 4,000 to 5,500m. 
Design and protection
The Puma is built with the option of three levels of protection to suit the operational requirements. The versions weigh 29.4t, 31.45t and 43t. Through easy-to-attach additional equipment, an increase to the considerably more extensive Protection Level C (Combat) using additional protection modules is carried out in the area of operation. These armoured modules are fixed to the flanks of the vehicle and are hinged so that even with maximum Level C protection rail-loading capability is still guaranteed. With these protection modules, the crew receives protection against attacks from hand-held anti-tank weapons, 30 mm machine guns and bomblets. Its mine protection is highly effective against blast and projectile-forming mines. For air transport in the military Airbus A400M, a weight reduction to 31.45 tons is achieved through the simple disassembly of the flank protection modules. The Puma is also fitted with the MUSS APS (Active Protection System) a soft kill active protection system developed to protect military vehicles against guided anti-tank missiles.
Mobility
The Puma is fitted with a new High Power Density 892 series diesel engine developed by MTU. The MTU 892 series is rated at 800kW which provides the Puma with a power-to-weight ratio of 25.4kW/t. The suspension on each side consists of six dual rubber-tyred road wheels with the drive sprocket at the front and idler at the front. The upper part of the suspension is protected by armour plates.
Accessories
The puma is equipped with 2 displays for optronic images, 4 rear-mounted cameras and 1 reversing camera, 2 vision blocks and 1 vision block rotary-mounted/1 image intensifier, open-hatch view (sliding hatch and partially opened rear ramp).

Specifications

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Armament Armor
One 30 mm gun, one 7.62 mm coaxial machine gun and 8 smoke-grenade dischargers. Protection against small arms, mine and IED, no details information about level protection.
Country users Weight
Germany 31,450 kg (Protection Level A)
40.700 kg (Protection Level C)
Designer Country Speed
Germany 70 km/h
Accessories Range
Air conditioning, NBC protection system, and night vision, firing controls system, main armament stabilization. 650 km
Crew Dimensions
3 + 6 soldiers Length: 7,33 m; Width: 3,43 m; Height: 3,050 m

Details View

Puma KMW armoured infantry fighting vehicle Germany German Army front view 002
Puma KMW armoured infantry fighting vehicle Germany German Army rear view 002
Puma KMW armoured infantry fighting vehicle Germany German Army left side view 002
Puma KMW armoured infantry fighting vehicle Germany German Army right side view 002

Pictures - Video

 

Puma IFV Infantry Fighting Vehicle ...
Puma IFV Infantry Fighting Vehicle production line Rheinmetall Unterlüß Germany