Mines are weapons that are very simple in design and at the same time very effective.
The effectiveness of mines allows them to remain one of the most important defensive weapons systems. And very controversial because of the danger to both the military and civilians.
Therefore, the fight against mines remains one of the most important tasks of engineering support for combat operations of troops. For this purpose, various means are used, including various demining complexes.
One of these complexes is the German RCP complex.
The RCP demining complex (translated as -) was developed by Rheinmetall and began to enter service with the Bundeswehr engineering units in October 2011.
At the same time, it must be said that initially the Bundeswehr wanted to purchase an American route cleaning system for the disposal of explosives, but later decided to develop their own. Consequently, the German Federal Agency for Defense Technology and Procurement has signed a contract with Rheinmetall to supply the Bundeswehr with innovative force protection technologies that will provide German troops deployed in Afghanistan with even greater security. The total volume of the two contracts, which were awarded in response to the urgent operational requirements of the Bundeswehr, is about 24 million euros.
The RCP demining complex is designed to clear column tracks from mines, landmines and improvised explosive devices (IEDs) while escorting military convoys. Several such complexes are in service with the German contingent of the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan. Also, RCP is used when escorting military transport convoys in conditions of possible counteraction to ambushes. To this end, the federal department for the development and procurement of weapons and military equipment purchased from Rheinmetall seven more demining systems, which are called "KAI" (from German -).
Each RCP complex consists of four mobile platforms: a remotely controlled vehicle (RCD) for detecting explosive devices RCDV based on the Wiesel-1 armored vehicle, a CCV control vehicle based on the Fuchs armored personnel carrier, a remotely controlled mine-clearing vehicle Mini-Minevolf and a multipurpose vehicle firm "Man".
The complex works as follows. During a demining operation, RCDV equipment marks places where mines, IEDs or unidentified objects that pose a potential hazard are found. Then the Mini-Minevolf demining machine, equipped with a soil cutter and a knife mine sweep, clears the marked areas from mines of all types, including anti-personnel and anti-tank mines. The machines are controlled by the operator from the CCV control machine, equipped with two systems, one of which is designed to control the operation of the RCDV and Mini-Minevolf, and the other - to process data from the RCDV sensors.
CCV Control Machine It was created on the basis of the Fuchs armored personnel carrier and is intended for monitoring and control of the RCDV explosive device detection machines and the Mini-Minevolf demining when carrying out work to clear the area from mines, land mines and IEDs.
BTR "Fuchs-1A8" with a set of special equipment to prevent damage to the crew in explosions was created for a year on an urgent order from the Bundeswehr, taking into account the experience of operating such vehicles as part of the US armed forces in Iraq and the Bundeswehr in Afghanistan.
Compared to older vehicles, the new generation 1A8 offers a number of improvements, including a larger payload, more reliable suspension, improved brakes and a larger usable interior volume provided by the raised roof profile.
The following changes were made to the design of "Fuchs-1A8": the bottom, side projections, chassis with armor of critical components were reinforced, as well as the structures of doors and hatches were reinforced. New ergonomic seats are installed in such a way as to reduce the effect of damaging factors when a mine is blown up under the bottom and wheel arches.
To increase cross-country ability, the machine is equipped with a centralized tire inflation system, which allows the driver to adjust tire pressure in them depending on the terrain and road conditions.
The main tactical and technical characteristics of the "Fuchs-1A8" machine: maximum speed on the highway 105 km / h; engine power 320 hp with; fuel range 800 km; combat weight 17, 3 tons; length 6, 83 m, width 2, 98 m, height 2, 3 m; wheel arrangement 6x6.
The set of the CCV control machine includes, as mentioned above, the RCDV monitoring and control systems and the Mini-Minevolf demining machine, as well as processing data from the RCDV sensors.
Remote controlled explosive device search machine RCDV equipped with two mine search systems: with a metal detector and a soil radar. The use of these systems makes it possible to determine with high accuracy the location and depth of a mine or explosive device. The RCDV was developed on the basis of the Wiesel-1 armored vehicle. The armament was removed from the vehicle, and the upper part of the hull was modified and equipped with a new dual-mode sensor, a subsurface radar (SSR) in combination with a metal detector (MD) for detecting mines and IEDs.
During operation "Wiesel-1" travels at a maximum speed of 6 km / h with deployed PPR / MD in a vertical position, covering a strip 2.4 m wide, which can be expanded to 4 m when installing an additional antenna. This mine detection system is located at the rear of the RCDV, as a result of which it moves in reverse while searching for mines and explosives. When not needed or during transportation, PPR / MD are removed to the roof.
The machine is controlled by a driver or operator remotely using a remote control from the CCV body.
The maximum speed of the RCDV on the highway is 85 km / h; engine power 90 hp with; fuel range 200 km; combat weight 2.75 tons; length (without search systems min) 3, 6 m, width 1, 82 m, height 1, 85 m.
Remotely controlled mine-clearing vehicle "Mini-Minevolf" designed to clear the area from the detected mines of various types. This DUM is equipped with a knife mine sweep and a cutter capable of cutting through the ground to a depth of 25 cm. Depending on the mission requirements, the 10-ton vehicle can also be equipped with various tools, including a manipulator, rotary cultivator or dozer blade. The integrated video system allows the operators on the crew to be constantly informed about the situation on the spot.
The MAN multi FSA multipurpose off-road truck is designed to transport the Mini-Minevolf to the work site and back to the place of permanent deployment (maintenance). Carrying capacity of the car is 16 tons (wheel arrangement 8x8), a six-cylinder diesel engine with a capacity of 440 liters is installed on it. with.
At the end of 2012, Rheinmetall, commissioned by the Bundeswehr, developed a new bomb disposal arm and successfully integrated it into an armored vehicle EOD (explosive ordnance disposal) from Fox. The machine with the new manipulator received the designation "KAI" (translated as -).
KAI is intended for use in escorting military transport convoys as an autonomous EOD detection system, for reconnaissance of places that cannot be reached by the route control system. The most characteristic feature of the KAI is a high-precision manipulator with several joints, with a range of more than 10 meters (according to various sources, up to 14 m) and a lifting capacity of 400 kg. This allows personnel to investigate and identify unexploded ordnance and booby-traps from a safe distance.
The manipulator arm can be equipped with two different tools. The first is a dual sensor, an 80 cm version of the RCSys sensor (ie, subsurface radar). This allows the operator to inspect suspicious locations and helps the operator determine if an IED has been planted there, including in hard-to-reach locations such as drain pipes or behind walls to check for explosive devices. In addition, a special rescue platform can be attached to the arm of the manipulator to evacuate personnel from the hazardous area.
At the end of 2012, the Bundeswehr ordered seven of these vehicles. They were delivered between October 2015 and the end of 2016. The order value was approximately 37 million euros.
Thus, the command of the FRG Armed Forces continues to implement the program for adopting new types of weapons and military equipment. The RCP demining complex, which has passed comprehensive tests in combat conditions, goes into service with units and is actively used by German military specialists on the territory of Afghanistan in order to ensure the safety of personnel and equipment during the movement of military columns. However, the exact number of the complexes supplied to the troops is unknown, and the effectiveness of their use in Afghanistan remains unknown.
