The program for creating a multi-purpose armored vehicle ARTEC MRAV (Multi-Role Armored Vehicle), like many other European armored vehicles, has a very interesting history. Three countries began to develop a combat vehicle - France, Germany and Great Britain. The first one later left the project and went its own way, starting to develop a new BMP VBCI, which should replace the tracked BMP AMX-10P, which is in service with the French army. Germany and Great Britain did not need an infantry fighting vehicle. They needed a multipurpose vehicle that could solve various tasks, including an armored personnel carrier and a command post vehicle. In the UK, this machine was named MRAV, and in Germany - GTK (Gepanzertes Transport Kraftfahrzeug) or Boxer. In 1999, both countries signed a contract for the development of MRAV with the newly formed concern ARTEC (ARmoured TEChnology) headquartered in Munich. It includes the German companies Krauss-Maffei-Wegmann, Rheinmetall Landsystem and the British Elvis Vickers. The Netherlands later joined the project. The prototype development process, as is often the case, was delayed, and the first prototype appeared only in 2001, and in 2003 the UK decided to withdraw from the program.
The first Boxer prototype appeared in 2001
Boxer first trials began in 2003
After lengthy trials, the Boxer armored personnel carrier was adopted by the armies of Germany and the Netherlands, while the countries ordered 272 and 200 vehicles, respectively. The layout of the Boxer armored personnel carrier is very unusual. The machine, as it were, consists of two parts: a chassis with an engine compartment and a control compartment, and a specialized module in the rear, which can be undocked if necessary.
The Boxer armored personnel carrier is capable of reaching speeds of over 100 km / h on the highway.
Boxer has good maneuverability for cars of its class.
The Boxer armored personnel carrier is the result of cooperation between two countries at once: Germany and the Netherlands.
A characteristic feature of the Boxer is a high degree of protection against small arms bullets, shell and mine fragments, as well as anti-tank mines. The vehicle is also equipped with a system of protection against weapons of mass destruction. Elements of stealth technology are used in the design of the case, including those that reduce thermal and acoustic signatures.
When creating Boxer, the developers tried to make maximum use of proven and in-production components and assemblies, including the engine, transmission and other components of the engine-transmission group.
Modification of the Boxer IFS, armed with a 30mm cannon. Unlike the basic model, this version of Boxer belongs to the class of infantry fighting vehicles by some experts.
Boxer IFS - Infantry Fighting Vehicle
To reduce production and maintenance costs, when creating a Boxer armored personnel carrier, proven and in-production components and assemblies are used to the maximum extent, including the engine, transmission and other components of the engine-transmission group. The basic modification of the vehicle has a crew of three (commander, gunner and driver) and can carry six fully equipped infantrymen, as well as supplies for 1-2 days. The landing is dismounted through the stern ramp. The vehicle is armed with a 40mm automatic grenade launcher and a 12.7mm machine gun mounted on a remote-controlled carriage. The installation of weapons on the carriage made it possible to reduce the height and weight of the vehicle, as well as free up additional space inside the hull to accommodate additional personnel or property.
The Boxer armored personnel carrier is also equipped with various types of night vision devices, a centralized tire inflation system, power steering and anti-lock braking system. Several specialized modules for the machine have been developed. In particular, the UK and the Netherlands ordered an armored medical vehicle to provide first aid to the wounded on the battlefield and evacuate them to the rear. This module will have a higher roof to increase the usable volume and comfort of the medical staff. In addition, a mobile communications center and an electronic warfare vehicle, a conveyor for the transport of goods, reconnaissance, command-staff and repair and recovery vehicles have been developed.
Tactical and technical characteristics
Weight: 14 t
Crew: 3 people
Troopers: 8 people
Overall dimensions: body length - 7.93 m, width - 2.99 m, height - 2.37 m, clearance - 0.50 m
Armor: no data
Armament: 40-mm automatic grenade launcher (Heckler & Koch GMG), 12.7-mm machine gun M3M
Ammunition: no data
Powerplant: 8-cylinder turbocharged diesel engine 530 kW (720 hp)
Overcoming obstacles: moat 2.00 m wide, wall with a height of 0.80 m, lifting angle up to 30 degrees
Maximum speed: on the highway - 103 km / h
Progress in store: on the highway - 1050 km
