- Yes
- No
Suggestion for the Caracal – Air assault vehicle:
The Caracal ist the successor to the German Wiesel and ESK Mungo. It would be a fast, lightwhait and funny vehicle.
Overview
The Caracal airborne vehicle is based on the military Mercedes-Benz G-Class 464 series, which itself derives from the G 461. It features solid axles, an additional 24V electrical system, and a modular structure supplied by ACS Armoured Car Systems. The vehicle can be airlifted—carried internally or externally—by CH-47F Chinook and CH-53K King Stallion helicopters.
In July 2023, the German Bundeswehr and the Dutch armed forces signed a framework agreement with Rheinmetall: Germany plans to procure up to 2,054 vehicles, and the Netherlands up to 1,004, with a total value of up to €1.9 billion (Germany’s share financed through the Bundeswehr special fund).
The Caracal will come in variants for personnel, group, and material transport, as well as medical evacuation, replacing the Wolf and Mungo vehicles in Germany’s Rapid Forces Division (DSK). The Dutch will use it in the 11th Airmobile Brigade, which is part of the DSK. Prototype deliveries were planned for early 2024, with series production beginning in early 2025.
The vehicle is developed and produced in cooperation with Mercedes-Benz and ACS Armoured Car Systems GmbH. Initially, 1,508 vehicles (1,004 for Germany and 504 for the Netherlands) worth about €870 million were ordered. Final assembly will take place entirely in the Netherlands.
Specifications
- Crew: 2 - 3 (Driver, Gunner (and Commander))
- Mass: 4.9 t
- Length: 4.35 m - 4.7 m
- Width: 1.81 m
- Height: 1.85 m
- Main armament: ATGM(SPIKE LR2 / MELLS), (or12.7mm (.50cal) M2 Browning heavy machine gun
(HMG), various 40mm automatic grenade launchers (AGL))
as well as MG5 type of weapons) - Main armament ammunition: approximately 6-10
- Main armament elevation: –25° up to +55°
- Engine: 249 hp / 183 kW Mercedes-Benz NAG3 9G-tronic
- Maximum speed: 130 km/h on road
- Cross / side slope: 60% / 30%
- Wading depth: 700mm
- Climbing ability: 330mm
- Ditch crossing ability 500mm
Sources
- https://www.rheinmetall.com/Rheinmetall%20Group/brochure-download/Vehicle-Systems/D1060d0224-Caracal-Luftlandefahrzeug.pdf
- https://www.rheinmetall.com/Rheinmetall%20Group/brochure-download/Electronic-Solutions/D1096e0424-Softmount-Multimount-versatile-weapon-mount.pdf
- Luftlandefahrzeug Caracal | Rheinmetall
- https://suv.report/caracal-die-zukuenftige-luftlandeplattform-der-bundeswehr
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f5DE42qeAI0
- Typ Caracal als Allround-Talent: Was kann das neue Luftlandefahrzeug der Bundeswehr? - ntv.de
