- Yes
- No
The Wiesel 1 MELLS is another Weapon System that has been mounted on the small killer vehicle,
In this case it is the MELLS system that shoots Spikes and is supposed to replace older missle systems. This becomes a more relevant matter with the first F&F vehicles getting added.
I think the Wiesel 1 MELLS would fit nicely behind the Wiesel 1A2 and would replace it as the new top tier tank destroyer.
History:
Development started in 1973 the Wiesels job was the use as an air-transportable light vehicle for the airborne troops, this new vehicle was supposed to replace the Kraka vehicle, fit in the most common Nato transport planes, and be able to fight both infantry and other tanks.
The vehicle devloped by Porsche went trough multiple development phases in the years, but germany at first decided to drop the development in 1979 because of a lack of funds. But Porsche decided to continue development on this vehicle cause of the intrest of other nations. But already 2 years later the german army realised that the Kraka needed to be replaced and Porsche was able to show of a prototype with a TOW launcher
As a result a new commission with TOW and MK20 armament started.
Finaly at the end of 1988 the german army ordered 343 vehicles, 210 TOW variants and 133 MK20 variants.
Since then the Wiesel family steadily grew with anti air/mortar variants as well as scouting, commando, first aid and many more variants.
Now the Wiesel 1 Mells is the newest member of this family as a way to replace the old TOW system
Moblity,Dimensions and Armor
Emtpy weight without weapon system mounted: 1960Kg
Combat weight: 2500-3300Kg
Lenght: 3310mm
Width: 1820mm
Height: 2,1m
Clearance: c.a. 300mm,depending on load
Operational range: 286km
Speed: 80 Kph
Armor: Protection against splinter and 7.62mm non-AP ammunition (In other words-Basically nonexistant)
Armor material: RHA
Suspension: 4 roadwheels+ 1Return roller,Torsion bar suspension
Brakes: 2-Circuit hydraulic brake
Fording capability: up to 500mm
Climbing ability: 60% slope
Engine
5-Cylinder 4-Stroke Turbodiesel (Made by VW)
Power: 64KW (87hp)/4500RPM,195Nm/1900RPM
Compression: 19:1
Displacement 2461cm³
Cooling Water
Bore/Stroke 81mm/95.5mm
Transmission
Hydromechanic transmission type 3HP-22
Gears 3 Forward,1 Reverse
The Missle of the MELLS system is 1,2m long weights 13,2kg has a maximum range of 4000m and uses a combination of IR and daylight Seekerhead.
The Wiesel is able to take a total of 7 Missles with itself.
Furthermore the capacity might be able to be increased to 8 Missles with the same holder on the side that the tow missles use.
Sources:
https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wiesel_(militärisches_Kettenfahrzeug)