Fennek

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Not to be confused with Fennec.
LGS Fennek
Fennek-highres.jpg
Royal Netherlands Army Fennek
TypeScout car
Place of originGermany
Netherlands
Service history
In service2003–present
Used by German Army
 Royal Netherlands Army
Qatari Armed Forces
WarsWar in Afghanistan (2001–present)
Production history
DesignerKrauss-Maffei Wegmann
Designed1997–2000
ManufacturerKrauss-Maffei Wegmann
Dutch Defence Vehicle Systems
Unit cost€1.6 million
Produced2001–present
No. built632
Specifications
Mass9.7–10.4 tonnes (10.7–11.5 short tons)
Length5.71 metres (18.7 ft)
Width2.49 metres (8.2 ft)
Height1.79 metres (5.9 ft)
Crew3
Main
armament
HK GMG 40 mm grenade autocannon or Rheinmetall MG3 (German version), M2HB 12.7 mm machine gun (Dutch versions)
Secondary
armament
Not applicable
EngineDeutz diesel
179 kW (239 hp)
Power/weight18.5 kW/tonne
SuspensionSelectable 4 wheel drive
Operational
range
860 kilometres (530 mi)
Maximum speed 115 kilometres per hour (71 mph)

The Fennek, named after the fennec (a species of small desert fox), or LGS Fennek, with LGS being short for Leichter Gepanzerter Spähwagen in German (Light Armoured Reconnaissance Vehicle), is a four-wheeled armed reconnaissance vehicle produced by the German company Krauss-Maffei Wegmann and Dutch Defence Vehicle Systems.[1] The Turkish company FNSS Defence Systems acquired the right for licence production in 2004.[2][3][4] It was developed for both the German Army and Royal Netherlands Army to replace their current vehicles.

History[]

In April 2000, the prototype vehicle finished field trials and in December 2001 a combined order was placed. The Royal Netherlands Army ordered 410 (202 reconnaissance, 130 MRAT (medium range antitank) and 78 general purpose versions) and the German Bundeswehr ordered 222 (178 reconnaissance, 24 combat engineer and 20 joint fire support teams (JFST)). More Fenneks for the German Army will be procured from 2015 on. Germany plans an overall purchase of approximately 300 Fenneks. The first vehicle was delivered to the Netherlands in July 2003[5] and the first to Germany in December of the same year. Deliveries will continue until 2011 (additional orders for the German Army are planned from 2015 on).

The Dutch SP Aerospace company, which produced the Fennek for the Dutch military, was declared bankrupt in August 2004. A new company called Dutch Defence Vehicle Systems (DDVS)[6] was created to continue the production of the vehicles for the Royal Netherlands Army.

Specifications[]

The Fennek has four wheels with selectable two or four wheel drive. It has a Deutz diesel engine producing 179 kW, giving it a top speed of 115 km/h. Tire pressure can be regulated by the driver from inside the vehicle to suit terrain conditions.

The primary mission equipment is an observation package mounted on an extendable mast. Sensors include a thermal imager, daylight camera and a laser rangefinder. Combined with the vehicle's GPS and inertial navigation system the operator can accurately mark targets or points of interest and pass that data to the digital battlefield network. The sensor head of the observation package can also be removed and mounted on a tripod for concealed operation, as can the control unit from the vehicle should the crew want to use the entire system dismounted.[7] Many Fenneks of the German Army are also equipped with Aladin miniature UAVs.

Various weapons can be fitted, such as a 12.7 mm machine gun for the Dutch reconnaissance version, a Rafael Spike anti-tank missile on the Dutch MRAT version or a 40 mm automatic grenade launcher (HK GMG) or Rheinmetall MG3 for the German vehicles. The Royal Netherlands Army also placed an order at the Turkish company ASELSAN for 18 Raytheon Stinger surface-to-air missile launchers to be fitted on the Fennek. The launcher in this case is the Stinger Weapon Platform (SWP), with four Stinger missiles intended for mid-range air defence. The launcher can be controlled from on board the vehicle, or else remotely as part of a distributed air defense system. On the Dutch Fennek the primary weapon is the 12.7 mm machine gun.

The vehicle is protected all-round against 7.62 mm rounds and additional armour can be added if the mission requires. The air conditioning system provides protection against nuclear, biological and chemical warfare and the crew compartment is protected against anti-personnel mines.[8]

Operational history[]

Both Germany and the Netherlands have deployed Fennek reconnaissance vehicles to Afghanistan in support of ISAF.[9] On the 3rd of November, 2007, a Dutch Fennek was hit by an improvised explosive device killing one and wounding two other occupants. The vehicle and its crew were taking part in an offensive operation targeting the Taliban in the province of Uruzgan, Afghanistan.[10] In another incident a German Fennek was hit by a rocket-propelled grenade.[11] Its hollow charge jet penetrated the vehicle through the right front wheel rim, passed through the vehicle and blew the left door off the hinge. Thanks to the spall liner the crew sustained only negligible injuries.

Operators[]

Map of Fennek operators in blue

Current operators[]

Future operators[]

Gallery[]

See also[]

"Combat Reconnaissance/Patrol Vehicle" with rear engine:

Others:

References[]

  1. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2 February 2017. Retrieved 23 June 2019.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  2. ^ "Cooperation between Krauss-Maffei Wegmann, Germany and FNSS,Turkey for the licensed production of the FENNEK vehicle in Turkey". defense-aerospace.com. defense-aerospace.com. Archived from the original on 26 September 2015. Retrieved 25 September 2015.
  3. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 4 May 2014. Retrieved 4 May 2014.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  4. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 14 February 2014. Retrieved 4 May 2014.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  5. ^ Fennek Delivery Details
  6. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2 February 2017. Retrieved 23 June 2019.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  7. ^ "Fennek Observation Details". Archived from the original on 11 March 2009. Retrieved 9 July 2009.
  8. ^ "Fennek Self Protection Details". Archived from the original on 11 March 2009. Retrieved 9 July 2009.
  9. ^ FENNEK Highly protected vehicle family Archived 28 October 2007 at the Wayback Machine Krauss-Maffei Wegmann & Co. KG
  10. ^ First Fennek Lost in IED Attack Archived 21 May 2011 at the Wayback Machine AVIATION WEEK, 11/5/2007
  11. ^ Rocket Propelled Grenade Attack Details
  12. ^ "Großgerät der Bundeswehr". Bundeswehr.de (in German). Berlin: German Armed Forces. 22 October 2015. Archived from the original on 21 November 2015. Retrieved 12 November 2015.
  13. ^ "Fennek-verkenningsvoertuig". Defensie.nl (in Dutch). Dutch Ministry of Defence. Archived from the original on 29 September 2015. Retrieved 12 November 2015.
  14. ^ Nkala, Oscar. "Germany approves export of military vehicles, small arms to Algeria". Defenceweb. Archived from the original on 20 December 2016. Retrieved 12 November 2015.

External links[]

Retrieved from ""