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Rheinmetall Boxer IFV

Rheinmetall Boxer IFV with Lancer Turret
Rheinmetall Boxer IFV with Puma Turret

Rheinmetall Boxer IFV with Puma Turret

The Rheinmetall Boxer IFV (Infantry Fighting Vehicle) is a member of the 8×8 wheeled, Artec Boxer Family. Continuing with the Artec Boxers modular concept, the Boxer IFV has been fitted with x4 modular turrets.

Though not in service with the armies of Germany and the Netherlands, Lithuanian purchased 88 vehicles in August 2016. The Boxer IFV is also being trialled in Australia for the Project Land 400, a program that is seeking the replacement of the ageing ASLAV.

The Boxer Infantry Fighting Vehicle transports x6 infantry and features a modular type turret, armed commonly with a 30mm auto-cannon. This provides the infantry with potent fire support to engage enemy fighting vehicles, low flying attack helicopters or entrenched infantry. The Boxer IFV has been seen with x4 different turret systems.

Rheinmetall Boxer IFV Protection

The Boxer is designed to offer the maximum levels of protection against conventional and unconventional threats through its modular components. The use of a Drive Module and Mission Module in the Boxers design, creates a multi-layer floor and safety cell, for improved protection against IED/Mine attacks.

Just like the Patra AMV, the Boxer is a welded steel construction with sections of modular armor along the hull sides and front. The turret can be fitted with modular armor for enhanced protection if and when required.

These modular sections consist of external mounting points where ceramic passive armored plates are attached. These can be easily removed and replaced quickly on the battlefield if damaged.

The modular armor enables the Boxers protection to be upgraded (mission dependant) from Level 1 (7.62mm) to Level 6? (30mm AP) of STANAG 4569. The passive armor is normally mounted a few centimeters away from the hulls surface.

Additional safety features include; the ready-to-fire 200 rounds of 30x173mm ammunition are kept outside of the turrets crew compartment and all flammable liquid tanks are externally mounted of the main hull.

The crew are protected with internal spall liners and safety cells. The Boxer also features stealth-like technology for reducing Infa-Red and radar signatures. This was achieved through the use of decoupled and actively cooled plates on the front of the vehicle and the careful consideration of engine cooling.

Optional Rheinmetall systems include: Situational Awareness Systems (SAS), Laser Warning and the Rheinmetall “Rosy” smoke/obscurant protection system, which renders the vehicle invisible in the event of an attack (Soft-Kill Active Protection).

Rheinmetall Boxer IFV Mobility

The Boxer was designed to keep pace off-road with the Leopard 2 Main Battle Tank (Leopard 2A6), which is in service with both Germany and the Netherlands. This requirement is met when at full combat weight and whilst in extreme environments.

The  Boxer is powered by a V8, 720hp diesel engine and features independent suspension, offering future growth potential in the vehicles payload capability without loss of mobility.

The Boxer has a permanent 8×8 drive, central tyre inflation system and 27 inch run flat tyres..

Rheinmetall Boxer IFV Turrets

Lance Turret

The 2 man Rheinmetall Lance Turret is armed with the MK30-2 / ABM, 30mm auto-cannon. This has a duel feed capability and 200 ready to fire rounds are located in the turret (100 AP & 100 HE).

It has the latest state-of-the-art, fully digital fire control system with a 360 degree Commanders Independent Sight in addition to the Gunners Sight. This gives the Boxer IFV a “Hunter Killer Capability”. Both sights have a day and thermal channel, with an integrated laser range finder.

The 30x173mm ammunition is stored outside of the crew compartment of the turret for added protection. The turret can be fitted with modular armor for enhanced protection.

As well as the base version, a range of additional modular equipment can be integrated. A Situational Awareness System (SAS) and independent weapons station.

The 2 man Lance RC Turret is the most common Boxer IFV configuration marketed by Rheinmetall and is in service with the Spanish Marines Corps since 2011 on their Piranha IIIC 8×8 Fighting Vehicle.

Lance Modular Turret

The second version of the Lance turret, is the remote-controlled modular turret. Not seen that often, it is unmanned with the crew operating it remotely from within the Boxers hull. It has the same latest state-of-the-art, fully digital fire control system, auto-cannon and offers a range of additional modular equipment.

This version of the Lance turret can be identified by the protruding section on the right of the auto-cannon.

Puma Turret

The Puma is a new tracked Infantry Fighting Vehicle currently in production for the German Army. Just like the Boxer, its a joint venture between Rheinmetall and KMW, which is called “PSM“. The Boxer IFV has also been fitted with the Puma Turret.

Just like the Lance turret, the Puma Turret has state-of-the-art, fully digital fire control system and offers a range of additional modular equipment. Such as, modular armor, Spike ATGM missile launcher and has been photgraphed with different calibre auto-cannons.

SAMSON II Turret

The SAMSON II is the latest version of the SAMSON family of RWS by Israeli company Rafael. The SAMSON II features state-of-the-art, fully digital fire control system, modular armor up to STANAG 4569 Level 4, a Spike ATGM Launcher and the option to mount different auto-cannons from 20 to 40mm calibre.

Rheinmetall Boxer IFV Operators

Australia (Trialled)

Rheinmetall Boxer IFV Model – Boxer Combat Reconnaissance Vehicle (CRV)

Boxer Combat Reconnaissance Vehicle (CRV)

Model Page: Boxer Combat Reconnaissance Vehicle (Boxer CRV)

Project Land 400 is a program being run by the Australian Army that is not only seeking the replacement of current fighting vehicles in service, but to offer vehicles with improved firepower, protection, mobility and communication characteristics.

The Boxer Infantry fighting Vehicle is currently being trialled for the Australian Army In 2015 the “request for Tender” was released by the Australian Ministry Of Defence for Phase 2.

Several defence companies submitted their vehicles for consideration but in July 2016, the Patria/BAE Systems AMV35 and Artec enhanced Boxer were selected as the 2 vehicles to take part in the 12-month Risk Mitigation Activity.

Lithuania

Rheinmetall Boxer IFV Model – VILKAS Infantry Fighting Vehicle

VILKAS Infantry Fighting Vehicle

Model Page: VILKAS Infantry Fighting Vehicle

On the 11th of December 2015, the Boxer was declared the preferred bidder by the Lithuanian State Defence Council for the Lithuanian Infantry Fighting Vehicle Programme. On the 22nd of August 2016, OCCAR on behalf of the Republic of Lithuania and ARTEC signed a contract for the procurement of BOXER Infantry Fighting Vehicles.

The contract comprises the delivery of 88 BOXER vehicles in four Infantry Fighting Vehicle versions developed for Lithuania which will be called “VILKAS” within the Lithuanian Armed Forces.

The Infantry Fighting Vehicles will be equipped with the SAMSON II Remote Turret by Israeli company Rafael. It features a 30mm auto-cannon and an anti-tank missile launcher.

First Lithuanian Boxer vehicles will be delivered by the end of 2017. The BOXER vehicle will provide the Lithuanian Army on short-term with a state of the art, mechanised infantry capability.

Spain

Since 2011, the Lance Turret has been used on the Spanish Marine Corps Piranha IIIC 8×8 Fighting Vehicles.

Rheinmetall Boxer IFV Specifications

Firepower
Main Gun MK30-2 / ABM, 30mm auto-cannon
Secondary Weapons 7.62mm Coaxial MG
Ammunition Storage x600 30mm (200 in turret)
Mobility
Engine V8, 720hp, MTU 8V199 TE20 Diesel (Multi-Fuelled)
Transmission Allison HD4070 x7 speed Automatic
Top Road Speed 103 km/h
Suspension Type Independent
Road Range 1,050 km
Fuel Capacity unknown
Vertical Obstacle 0.8m
Water Capability Fording ?m
Trench Crossing 2m
Gradient 60%
Side Slope 30%
Dimensions
Length Gun Forward n/a
Length Hull 7.93m
Width 2.99m
Height 3.24m (turret roof)
Ground Clearance 0.5m
Weight upto 35 tonne combat weight
Protection
NBC Protected Yes
Armor Type Modular, Passive
Active Protection Systems Optional
Crew
Commander Yes
Gunner Yes
Loader No
Driver Yes
Additional Crew —
Troops Carried 6

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