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Boxer Combat Reconnaissance Vehicle, Boxer CRV

Boxer Combat Reconnaissance Vehicle firing its Rosy smoke/obscurant protection system

The Australian Boxer Combat Reconnaissance Vehicle (CRV) is a modified version of the Boxer IFV, developed to meet the requirements of the Australian Army.

In July 2016,  Rheinmetall announced that the Boxer CRV was 1 of 2 vehicles (the other is the Patria AMV35) selected to take part in the 12-month Risk Mitigation Activity for the Australian Army’s “Land 400 Phase 2” combat reconnaissance vehicle program.

The Boxer IFV is a member of the Artec Boxer Family, which is a modular 8×8 Fighting-Vehicle in service with the armies of Germany, Lithuania and the Netherlands. The use of modular components and the Boxers excellent mobility, ensures future growth potential in upgradablity and survivability.

The Boxer CRV uses the Rheinmetall two-man Lance Turret with a number of optional modular sub-systems. Since 2011, the Lance Turret has been used on the Spanish Marine Corps Piranha IIIC 8×8 Fighting Vehicles.

Boxer Combat Reconnaissance Vehicle Timeline

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.

Phase 2 concentrates on a replacement for the ageing ASLAV. Initially operated by the 2nd Cavalry Regiment and 2/14 Light Horse Regiment, the ASLAV is based on the LAV-25 (LAV II) and has been in service with the RAAC since 1995, predominantly in the reconnaissance role.

The highest priority for Army is to replace the ASLAV fleet due to obsolescence factors. These can restrict its deployment and increase the cost of ownership. These obsolescence factors cannot be fixed through an upgrade and without a replacement by 2020, the Army will have a capability gap.

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. In July 2016, the AMV35 and the Boxer CRV were selected as the 2 vehicles to take part in the 12-month Risk Mitigation Activity.

Boxer Combat Reconnaissance Vehicle Firepower

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 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 SEOSS Commanders Independent Sight, in addition to the electro-optical SEOSS Sector 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 trialled Boxer CRV, currently have a Remote Weapon Station mounted on the turret roof. A dual ATGM launching pod has also been featured on the left side of the turret in some vehicle presentations.

Boxer Combat Reconnaissance Vehicle Protection

Boxer Combat Reconnaissance Vehicle aka Boxer CRV

Boxer Combat Reconnaissance Vehicle aka Boxer CRV

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.

The trialled Boxer CRV has featured 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).

Boxer Combat Reconnaissance Vehicle 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..

Boxer Combat Reconnaissance Vehicle 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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