BW – Pioniererkundungstrupp Wiesel 2
Pioniererkundungstrupp Wiesel 2
The light, air-transportable, armour-protected Engineer Reconnaissance Vehicle based on the Wiesel 2 was specially designed to meet the requirements of airborne and air assault engineer assets of the former Divisions for Specialised Operations and Heliborne Operations to allow them to execute effective engineer operations. Today the vehicles are used by the 1st Airborne Brigade of Division Rapid Forces. Among other tasks, the Wiesel 2 Engineer Reconnaissance Vehicle can serve as a command vehicle to coordinate engineer tasks.
In March 2001 the manufacturer handed over a prototype for troop trials. Until today, only nine vehicles have entered service. As far as command, mobility and armour protection are concerned, the vehicle was designed to allow close operations with combat assets. The vehicle was mainly designed for three different purposes: obstacle reconnaissance, explosive demolition operations and water obstacle reconnaissance. Depending on the given mission, the vehicle is equipped with either a priming machine kit for explosive demolition operations, or a rangefinder kit and rubber dinghy for water obstacle reconnaissance missions. Additional possible uses of the vehicle and its crew include construction of obstacles, or clearing and marking obstacles constructed by the enemy. The vehicle can also be used for reconnaissance tasks to detect enemy obstacles, to find suitable advance routes for friendly forces and to check out terrain ahead. The mine-searching and marking kit is stored in the crew compartment. The vehicle’s only armament is a 7.62mm x 51 MG3 mounted slightly to the right in front of the commander’s hatch. The communication equipment consists of an SEM 90 VHF radio. Optionally, another SEM 93VHF radio for voice and data communication can be installed. Besides a Rocky III+ notebook that links the vehicle with the FüInfoSysH, an AN/PSN-11 PLGR for navigation is available too.
| Crew: | 3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Vehicle Weight: | 4,300kg | |
| Military Load Classification: | 00 | |
| Length: | 4.23m | |
| Width: | 1.85m | |
| Height: | 2.11m | |
| Ground Clearance: | 0.30m | |
| Grade: | 60% | |
| Slope: | 30% |
Download PDF file with sample photos
Publication about the Wiesel 2 Armored Weapon Carrier
Yearbook – Armoured Vehicles of the Modern German Army 2018
Yearbook – Armoured Vehicles of the Modern German Army 2019
Yearbook – Armoured Vehicles of the Modern German Army 2020
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