BW – Spähwagen Fennek 1A1

Spähwagen Fennek 1A1

Beginning in 1993, the Fennek Reconnaissance Vehicle was developed. The handover of the first reconnaissance vehicle to the GermanArmour School in Munster took place on 10 December 2003. Up till 2007, the Bundeswehr had fielded 178 Fennek. Four Fennek Artillery Observer Vehicles, which were fielded beginning in April 2004, were reconfigured into Reconnaissance Vehicles in the meantime. According to current plans, the vehicle will remain in use until 2027.

The vehicle features a welded, self-supporting hull made of aluminum alloy. In order to protect the three-man crew, the entire crew compartment of Bundeswehr versions was armoured against 7.62mm armour-piercing rounds according to STANAG 4569 Level 3. This was accomplished by installing thicker armoured-glass windows and composite armour plates on the outside of the vehicle. The heart of the Reconnaissance Vehicle is the extendable observation and reconnaissance platform with an integrated eye-safe laser rangefinder, OPHELIOS thermal-imaging system and a CCD daysight camera. The prominent but nondescript sensor head can rise to a height of 3.38m. Therefore, the vehicle has the ability, using natural and manmade cover, to observe terrain via the BAA from a concealed position.

For self-defence, all Fennek Reconnaissance Vehicles are armed with a 40mm x 53 AGL as the primary weapon. If necessary, a 7.62mm x 51 MG3A1T can also be mounted. The manual 360° Type 1530 overhead weapon station can be elevated from -10° to +40° and controlled from under armour whilst protected against NBC agents. Starting in 2021, 116 vehicles will get a combat capability upgrade by equipping them with the gun carriage adapted fire control unit LAZ 400L. This consists of a high-resolution colour daylight camera, a powerful thermal imaging device and an eye-safe laser rangefinder. The radio equipment consists of two SEM 80/90 VHF radios, an HRM 7400 HF radio and a portable SEM 52 SL VHF radio.

Download PDF file with sample photos

Publication about the Fennek Family of Vehicles

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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