User:EndlessUnknown/Boxer

The Boxer is a German-Dutch multirole armoured fighting vehicle designed to accomplish a number of operations through the use of installable mission modules. It is produced by the ARTEC GmbH (ARmoured vehicle TEChnology) industrial group, and the programme is being managed by OCCAR (Organisation for Joint Armament Cooperation). ARTEC GmbH is seated in Munich, its parent companies are Krauss-Maffei Wegmann and Rheinmetall on the German side, and Rheinmetall Nederland for the Netherlands. In Germany the Boxer is also known as GTK (Gepanzertes Transport Kraftfahrzeug; armoured transport vehicle) Boxer, an alternative name used in the Netherlands is MRAV for Multirole Armoured Vehicle.

History
The Boxer is the result of a European joint venture, which was initialized in 1994, after a number of European countries saw the need for a heavier armoured personnel carrier for future operations. At the beginning only France and Germany were part of the joint procurement programme, but a year later the UK decided to cooperate with them. In 1996 concepts studies of 6×6 and 8×8 wheeled vehicles were made and two Franco-German-British consortia were competing for a contract. The Netherlands became observers of the program in 1997. In April of 1998 it was announced that the ARGE GTK with their Boxer won the competition, after being tested against the French GIAT VBCI. A 6x6 prototype of the Boxer was by the ARGE GTK on their own expense. Following this, the French government decided to leave the program in September of 1999, which resulted in the UK and the FRG signing a bilateral contract. At the same time the joint-venture company ARTEC was founded by Rheinmetall, KMW and Alvis Ltd. In February of 2001 the Netherlands decided to become a full partner in the Boxer program. The production of the first prototype of the Boxer started in the same year.

The first German Boxer prototype was delivered in December of 2002. Following this it was ready for trials and tests in 2003. In July 2003, shortly after the start of the Iraq war, the UK Ministry of Defence announced its intention to withdraw from the Boxer programme and focus on the Future Rapid Effect System (FRES). Until 2003 the company Alvis Ltd. was part of ARTEC. Each partner in the programme (including the UK) was to receive four prototypes by July 2004. The first prototype was delivered to Germany in 2002 and underwent evaluation trials in Germany. The first Dutch prototype was delivered in October 2003. Serial production deliveries originally were scheduled to commence in 2004, but the numerous design changes and political problems delayed production until 2008.

The Netherlands requires around 400 Boxers, to replace the M577 and the support variants of the YPR-765 in the Royal Netherlands Army, with the Netherlands having already confirmed the procurement of 200 vehicles in autumn of 2006. The infantry fighting vehicle versions of the YPR-765 will be replaced by the CV9035.

So far, about 600 Boxers are planned for the German Army. On September 23rd, 2009, the first Boxer was officially handed over to the German Federal Office of Defence, Technology and Procurement (BWB).

In 2006	the Boxer APC in the modified German configuration and the Boxer Ambulance in the Dutch version were presented on the Eurosatory defense expo in Paris. In the December of the same year the contract for the series production was signed. The serial production was started in 2008. In the same year the reliability growth trials were finished after some 90,000 km driving. In September 2009 the first series vehicle of the Boxer was finished. The Boxer was trialed in Australia and the United Arab Emirates during 2010. In December of 2010 the first German Boxer command post vehicle was delivered. In May 2011 the Boxer became operational with the German Army, which deployed the Boxer APC into Afghanistan in August 2011. The Boxer command post and ambulance vehicles were first deployed in 2012.

In June 2007, the Boxer was being considered for the British FRES programme.

Combat history
The German army deployed a total of 38 Boxer vehicles in Afghanistan as part of ISAF. The armoured personnel carrier, command post and ambulance version were used in Afghanistan during 2011 and 2014. The Boxer were modified to the A1 standard, which includes a raise of the FLW-200 RWS by 20 cm, an additional armour kit against EFP-IEDs and a desert camouflage pattern.

Design




The Boxer is an eight-wheeled multirole vehicle, easily dwarfing most contemporary vehicles with its size. At 33 ton combat weight, it is also about 10 tons heavier than many other contemporary vehicles within the same role. It is designed to carry out a variety of utility missions with maximum flexibility; this is achieved via several different "mission modules" specialized for various tasks which are available separately from the vehicle. The base vehicle is independent of the modules, and modules can be interchanged within an hour. Each module incorporates a primary safety cell with a triple floor.

Armament
Most Boxers are equipped with a remote weapon station for self-defense. The German vehicles are usually fitted with the FLW-200 from KMW, which can be fitted with either a 7.62 mm MG3 machine gun, a 12.7 mm M3M HMG or a 40 mm GMW automatic grenade launcher. The FLW-200 has dual-axis stabilization and incorporates a laser rangefinder and a thermal imager. Dutch vehicles are fitted with the Protector M151 RWS from Kongsberg.

As possible firepower upgrade KMW has developed the FLW-200+ and presented it mounted ontop of a Boxer APC at Eurosatory 2012. The FLW-200+ allows the usage of a 20 mm autocannon like the Rheinmetall Rh 202 with 100 rounds loaded at the gun. The RWS is two-axis stabilized and is fitted with a CCTV camera, thermal imager and laser rangefinder.

A number of different turrets has been offered for the IFV mission modules. Variants fitted with the turret of the German SPz Puma, the Lance modular turret system from Rheinmetall or the Lance RC turret have been shown. These turrets are usually fitted with a 30 mm autocannon, a modern fire control system with hunter-killer capabilities and provide provisions for the adoption of anti-tank missiles.

Protection
The Boxer is constructed from rolled steel plates. Ontop of the steel, AMAP composite armour is fitted with shock-proof mounting bolts. At some places the armour is fitted in a spaced armour configuration. The armour consists of ceramic tiles, composite materials and different types of metal alloys. According to the manufacturer the AMAP-B ballistic protection, AMAP-IED anti-IED armour and the AMAP-M mine protection are installed on the Boxer. The Boxer's armour is all-round resistant to 14.5 mm armour-piercing ammunition in accordance with STANAG 4569 Level 4. The frontal arc of the vehicle has increased armour protection against medium caliber ammunition at least in accordance with STANAG 4569 Level 5. The roof armour of the Boxer is designed to withstand artillery fragments and bomblets.

To increase the survivability in case of armour penetration, the crew compartment is completely covered by an AMAP-L spall liner. The spall liner stops most of the fragments of the armour and projectile. The Boxer's design has improved accoustic stealth into mind and reduces thermal and radar signature.

The Boxer is protected against anti-vehicle mines and large improved explosive devices (IEDs) with heavy blast even at short distances. The floor of the Boxer is multi-layered This allows the Boxer to meet at least the STANAG 4569 Level 4a requirements of mine-protections. The seats in the Boxer are decoupled from the floor, which prevents the shock of a mine-detonation to be directly directed onto the crew. Provisions to mount additional passive or reactive armour have been incorporated into the Boxer's design. The design of the Boxer allows also to integrate an active protection system.

Mobility
The Boxer is built with a high degree of standardization, and designed to be maintained easily and efficiently. It is capable of being air transported in the future A400M tactical airlifter.

Known mission modules



 * Ambulance vehicle
 * The ambulance vehicle has a higher roof, which increases the armoured volume to 17.5 m³ and the floor-to-roof height to 1.85 m. The vehicle carries a crew of three and up to seven seated or 3 scretcher casualties. The German Army and the Royal Netherlands Army operate two different versions, which both offer the same level of protection as the basic Boxer version.


 * Armoured engineer vehicle
 * Armoured personnel carrier
 * The Boxer APC carries a crew of three (driver, commander and gunner) and eight dismounts. It has NBC protection and an air-conditioning unit. The engine compartment is equipped with an automatic fire extinguishing system.


 * Battle damage repair vehicle
 * The battle damage repair vehicle carries a crew of two (driver, commander) and two technicans. The vehicle is also carrying the technical equipment to repair and maintain other vehicles under combat conditions.


 * Cargo vehicle
 * The cargo variant


 * Command post vehicle
 * A command post version


 * Diver training vehicle
 * The German Army has ordered a total of ten driver training vehicles. These are equipped with a driver training module, but behave like the basic armoured personnel carrier. Two crew members (instructor and examiner) are located in a cabin with large windows, while the driver and two other crew members are located on the normal positions. The instructor has a controls,displays, brakes and pedals like the driver.


 * HEL carrier vehicle
 * Boxer fitted with high energy laser from Rheinmetall, able to shoot down small UAVs, mortar and artillery ammunition, and aswell able to ignite ammunition in ground vehicles. A first prototype was presented at during a live presentation in Switzerland in 2013. The same prototype was presented on the DSEI 2015 expo in London. The Boxer HEL vehicle designated "Mobile HEL Effector Wheel XX" can be fitted with a 5 kW and a 10 kW laser effector.


 * Infantry fighting vehicle
 * The Boxer IFV carries a remotely controlled or two-man LANCE turret with a stabilized 30 mm MK30-2/ABM and a coaxial machine gun. The turret can traverse 360° and the gun can be elevated from -10° to +45°. The Boxer IFV has hunter-killer capability. The Boxer IFV has a crew of three and carries six dismounts, although on Eurosatory 2010 a version fitted with a Puma turret carrying up to eleven people could be seen. Optionally the Boxer IFV can be fitted with anti-tank guided missiles, different protection kits and and IFF system.


 * Self propelled anti-air gun
 * A demonstrator of the Boxer with Skyshield turret with 35 mm revolver gun and modern targeting systems was presented on the Eurosatory

A prototype of
 * 120 mm mortar carrier

Operators
German Army - Royal Netherlands Army -
 * Current operators

Lithuanian Army
 * Future and pending

Variants
A1 A2

Gallery

 * Vehicle exterior:

Comparable vehicles

 * VBM Freccia
 * Patria AMV