|
Background — Close Combat Vehicle — PSM
(KMW/RLS) Puma |
|
Small Cat Companion for the Leopard 2
Once mooted as front-runner for the CCV contest, the German SPz Puma looks like yet another conventional
IFV but it's not. The Puma 'turret' is unmanned (the crew being safely ensconced with the hull with
the 'dismounts'). Appearances aside, that 'turret' is more accurately described as a remote weapon
station. The goal is a simple mounting to facilitate future variants while maximizing interior space and crew
protection.[1]
|
|
|
Schutzstufe – Instant Armour Upgrade Modules
The Puma's basic armour affords protection from heavy machinegun fire and mine blast (up to 10kg)
while still being air-transportable in the anticipated A400M.
Uparmouring is accomplished with add-on flank/turret/top cover modules of mixed composite and spaced armour.
The hull side/track covers also serve to better protect [2] external fuel tanks. [3] A better protected vehicle in
this weight class is hard to envision. As always, any advantage has cost.[4]
|
|
|
|
|
PSM (KMW / RLS)
Puma CCV Candidate Specifications
| Crew: |
3 (driver, gunner, vehicle cdr.) + 6
dismounts |
Armament:
|
30 mm MK30-2/ABM automatic main gun, 1 x
5.56mm HK MG4, 10 x 76mm launcher tubes |
| Size: |
Length 7.4m, width 3.7m (class C), height
3.1m |
| Weight: |
31.5 tonnes (class A), 40.7 tonnes
(class C) |
| Powerplant: |
800 kW MTU V10 892, Renk HSWL 256 auto |
| Performance: |
Maximum speed 70 km/h, range 600 km |
|
|
|
The Puma is to replace the Bundeswehr's earlier Schützenpanzer, the SPz Marder in late 2009. Canada was rumoured to be the
first Puma export customer. Such a choice would provide the CF with the very latest in armoured vehicle
technology (and ideal companions for the Leopard
2A6M tanks) but being 'early adopters' also comes with inherent risk. There's no right answer. Those risks must
be weighed and a decision made.
|
|
|
[1] All Tropco tractors are equipped for add-on armour. Plasan Sasa supplied 56 ballistische beschermingskits
or 'ballistic protection kits' which bolt to the standard cabin. Normal Tropco crew is two but the
DAF Space Cab sleeper bunk converts into seats for two more crew.
[2] The main fuel tanks are outside of the hull but protected by armour. These tanks feed an internal collector tank.
If a main tank is holed, remaining fuel can be pumped to the collector. If both main tanks are punctured, the
collector acts as a reserve, to allow the Puma to retire.
[3] The armour panels are by IBD Deisenroth Engineering, like the MEXAS panels on uparmoured CF Leopards and
deployed LAVs. The 'basic' Puma is fitted with IBD's AMAP-B (for Class A protection levels), the
uparmoured panels are AMAP-SC (for Class C protection).
[4] With its 800 kW engine and 31.5 t weight, the Puma has a power/weight ratio of 25.4 kW/tonne.
By comparison, the MTVL (stretched TLAV) has a 298 kW diesel and weighs 18.1 t for a power/weight ratio of 14.91
kW/tonne (261 kW, 16.95 t LAV III is similar with a power/ weight 15.4 kW/t ). In other words, the Puma would be a
brisk performer but only by using a thirsty engine almost three times as powerful.
|
|
