As once again shown earlier this year, when Ukrainian forces assaulted the entrenched Russian positions mines and obstacles, when properly emplaced and covered by fires, present one of the most challenging and difficult military operations.
Minefields, Dragons-teeth, and anti-tank ditches both slow the momentum and restrict free movement of the attacker channelizing him and increasing his exposure to effective enemy fires. Machines capability of neutralizing these limiting obstacles are of critical importance and are invaluable assets to any ground force seeking to gain the initiative and take the fight to its opponent.
Rheinmetall on August 14, 2024, demonstrated in a live field environment at the Bergen military training area its latest solution to these challenges in its Keiler Next Generation armoured breaching system.
The Keiler NG demonstrated employs the chassis of the Leopard 2 Main Battle Tank (MBT) family chassis of the Kodiak armoured engineer vehicle. Thus, it reflects comparable mobility and similar protected survivability to the MBT units that it is likely to need to operate with. This association with an already widely in service system also offers favourable maintenance, logistics support, and training influence benefits.
Kinetic minefield breaching is provided by the Plofadder from Rheinmetall Denel Munition. Two of these rocket-propelled explosive line-charges are carried on the back deck of the Keiler. These are launched forward into the minefield by the two-man crew from within the armoured protection. Remotely detonated their blast will clear a path 160 metres long and nine metres wide through mine and obstacles.
A mine-plow provided by the United Kingdom’s Pearson-Engineering is fitted to assure the safety of the cleared path, as well as, to push aside shallow or shallow-emplaced mines. A magnetic signature duplicator on the Keiler is also provided that will remotely detonate second-generation mines forward of their contact with the plough. The mine-plow can be rapidly replaced in minutes due to a quick-mounting/dismounting feature by an earth-moving blade, also from Pearson.
In this configuration the Keiler NG can fill ditches and remove other obstacles like razor-wire, dragon-teeth and expedient blockages such as downed trees. It also allows for digging entrenchments and earthen positions.
To assure safe passage of vehicles following the breacher through the cleared lane Keiler is equipped with an integrated lane marking system. The system automatically emplaces pole markers along both edges of the created lane. These are clearly obvious even in darkness or limited visibility.
The vehicle is further equipped with an integrated crane that is used to load the Plofadder modules, as well as, lifting and removing barriers.
Self-defence is provided by a Natter 12.7 mm equipped machine gun in a remotely controlled weapon station (RWS). In addition, it is provided with the ROSY rapid obscurant system which can project a multi-spectral screen forward of the vehicle on command. Fitting of active-protection systems is also possible to further enhance the vehicles survivability.
In addition, Keiler NG is compatible with remote-controlled operation technologies. These allow breaching to be conducted without a crew on-board.
The capabilities provided in the Keiler NG can be offered in either a new build on a Leopard 2 chassis or provide as a kit that can be fit to existing fielded Kodiak armoured engineer vehicles.
by Stephen W. Miller
