TILLER SYSTEMS HEAVY TILLER MINEBREAKER 2000/2

Transcription

1 TILLER SYSTEMS HEAVY TILLER MINEBREAKER 2000/2 Flensburger Fahrzeugbau GmbH (FFG) Federal Republic of Germany GENERAL DESCRIPTION The Minebreaker 2000/2 is based on a Leopard 1 chassis. A rotating tiller drum is mounted at the front of the vehicle. The tiller is designed to detonate or break up mines. The manufacturer claims that the tiller unit will withstand detonations from common types of AP and AV mines. With its main battle tank chassis, the Minebreaker 2000/2 has good all-terrain capability. The crew compartment is protected by 20 mm steel armour and 70 mm glass, and blast-pressure-decreasing shock absorbers. The chassis and tilling drum are powered hydraulically by a multi-pump transfer gear. Hydrostatic drive gives the Minebreaker a cruising speed of 4 km/h and a working speed of up to 20 metres per minute. The Minebreaker 2000/2 is controlled by two joysticks: one to steer the vehicle and the other to adjust the clearance depth. Operator training is uncomplicated. The tilling drum is fitted with removable tungsten steel teeth which can be replaced when worn or broken. The tiller unit is of a modular design and can be fitted to other prime movers such as T55, T64, M48, M60 and Leopard 2. MINEBREAKER 2000/2 124

2 CLEARANCE METHODOLOGY The front-mounted tilling drum with tungsten steel teeth rotates anti-clockwise in order to hit the mines from below, preventing the possibility of them being compacted into the ground. The teeth should detonate or break up mines. During testing and evaluation, Minebreaker achieved a clearance rate of 1.5 to 2 hectares per day over soil in temperate regions. As part of normal operation, vegetation and tripwires are removed. MACHINES IN USE TO DATE Currently there are three machines in use: > One system was purchased by South Korea in September 2000 to demine the inner-korean border. > One system owned by FFG is working in Bosnia and Herzegovina on behalf of the German Foreign Office, in cooperation with local entity forces and the German NGO Demira. With interruptions, this system has been in use since > One system was purchased by the German Armed Forces and deployed to Afghanistan in August 2002 to support ISAF operations. The machine is still in service and has cleared significant areas at Bagram airbase and Kabul airport. According to the manufacturer and the German Armed Forces, the machine cleared more than 1,000 landmines, including AV mines. ENGINE, FUEL AND OIL Minebreaker 2000/2 runs on ordinary diesel fuel. Hydraulic fluid should be checked and if necessary changed every 2,000 running hours. Fuel consumption varies with different applications from 60 to 100 litres per hour. FACTORY SUPPORT The Leopard tank has seen long service in the German Army and numerous other countries. Extensive data is available on the performance of the Minebreaker chassis. The tiller unit s hydraulic system uses standard components which are widely available. FFG offers logistical support, training and supply of spare parts in the purchase price. Long-term projects can be provided with a mobile workshop. Operating instructions are currently available in German, English, Croat and Mandarin. The standard warranty covers six months or 500 running hours, whichever comes first, but warranty terms are negotiable. 125

3 TILLER SYSTEMS HEAVY TILLER MINEBREAKER 2000/2 MINEBREAKER 2000/2 MAINTENANCE AND SUPPORT One-year service support, on-site technical support once a month and 24-hour callout can be ordered. FFG offers logistical support and spares service for the system whether purchased or rented. Training and user handbooks describe daily checks to be carried out. Operators are trained in all aspects of system maintenance. Specialist tools are incorporated into purchasing separately. For long-term operations, a mobile workshop is recommended. MINEBREAKER 2000/2 Result of clearing activities 126

4 TESTS AND EVALUATIONS The Minebreaker was tested on live anti-tank mines by the Landmine Clearance Test Facility WTD 51, Germany, in August The test report (referenced below) said: The Minebreaker system cleared the following AT mines: three DM 21, one TM 62 and one TM 57. The driver is sufficiently protected in the vibration proof driver cabin (up to 7 kg TNT) as far as the mines explode inside the tiller s working area The damage that occurred during the trials can be assessed as small. Three test reports are available at the website 1. BRTRC Technology Research Cooperation, Area Mine Clearing System (AMCS), Study Report, by US Army Project Manager for Close Combat Systems (PM - CCS), 2002: 2. Theimer (TRAR), Summary Report MINEBREAKER, by Landmine Clearance Test Facility, WTD 51, 2002: 3. Theimer (TRAR), Summary Report MINEBREAKER 2, by Landmine Clearance Test Facility, WTD 51, 2002: REPORTED LIMITATIONS AND STRENGTHS Limitations > Large, heavy machine difficult to transport. > Difficult mobility in countries where road infrastructure is poor. Strengths > Powerful engine. > Tiller system will clear vegetation and tripwires as it clears mines. > For use in AP and AV minefields. 127

5 TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS MINEBREAKER 2000/2 DIMENSIONAL DATA 1. Length without attachment 2. Length total 3. Width without attachment 4. Width total 5. Clearing Working width 6. Height Overall 7. Mass Basic vehicle 8. Mass Detachable unit(s) 9. Mass Overall 10,940 mm 3,250 mm 4,510 mm 3,690 mm 3,310 mm 33,500 kg 13,500 kg 47,000 kg OPERATIONAL DATA 10. Wheels Tracks (description) 11. Ground Bearing Pressure (kpa) 12. Hill climbing ability 13. Number of Chains Chisels Tools 14. Beat pattern (hits per m 2 ) at different operating speeds 15. Length of Chains Tools 16. Diameter of drum 17. Rotation Speed 18. Clearance Working depth in varying terrain 19. Working Speed (m 2 /h) > Light Soil Medium Vegetation > Medium Soil Medium Vegetation > Heavy Soil Dense Vegetation 20. Control of Clearance Working depth 21. Additional attachable working tools 22. Armour 23. Remote controlled > greatest distance 24. Transportation > short distances > long distances > sea transport > air transport Tracks Diehl D 640 A 960 N/cm 2 50% 66 1,800 mm Up to 100 rpm 4,000 m 2 /h 2,400 m 2 /h 1,000 m 2 /h Mechanic No Original Leopard 1 chassis; cabin with 20 mm armoured steel and 70 mm protection glass Optional 1,000 m By road or deployed with trailer 128

6 SYSTEM STATUS AND DEPLOYMENT 25. Machines in use 26. Other types 27. Location of use 28. Totally cleared so far (m 2 ) 3 Minebreaker 2000 Afghanistan, BiH, Republic of Korea ENGINE FUEL OIL 29. Engine 30. Engine power at the flywheel 31. Sufficient power supplied to working tool 32. Fuel capacity 33. Fuel consumption 34. Separate engine for working unit 35. Cooling system 36. Oil capacity (both engines) 37. Hydraulic oil capacity (both engines) MTU MB 838 with 10 cylinders and 830 hp Hydrostatic transmission 940 l Max 100 l/h No COSTS 38. Cost of system 39. Other costs > training > spare part set chains belts > repair costs for one year 40. Availability for hire On request Usually included in the system price Yes OTHER 41. Operator comfort 42. Air conditioning A high degreee of comfort for the operator is achieved by using standard components (seat, instruments, etc.) from industry Yes 129