Tuesday, June 27, 2017

Boxer A2 is essentially a survivability upgrade...

Thanks to Jonathan for the link!


via Janes.
The upgrade will probably be undertaken through the Organisation for Joint Armament Cooperation (OCCAR), which manages the Boxer programme for Germany, in addition to Lithuania and the Netherlands.

The A2 standard includes a fire suppression system - which is intended to improve vehicle survivability in the event of a hull breach - and a driver vision system, consisting of an externally-mounted camera to enhance situational awareness. Additionally, the A2 standard includes a satellite communications system and increased ballistic protection.
A number of A2-configured Boxers have already been ordered for Germany as part of the EUR476 million (USD516.4 million) contract for 131 vehicles announced in December 2015. Although these are to be delivered by 2020, the first batch of 272 Boxer vehicles, ordered in 2006, includes a number in the A1 configuration requiring upgrading to the A2 configuration.

The first A2 vehicle was delivered on 18 June 2015 as part of the original order, with all vehicles delivered until this point in the A1 configuration, from when deliveries to the German Army began in September 2009. This clearance from the parliamentary budget committee paves the way for an OCCAR-managed contract to upgrade these A1 vehicles.
Interesting.  Why are they focusing on increased suvivability and not lethality with the upgrade?  This appears to be the current way ahead for many forces.  I don't know why.  I view the ability to hit the enemy before they hit you and destroy them in one shot (or a couple depending on caliber size) as the ultimate survivability feature.  Even if that view isn't shared then wouldn't an anti-missile/rocket system be more worthwhile.

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