Edição nº 195 - Exército

28 - Temas Gerais
means 12 machine cannon Wiesel). Additional we have in the Paratrooper
Battalion one dog platoon (search for persons/explosive ordnance)
and one special paratroopers platoon to prepare and secure
landing zones for the incoming paratroopers (this special platoon are
free fallers). For the Mountain Infantry Battalion the difference is not
serious, they have only one additional high-mountain platoon and
one mountain pack animal company for logistic support on alpine
operations.
The Commander of an Infantry Battalion is now able to
employ his forces supported by the heavy Company with various
intents on the battlefield:
••
Support combat op by quick reaction indirect fire weapons
(up to 6350 m) against area, point and single targets;
••
Engage with long range anti tank capacities (up to
3750 m):
––
to form point of main effort in anti tank issues;
––
to destroy hostile tanks and armored infantry fighting
vehicles;
––
to act against enemy behind strong fighting positions;
––
to engage helicopters;
––
to protect and screen the flanks;
••
Engage with machine cannons 20 mm by direct fire
(up to 1200 m):
––
to support and reinforce dismounted Infantry;
––
to fight against light and soft skinned vehicles;
––
to operate against enemy behind cover;
––
to act against low level airplanes;
••
Reconnaissance by recce platoon (up to 5000 m) - reconnoiter
and observe Battalion´s area of responsibility;
••
Ensure quick concentration and displacement of forces.
To break it down to an Infantry platoon, he is rather flexible
as such even without supporting elements (see picture 2). All weapons
in the sections have an effective radius of at least 200 m and
deliver precise fire. Under favourable conditions sufficient accuracy
is even provided out to 400 m. Some specifically qualified soldiers
in the sections can effectively engage targets out to 600 m with
selected weapons and in a favourable environment. The envisioned
effective radius, within which the section must hold its ground with
organic means and without any vehicle support, is 600 m. The weapons
are not optimised for specific operational scenarios, but are
designed to cover the entire target spectrum of an infantry section
within its effective radius. The core question is: what is required for
each soldier or the section in all scenarios
The platoon leader has some flexibility through optional
weapons to respond to the current threat. Additional flexibility is provided
by the transport capacity of the BOXER Armoured Transport
Vehicle, but the soldier‘s load, volume and training requirements are
still subject to tight limits. The individual infantryman must remain
a dismounted warrior rather than a mere weapons, optronics and
protective equipment carrier or operator. This is especially true in
difficult terrain and complex scenarios as for example in an urban
environment.
In the current operations, the infantryman‘s mobility is ensured
primarily by transport vehicles. These vehicles must allow the
soldiers to carry their equipment on board and to dismount fully
equipped for the mission. We will concentrate on the BOXER with his
10 soldiers; it is visible, that the infantry section comprises 2 fire teams,
the driver and the gunner stay in/at the vehicle. If they are dismounted
from the vehicle, each fire team is led by a sergeant. The different
weapons of one squad are viewable on the picture 2. It comprises 7
assault rifles, 2 light anti-tank weapons, 2 light machine guns, 2 grenade
launchers, 1 designated marksman rifle, 2 machine pistols more
a remote controlled weapon 200 with 12,7 mm or 40 mm.
The BOXER Multi-Role Armoured Vehicle (MRAV) has proven
successful on operations. The Boxer significantly adds to the
infantry capabilities and considerably influences the operational procedures
of the infantry platoons in certain scenarios. The BOXER
is not an infantry fighting vehicle and will not convert light infantry
forces into armoured infantry. The protected transport capacity and
the four remote-control weapon stations per platoon, however, will
offer additional options for various scenarios. It has to be underlined,
though, that the light infantry will continue to predominantly
conduct dismounted combat operations. Its organisational structure,
command and control, training and equipment will be tailored to this
role accordingly, and the potential of the BOXER will be an add-on
for extraordinary situations.
The Boxer is full integrated in the “Future Infantryman System”.
Further transport vehicles to be mentioned are the HÄGGLUND
used by the mountain infantry or the MUNGO Multi-Purpose Vehicle
used by the airborne infantry. Since the BOXER is initially fielded in
relatively small numbers, the FUCHS APC will continue to be in use.
The DINGO and the EAGLE (for snipers) employed as special-purpose
vehicles in the task forces will be the choice for the support
weapon platoons.
When the development process was launched and the military
requirements were defined some time ago, the premise for a
transport vehicle in a relatively secure area was “self-defence”. Today,
the Remote-Control Weapons Stations (Fernbedienbare leichte
Waffenstation) 100 and 200 are universal platforms for all protected
vehicles of the Bundeswehr. The experiences from the ISAF mission
produced the following premise: Wherever feasible and compliant
with technical regulations, the ambition is to equip the vehicles with
the heavier FLW 200 variant. There will be four BOXER in the infantry
platoon, two of them with mounted heavy machine guns 12, 7 mm,
the other two with automatic grenade launchers 40 mm.