Germany’s Rheinmetall conducts live demonstration of Keiler armored breaching system

Europe, News August 20, 2024 , by IRIA No Comments

3 minute read

Rheinmetall conducted a live demonstration of its Keiler Next Generation (NG) armored breaching system at the Bergen military training area in northern Germany. The event, attended by around 100 international guests from the armed forces, procurement authorities, and the defense industry, highlighted the advanced technology and robust design of this highly protected vehicle.

The Keiler NG, an evolution of the Kodiak armored engineering vehicle, made a powerful impression with its ability to rapidly clear minefields and other battlefield obstacles.

In the first part of the demonstration, the Keiler NG utilized its Pearson mine plow, a formidable tool over four meters wide, to create mine lanes at an astounding speed of up to 250 meters per minute. This mine plow can be swiftly replaced with a dozer blade, enabling the vehicle to clear anti-tank obstacles, fill trenches, and prepare positions as needed.

The demonstration’s centerpiece was the second serial, where the Keiler NG employed the rocket-assisted ‘Plofadder’ detonation cord system from Rheinmetall Denel Munition. This system can create a breach 160 meters long and nine meters wide in minefields and obstacles within minutes. The Keiler NG’s two Plofadder systems, fired in overlapping bursts, proved capable of overcoming even the most formidable enemy mine barriers.

“The ability to clear minefields with such speed and efficiency, combined with the versatility to handle a range of battlefield obstacles, makes the Keiler NG a game-changer,” said a Rheinmetall representative at the event.

*^{Keiler Next Generation armored breaching system. (Image Credit: Rheinmetall)}*

Beyond its breaching capabilities, the Keiler NG is equipped with several other advanced features. The vehicle includes a magnetic signature duplicator designed to detonate second-generation mines ahead of the plow, ensuring the safety of its crew and following forces. An integrated lane marking system allows for the clear identification of safe paths, even under limited visibility or night conditions.

The Keiler NG also boasts significant self-protection features, including the ROSY rapid obscurant system and Rheinmetall’s Natter 12.7 mm remotely controlled weapon station. This level of protection is complemented by the potential for remote-controlled deployment, which has been integrated into the vehicle’s design concept, along with provisions for an active protection system.

Weighing 63 tonnes, the Keiler NG maintains impressive mobility, with a top speed of 65 km/h, the ability to climb obstacles up to 90 cm, negotiate gradients of 60%, and cross trenches wider than 2.5 meters. The vehicle’s chassis, derived from the Leopard 2 main battle tank, ensures compatibility with existing logistics and training systems, as well as the possibility of retrofitting Kodiak AEVs into the Keiler NG configuration.

First presented to the public at the Eurosatory 2024 trade fair in Paris, the Keiler NG is poised to enhance battlefield engineering capabilities for modern armed forces. As Rheinmetall continues to innovate in military technology, the Keiler NG represents a significant advancement in armored breaching systems.