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Appealing 

The Kolbenschmidt Pierburg 

group can look back on the IAA 2005, 

Frankfurt, with considerable satisfaction 

(details on pages 3,9+10). 

The latest news from the Rheinmetall Group 4/2005 

New standards 

Right on schedule, the German 

Army’s first Puma infantry fighting 

vehicle is set to roll out just before 

Christmas 2005 (pages 6–8). 

Initiative 

Leading German technology 

companies started a ground-breaking 

initiative with the Open Community 

interest group (pages 12–15). 

More than 200 guests were invited to join the Protective Shield presentation at Rheinmetall's proving ground in Unterlüß. 

Photo: Airbus Industrie 

RDE was selected 

for A400M system 

Bremen. Rheinmetall Defence 

Electronics GmbH (RDE) of Bremen 

has been awarded a major order to 

supply equipment for the new 

A400M military transport aircraft. 

Acting as subcontractor, the Bremen-based 

electronics specialist 

will be responsible for the complete 

Loadmaster Control System of 

the new military transport plane 

throughout the entire production 

phase. Under the currently envisaged 

volume of 180 aircraft, the 

value of the order comes to approximately 

€ 72 million in 2005. Overall, 

RDE expects the total value of 

this project – which is set to run for 

20 to 25 years – to be in the region 

of € 200 million (see page 5). 

RDE books order for the new Airbus. 

Live presentation at Rheinmetall's proving ground 

Protective Shield for 

threatened base camps 

Unterlüß. Over 200 guests invited to 

Rheinmetall’s proving ground in Unterlüß 

at the end of September 2005 were 

more than impressed by the capabilities 

of the new Protective Shield system. 

Representatives of the German 

military, the Federal Criminal Police Office, 

members of parliament and international 

delegations had gathered for 

the three-day presentation to find out 

more about the modular protection 

concept against asymmetric threats to 

the armed forces. The existing threats 

to base camps all over the world had 

prompted the decision to create a 

modular protection system that can be 

tailored to different scenarios. 

Klaus Eberhardt, chairman of the executive 

board of the Düsseldorf-based 

Rheinmetall group explained that the 

concept had been launched at the initiative 

of Rheinmetall using own funds, the 

aim being to close capability gaps. For 

the very first time, solutions and products 

from all areas of the group were 

networked and presented to experts on 

the occasion of the presentation of the 

overall system demonstrator. In the 

words of Eberhardt: “We have integrated 

existing technologies and have 

adopted a pragmatic approach; in other 

words we intend to offer our customers 

solutions that are available and not 

ideas that will take years to materialize.” 

Representatives from numerous military 

activities were given ample opportunity 

to examine the capabilities of the 

networked command and control, reconnaissance 

and effector systems. Live 

demonstrations were given of how messages 

from security installations are 

processed in the CIC – the heart of the 

Protective Shield – and how countermeasures 

are launched. The Protective Shield 

system was highly effective in every single 

exercise – be it when persons were 

approaching a fence monitored electronically 

by camera systems or when detecting 

snipers on the property by means of 

the Sniper Location System (see page 18). 

Photo: Christoph Schuhknecht

Composing: frei-stil 

Newsline 

Oerlikon Contraves GmbH: Go-ahead for further tests 

Corect project enters 

second project phase 

Stockach/Koblenz. Oerlikon Contraves 

GmbH (OCD) of Stockach was recently given 

the go-ahead by the German contracting 

authorities BWB to continue developing 

a demonstrator version of the Corect 

trajectory correction system for MLRS 

rockets. This second project phase which 

will be completed by the end of 2006 will 

be used to demonstrate the mode of operation 

of the entire system and the functional 

sequence for type M26 MLRS rockets 

(better known under the name of 

MARS in Germany). As outlined in an earlier 

article (see Newsline 1/2005), Corect 

(Contraves Rheinmetall Enhanced Correction 

of Trajectories) is a joint development 

of OCD as the prime contractor and Rhein- 

Corect – a GPS-based rocket guidance. 

metall Waffe Munition GmbH (RWM/ 

Ratingen). Corect is a module for GPSsupported 

trajectory correction of artillery 

rockets (see also article “Hit accuracy”). 

OCD boss Helmut Burckhardt on the 

BWB’s decision that will also impact positively 

on the future of the Stockach-based 

business: “The second phase of the contract 

covering three measurement campaigns 

will serve as a basis for the envisaged 

upgrade of the MLRS/Mars-M26 artillery 

rockets of the German army. Our 

Corect system will prove that existing rockets 

can be upgraded in order to extend 

their shelf and service life. Tests in this 

second contract phase will also demonstrate 

that our trajectory correction module 

meets the requirements for enhanced hit 

accuracy and higher maximum range.” 

Another important benefit: If the 

bomblet ammunition currently used in 

the M-26 artillery rockets is replaced by 

another type of ammunition or warhead 

variant, Corect will nonetheless warrant 

enhanced precision both in terms of 

range and hit accuracy. 

In the second test phase which will run 

until the end of next year a total of four 

special test rockets – plus a so-called 

measurement rocket – will be loaded to 

demonstrate Corect functions, and then 

subjected to firing tests at the test range 

in Meppen, Germany. OCD experts will be 

looking very critically at the correction potential 

and system precision during these 

tests. Added to this, the measured data 

from the flight tests will be used to update 

the simulation program for range computations. 

Burckhardt: “Another task will be 

to determine the time and budget price 

for series-productionization and actual 

series production at a later stage.” 

Corect is an important milestone for Oerlikon 

Contraves GmbH with its 120 employees 

and annual sales (2004) of € 38 

million. In the words of Burckhardt: “If this 

ambitious project materializes – as 

planned – this will naturally mean that 

jobs and capacities in certain parts of the 

company will be secured both during the 

development phase and (later) series production 

of the system.” Concrete measures 

for preparing series production 

should get under way in 2007, to be followed 

by actual series-production, then 

under the leadership of RWM. 

A brief look at existing stocks shows just 

how promising the Corect project of the 

two defence specialists Oerlikon Contraves 

GmbH and Rheinmetall Waffe Munition 

GmbH is. European NATO countries alone 

have 100,000 M26 rockets, all of which 

will ultimately have to be upgraded or 

have their service life extended. Even if 

the actual upgrade requirement is difficult 

to quantify at the present time, Helmut 

Burckhardt is convinced of the following: 

“Corect, the satellite-based module system 

for correcting artillery rocket trajectories, 

is unrivaled in the world and has met 

all the expectations of experts so far.” 

2 

Stockach. Corect is a module for 

satellite-based trajectory correction 

of artillery rockets. The advanced 

system will enhance the 

hit accuracy and maximum range 

of MLRS (Multiple Launch Rocket 

System) rockets of the type M26 

(with bomblet warhead) and AT-2 

(with mine dispersers) used by the 

German armed forces. At the same 

time, the introduction of the advanced 

Corect module which will 

be available as an integrated solution 

or as an add-on variant will also 

make it possible to increase the 

shelf life of these rockets generally 

known as MARS in Germany. 

Modern-day demands on the 

rocket artillery call for the use of 

trajectory correction systems – 

and this is exactly what the Corect 

module does. The integrated GPS 

receiver for satellite-based navigation 

allows an accurate measurement 

of the current position of the 

MLRS rocket. Simultaneously, a 

Hit accuracy 

magnetic field sensor determines 

the related roll attitude by measurement 

of the earth’s magnetic 

field. 

Based on this information, an 

on-board processor computes the 

deviation of the rocket from the 

reference trajectory and then triggers 

the necessary correction 

pulses in longitudinal and lateral 

direction by activation of the micro-reaction 

thrusters at the appropriate 

point in time. This 

process allows target accuracies 

of distinctly less than 50 m deviation 

from the desired hit point – 

compared to present-day miss distances 

of sometimes more than 

several hundred meters this is an 

enormous improvement. 

Newsline is a summary of the most 

important news articles published 

in “Das Profil”, the company newspaper 

of the Rheinmetall group 

Publisher: Rheinmetall AG 

P.O. Box 10 42 61, D-40033 Düsseldorf 

newsline@rheinmetall-ag.com 

Responsible: Peter Rücker 

Editor-in-chief: Rolf D. Schneider 

Issue: November/December 2005

Newsline 

Appealing IAA exhibits with lots of system detail: Visitors – including Rheinmetall AG boss Klaus Eberhardt (center picture, 

left) shown here being briefed by Rainer Fluhr (head of KS Kolbenschmidt GmbH) – took it in turns to examine the exhibits on 

show at Kolbenschmidt Pierburg’s futuristic stand in hall 8 at the 61st International Motor Show IAA in Frankfurt am Main. 

Kolbenschmidt Pierburg at the IAA 2005 

Ongoing dialog with 

important customers 

Frankfurt/Main. A market for models, 

makes and opinions, and a communication 

platform: the International Motor 

Show IAA in Frankfurt am Main is 

not only an important trade fair allowing 

automakers to show off their latest 

innovations and inventions but also a 

barometer for the economy and general 

mood of the motor industry. Given 

its significance and this background, 

the 61st IAA – which was visited by a 

total of 940,000 visitors from 99 different 

countries – is rated as a promising 

catalyst for a good start into the last 

quarter of the year 2005. 

Kolbenschmidt Pierburg can look 

back at the IAA 2005 with considerable 

satisfaction. In the words of Dr. Gerd 

Kleinert, CEO of Kolbenschmidt Pierburg 

AG: “This was one of the best motor 

shows we ever had. Largely because 

the stand attracted a lot of visitors 

and the new exhibition concept 

clearly found favor with customers. The 

motor show also underlined that our 

expertise in the field of pollution reduction 

and fuel savings has made us 

a key player for our customers where 

future activities are concerned.” 

The CEOs of the four divisions of the 

Kolbenschmidt Pierburg group all came 

to similar conclusions. Pierburg boss 

Dr. Hans-Joachim Esch was really impressed 

by the concept of the IAA 

stand which he thought was “simply 

fantastic”. Like his colleagues Rainer 

Fluhr, chairman of the management 

board of KS Kolbenschmidt GmbH, 

Horst Binnig, chairman of the executive 

board of KS Aluminium Technologie AG 

and Dr. Peter Spahn, chairman of KS 

Gleitlager, Esch drew attention to the 

many good and high-quality visitors to 

the exhibition stand in hall 8 during 

the IAA. “They have underscored the 

interest in our development projects 

and our products.” 

A study for a diesel engine fulfilling 

the stringent EU-5 emission control requirements 

met with particular interest. 

The demonstrator engine incorpo- 

rated all the components with which 

the automotive companies will satisfy 

the stringent EU exhaust gas rules. 

The many visitors to the stand with 

its two oversized pistons obviously 

posed quite a challenge to the team 

hosting the stand. Yet despite the exhausting 

and sometimes turbulent 

hours on the stand, Sandra Conrads, 

sales person responsible for the BMW 

group at Pierburg, was nonetheless 

positive about the motor show in 

Frankfurt. “It was really good to be 

able to welcome so many visitors and 

representatives of the press to our 

stand. The teamwork at the reception 

was excellent. The leaflets and informatory 

material were just what was 

needed to satisfy the interests of our 

visitors. Actually, it was great fun to 

have been there.” (See pages 9+10.) 

3 

Frankfurt. The 

demonstrator 

(diesel) engine 

exhibited at the 

IAA 2005 containingcomponents, 

systems 

and modules developed and 

manufactured by members of the 

Kolbenschmidt Pierburg group 

gave visitors a practical insight into 

the capabilities of the Rheinmetall 

automotive group. The 

chief attraction here was that the 

engine spotlighted Kolbenschmidt 

Pierburg’s contribution 

toward compliance with the stringent 

EU 5 exhaust gas emission 

regulations. 

Besides components already introduced 

on the market – for example 

an electromotive exhaust gas 

recirculation valve, an electrical 

throttle valve control, a charge air 

Demonstrator was 

main attraction 

cooler or an electrical coolant 

pump – the demonstrator engine 

also incorporates future technologies 

like a low-pressure exhaust 

gas recirculation valve that – by 

design measures as well as by removing 

the exhaust gas before it 

reaches the turbine and re-entry 

after the compressor – allows a 

significant increase in exhaust gas 

return flow at lower temperatures, 

thus reducing nitrogen oxide emissions 

even further. 

Besides the aluminum die-cast 

engine block, an integrated intake 

manifold with charge movement 

flaps and electrical actuator were 

on display. Not to mention the pistons 

and plain bearings as well as 

Permaglide dry bearings made by 

Kolbenschmidt Pierburg. 

Photos (3): Kornelia Danetzki

S Bearings Inc. in Fountain 

Inn, South Carolina, 

a Plain Bearings subsidiary 

of the Kolbenschmidt 

Pierburg Group, 

and Miba Bearings US 

LLC, McConnelsville, 

Ohio, are forging a joint venture for 

the production of input materials 

used in the manufacture of plain 

bearings. 

The new company ABM Advanced 

Bearing Materials LLC, Greensburg, 

Indiana, in which both companies 

hold equal shares, will chiefly produce 

all the input materials from cast 

lead and leadfree bronze and brass 

hybrids for downstream processing at 

the Miba and Kolbenschmidt locations 

in the USA, Germany, and Austria. 

The joint venture will be paritymanaged 

by representatives of KS 

Gleitlager and Miba Gleitlager. 

The product ranges of Miba and KS 

are an ideal complement. Whereas KS 

Gleitlager mainly focuses on passen- 

Newsline 

Düsseldorf based group shows solid progress – earnings are up once more 

Rheinmetall: Sharp rise in order intake 

Düsseldorf. Organic growth and superior 

operating performance: the second 

quarter of 2005 saw Rheinmetall continue 

the solid progress already shown at 

the start of the year by advancing along 

the path of profitable growth. Both sectors 

– Automotive and Defence – generated 

higher sales. Order intake also 

showed a sharp rise. The group’s results 

of operations again improved. Sales and 

earnings in the first six months of the 

year have endorsed the confident 

growth and earnings predictions for all of 

2005. 

In the first half of 2005, the Rheinmetall 

group generated sales of € 1,617 

million (down from € 1,621 million). Adjusted 

for year-earlier divestments, sales 

mounted by € 79 million, corresponding 

to an organic growth of 5 percent. 

The first half of the year was a period of 

surging order intake for Rheinmetall. 

Compared with the like-for-like period in 

2004, new business soared 22 percent 

from € 1,567 million to € 1,919 million. 

This appreciable improvement was 

largely due to strategically important 

contracts booked by the Defence sector. 

Rheinmetall’s EBIT in the first six 

months amounted to € 72 million (down 

from € 89 million), with the Defence sec- 

tor showing the sharpest improvement 

and Automotive repeating its solid yearearlier 

EBIT. The € 19 million shortfall at 

group level is chiefly the outcome of the 

year-earlier € 17 million gain from divestments 

plus this year’s one-off expense 

(€ 7 million) for redeeming the old corporate 

bonds. 

Adjusted for one-off gains and expenses, 

the Rheinmetall group’s results of operations 

rose from € 77 million to € 83 

million during the first six months of the 

current year. The adjusted EBIT margin 

mounted from 4.8 to 5.1 percent. Moreover, 

with liquidity up and thanks to the 

finance rescheduling, net interest expense 

shrank by € 9 million to € 25 million. 

These are heartening results for the 

first six months of 2005, given the fact 

that the Defence sector will generate 

most of its sales and earnings in the latter 

half of the year. 

★ Automotive: The Automotive sector 

generated sales of € 1,031 million between 

January and the end of June 2005, 

three percent over the high first-half figure 

in 2004 of € 1,000 million and well 

ahead of the world auto industry which 

added a mere 1 percent. The chief contributor 

was the Aluminum Technology 

ger car and light commercial vehicle 

applications, Miba as world-market 

and technology leader for mediumspeed 

diesels, supplies the manufacturers 

of high-volume engines used in 

heavy-duty trucks, ships, locomotives, 

etc. 

Besides supplying the input materials 

for plain bearings, the joint venture 

will give both parties options for 

even more comprehensive cooperation 

in future, e.g. to jointly develop 

leadfree bearing materials, share existing 

testing rigs and benches, and 

to mutually tap new markets. 

The Miba group, Laakirchen, Austria, 

manufactures sintered parts, 

plain bearings and friction linings for 

motor and rail vehicles, ships, aircraft, 

and power plants at nine locations 

around the world. 

4 

division, up by 15 percent in the first half 

of 2005. 

Automotive’s (operating) EBIT for the 

first six months reached € 68 million, 

matching the high year-earlier performance 

given that the year-earlier figure 

had included a gain of € 9 million from 

the disposal of the measuring equipment 

product group (Pierburg Instruments). 

★ Defence: Defence lifted sales by 8 percent 

or € 45 million to € 582 million, the 

biggest contributions coming from Defence 

Electronics (+21 percent) and Air 

Defence (+13 percent). 

Order intake by the end of June 2005 

had surged 81 percent to € 866 million 

and was thus once again well ahead of 

sales for the period. 

The first-half EBIT by the Defence sector 

added up to € 16 million, up by € 9 

million. As a consequence, the sector’s 

end-of-June EBT has already reached € 8 

million (up from a negative € 2 million). 

The performance in the first six months 

of 2005 has prompted Rheinmetall to reconfirm 

its forecasts for all of 2005. The 

second half of 2005 will see a repetition 

of the group’s organic growth, with 

earnings again rising. 

The Miba Bearing Group belonging 

to the Miba group produces plain 

bearings for commercial vehicle and 

other large engines. A work force of 

740 generates sales of around € 112.3 

million. The Miba group employs 

2,700 persons and achieved sales of 

€ 328 million in 2004/05. 

KS Gleitlager GmbH, St. Leon-Rot, 

Germany, the parent company of the 

New joint venture in the USA 

Kolbenschmidt Pierburg group’s Plain 

Bearings division, has two production 

locations in Germany and another 

three in the USA and Brazil. The product 

range embraces engine bearings 

plus low-maintenance/maintenancefree 

dry bearings (Permaglide) for a 

wide variety of automobile applications. 

The company also operates Europe’s 

biggest continuous casting 

line for nonferrous metals.

Photos (2): Airbus Industrie 

telerob: focus on 

Arabian Peninsula 

Oman/Qatar. telerob’s longstanding 

efforts to break the Anglo-American 

stranglehold on the Arab EOD 

market finally seem to be paying off. 

After convincing the Royal Saudi Air 

Force – a key customer – of the superiority 

of its high-quality, innovative 

products, telerob is now in advanced 

negotiations with numerous other 

clients in the region. 

In Oman, both the police and army are 

closely eyeing the tEODor EOD robot, 

while in Qatar, a fully equipped EOD 

emergency vehicle should help safe- 

Newsline 

RDE books major order for the new Airbus A400M: The Bremen-based electronics specialist will be responsible for the complete 

Loadmaster Control System of the new military transport plane throughout the entire production phase. 

Airbus A400M military transport aircraft: Major defence contract for Rheinmetall 

RDE provides cargo hold electronics 

Bremen. Rheinmetall Defence Electronics 

(RDE) GmbH of Bremen has 

been awarded a contract to supply 

equipment for the new A400M military 

transport aircraft. Acting as subcontractor, 

the Bremen-based electronics 

specialist will be responsible for the 

complete Loadmaster Control System 

of the new aircraft throughout the entire 

period of production. 

Under the currently envisaged order 

volume of 180 planes, the value of the 

order comes to approximately € 72 

million in 2005. RDE expects the total 

value of this project – which is set to 

run 20-25 years – to be in the region of 

€ 200 million. The order is ofgreat 

strategic significance: after already 

scoring major successes in the field of 

civil aviation, the company is now tak- 

ing part in a major military aircraft 

project. 

Modern transport aircraft require a 

cargo hold system, which – both electrically 

and electronically – is easy to 

operate and completely reliable. The 

new Loadmaster Control System serves 

as the electronic brain of the entire cargo 

hold. It essentially consists of the 

following components: the Loadmaster 

workstation and control panel, as well 

as eight sidewall lock panels and a 

crew door panel. 

On the ground, the system ensures 

safe, efficient loading of the plane. In 

the air, the Loadmaster enables effective 

control of numerous interface systems. 

For example, the Loadmaster 

and the other operating panels will permit 

cargo to be delivered while the air- 

guard the security of the Asian Games 

in Doha in December 2006. After supplying 

the Kuwaiti National Guard with 

TL 600 systems in 2004 and 2005, 

telerob expects to book additional orders 

before the end of the year. 

In Saudi Arabia, following delivery 

in June of two additional complete 

systems to the Royal Saudi Air Force, 

negotiations for equipping the country’s 

domestic airports are now in 

progress. Moreover, further security 

agencies have expressed serious interest 

in telerob products. 

Finally, detailed talks are currently 

underway with the security forces of 

the United Arab Emirates for the supply 

of additional EOD vehicles. 

5 

craft is in flight – one of the main missions 

of the A400M. 

In selecting Rheinmetall Defence 

Electronics to supply this system, Airbus 

will be working with a proven partner: 

RDE has already equipped numerous 

Airbus civil aircraft with advanced 

electronic cargo loading systems. The 

current RDE-contract covers the 180 

planes ordered by Germany, France, 

Spain, Great Britain, Turkey, Belgium 

and Luxembourg. 

The introduction of the Airbus Military 

A400M will markedly improve the 

strategic airlift capacity of the armed 

forces of Germany and many other nations. 

Compared with the generation of 

transport aircraft it will replace, the 

A400M has twice the payload and 

twice the cargo space. 

tEODor: Order 

from Australia 

Melbourne/Ostfildern. In a market 

where competition is getting 

tougher all the time, tEODor remains 

on the cutting edge of technology, 

as a recent major order from the 

Australian Army attests. The procurement 

authorities have ordered a 

total of 26 systems. Following delivery 

of an initial lot of four units in 

June, another eight will follow in November. 

By the way: the Australian 

police have followed the military’s 

lead, having likewise opted for 

tEODor. All in all, a total of 200 systems 

will be delivered down under.

Kassel/Kiel. Right on schedule, the German Army’s first 

Puma infantry fighting vehicle (IFV) is set to roll off the assembly 

lines of Rheinmetall Landsysteme and Krauss- 

Maffei Wegmann just before Christmas 2005. Representing 

an entirely new departure in armored vehicle design, 

the Puma once again places Germany’s army technology 

industry on the global cutting edge, bolstering its leading 

position in this domain. The Puma vehicle concept is 

unlike any other, with numerous characteristics that 

make it the world’s safest, most secure IFV. The new 

Newsline 

Germany’s biggest procurement project right on schedule 

The Puma IFV is ready to pounce 

he first roadworthy Puma 

will be presented to the 

Bundeswehr on December 

20, 2005 in Kassel. RLS’s 

plants in Kiel, Kassel and 

Gersthofen (near Augsburg) 

are all involved in 

the project, as are KMW’s Kassel and 

Munich plants. The teamwork has been 

impressive: based on the PSM concept 

Rheinmetall Landsysteme engineered 

the Puma’s chassis in Kiel. The same is 

true of initial work on the hull, ultimately 

supplied by B+V Industrietechnik, 

a Hamburg company that specializes 

in welding steel armor. “Our expertise 

is what makes it possible to 

turn all this into an advanced IFV. The 

complete system integration of the 

GSD chassis is in the hands of RLS”, 

declares Helge Möller, 44, in charge of 

developing and engineering the Puma. 

The power pack, electronics, heating 

and climate control technology are all 

integrated in Kiel. 

KMW manufactures the turret in Kassel, 

as well as the individual crew stations, 

which in the Puma are integrated 

into the hull. Its main armament comes 

from RLS’s Gersthofen plant, consisting 

of the MK 30-2/ABM automatic cannon 

made by Rheinmetall Waffe Munition 

GmbH in Oberndorf. 

In order to commission the complete 

system, in mid November 2005 the 

demonstrator version will be taken 

over from RLS in Kassel. 

“The Puma is equipped with an advanced 

high-power density (HPD) 

diesel power pack featuring high integration 

density, specially developed by 

MTU. The engine has an 800 kW output; 

there is also a starter generator between 

the engine and the transmission, 

which can crank out up to 170 kW in 

power”, states Helge Möller, a trained 

mechanical engineer. According to 

Möller, there’s never a dull moment 

these days: “Being part of the country’s 

biggest army technology program is an 

exciting challenge” – all the more so 

since the project has progressed at a 

record pace. As Möller recounts, “all of 

the main companies (for example, RLS, 

KMW, MTU and Renk) involved in developing 

and engineering the Puma use 

3D CAD systems. This means that the 

participating companies generate all 

the components and subassemblies as 

3D models, which they can then exchange.” 

As a result, interfaces can be 

studied and identified at an early stage, 

and steadily refined during the development 

process – right up until the final 

binding specification. 

In organizing this process, PSM 

GmbH has had to take into account the 

stringent, highly heterogeneous requirements 

the new IFV will have to 

6 

system is thus a clear investment in the security and 

future effectiveness of the German Army, which will be 

the first to field it. Close cooperation between Rheinmetall 

Landsysteme GmbH (RLS), Krauss-Maffei Wegmann 

GmbH & Co. KG (KMW) and their subcontractors 

made for a quick development phase. The company Projekt 

System & Management GmbH (PSM) of Kassel, a 

joint venture of RLS and KMW, is in charge of the project, 

which brings together the expertise of two of Europe’s leading 

makers of light and heavyweight armored vehicles. 

Peter Hellmeister: “Our mission is to build the world’s best infantry fighting vehicle.” 

meet. “In order to combine the utmost 

in crew protection with complete airportability, 

we had to develop a totally 

new armor concept”, recalls Dr. Peter 

Hellmeister, 53, one of PSM GmbH’s 

two managing directors. The Puma features 

two levels of protection: in Protection 

Level A (Airportable), the vehicle 

is light enough to be airlifted yet 

still offers the world’s best protection 

against landmines; to achieve Protection 

Level C (Combat), separately airportable 

add-on armor elements can 

be fitted to the vehicle as soon as it 

reaches the area of operations, reliably 

protecting it from rocket propelled 

grenades. The lateral protection elements 

can be folded down after mounting, 

meaning that the Puma can be 

transported by rail even when configured 

for combat. “When it comes to 

ballistic and landmine protection, 

we’re the best worldwide”, affirms 

Hellmeister, who began his career at 

(Continued on page 7) 

Photo: Annette Kaduhr

Rheinmetall in Düsseldorf and has 

overseen the Puma project for the past 

three years. 

The objective was to create a vehicle 

capable not only of keeping up with 

the Leopard 2 main battle tank at 

home, but of being airlifted to remote 

areas of operation – ideally in all climate 

zones. The bulk of development 

work took place at PSM’s parent companies 

– RLS and KMW – who assigned 

some 200 developers to the 

project. Equipping the Puma with an 

entirely new protection concept was a 

prime objective. “We aimed to create 

space for a nine-man crew, with maximum 

protection from landmines and 

rocket propelled grenades”, stresses 

Peter Hellmeister. 

This led to the novel idea of placing 

the crew in the chassis. “Because the 

turret has to be remotely controlled”, explains 

Hellmeister, “the infantry squad 

isn’t separated from the turret crew.” As 

a result, only the one compact compartment 

requires maximum protection. 

Moreover, this eliminates the dead 

space that naturally occurs when a 

round turret is placed on a rectangular 

vehicle. Importantly, nobody sits in the 

turret, the most exposed and vulnerable 

part of an armored vehicle. These fundamental 

concepts ensure a high de- 

gree of passive protection, especially 

since the entire crew in the fighting compartment 

can maintain visual contact at 

all times, fostering clear communication 

– a crucial factor in combat. 

“We’re also setting new standards 

when it comes to the power pack,” 

states Hellmeister, a nuclear physicist 

by training. The problem is simple: the 

bigger the engine, the greater the space 

requirement and the heavier the vehi- 

Newsline 



(Continued from page 6) 

cle, inevitably leading to a decline in 

the power-to-weight ratio – something 

of a vicious circle. Compared with analogous 

engines, however, the Puma’s 

power pack is significantly smaller and 

lighter. The power pack fills up 92 percent 

of the forward area of the vehicle, a 

triumph of space economy. 

The Puma’s pioneering anti-landmine 

protection also merits special 

attention. The double-layered 

floor of the vehicle is specifically 

designed to absorb the shockwave 

from an explosive blast. As 

Hellmeister explains, “The shockwave 

doesn’t reach the crew, because 

the inner floor is designed 

to give the lower floor sufficient 

room to move in the event of a detonation.” 

This effectively thwarts 

the physics of an explosive blast. 

A glance at the interior of the 

demonstrator vehicle reveals an 

added force protection feature: 

the crew sit on nylon slings rather 

than floor-mounted seats. 

This kind of passive force protection 

thinking extends to every component 

in the IFV. The automatic turret naturally 

contains the ammunition supply, 

which reaches the Puma’s twin guns 

via an ammunition feeding system. “If 

the turret takes a hit and its armor is 

penetrated, the ammunition stored 

there burns off, damaging the turret 

but not the fighting compartment. The 

crew remains unharmed, because the 

two parts of the vehicle are completely 

separate”, explains Peter Hellmeister, 

highlighting one of the Puma’s key 

safety features. 

7 

The new IFV’s running gear goes a 

long way in reducing physical strain on 

the crew during operation: it is effectively 

decoupled from the hull, to 

which it is linked by elastic connectors. 

Just as in standard automotive 

applications, hydropneumatic suspension 

elements serve as shock absorbers 

– a novel development in armored 

vehicle engineering. This lowers 

the noise level in the Puma to 95 

decibels, significantly less than the 

120 decibels typical in such vehicles 

today. “Since the decibel scale is logarithmic, 

for the troops this means a 

90% reduction in audible noise and vibration 

in the vehicle,” declares 

Hellmeister, noting that this translates 

into less stress during operations. “It’s 

important to remember that we’re talking 

about the soldiers’ workplace 

here”, points out the PSM managing 

director. 

The running gear also fits nicely into 

the underlying concept of passive safety. 

Because the torsion bar suspension 

typical in tanks is dispensed with in the 

Puma, the empty space above the lower 

floor (which a mine blast explosively 

deforms and pushes toward the fighting 

compartment) can be reduced. A 

further special feature: the running 

gear supports are hollow. Not only 

does this save weight, it creates space 

for fuel tanks, which are located in var- 

Set to roll of in December 2005: The Puma IFV is the German military’s largest, most important procurement project at present. 

ious compartments in the two running 

gear supports. Here, too, “safety first” 

is the watchword: if one of the storage 

tanks is damaged and the fuel catches 

fire, it burns outside of the fighting 

compartment, posing no danger to the 

crew. If worse comes to worse, the IFV’s 

fuel supply system can switch to emergency 

operating mode, providing the 

Puma with an adequate degree of mobility. 


Composing: René Dahlmanns

Worldwide 

standards 

Kassel/Kiel. The new Puma infantry 

fighting vehicle demonstrates once 

again Germany’s paramount position 

in the domain of army technology. It 

sets the standard worldwide, as the 

following technical details make clear: 

★ airportable in the future A400M 

transport plane; 

★ rapid availability in the area of operations; 

The vehicle’s lightweight steel 

tracks, supplied by Diehl, also reduce 

its total weight. Newly developed and 

measuring some 26 meters, they 

weigh over 500 kg less than conventional 

tank tracks. 

The Puma’s innovative passive protection 

is matched by its state-of-theart 

armament and reconnaissance 

technology. “Early on in the project we 

decided that we couldn’t do without a 

glass optic”, recalls Hellmeister. The 

commander’s newly developed 360° 

periscope is made by Zeiss. It operates 

independently of the turret, 

transmitting images via a vertical 

glass channel to the interior of the vehicle, 

just as in a submarine. A glass 

fiber bundle transmits the image to 

the operator’s ocular; by means of a 

built-in camera, it also appears on a 

monitor. The commander and gunner 

can both use this image. In addition, 

images from the daylight camera and 

thermal imaging device can be called 

up on the monitor as required. The six 

infantrymen on board can also view 

the images on two monitors in the 

fighting compartment, enabling them 

to keep track of the situation as it unfolds. 

Furthermore, these images can 

also be transmitted to higher echelon 

elements and/or other vehicles, a crucial 

capability in Network-Centric Warfare. 

Many minds have collaborated in 

making the Puma the world’s most advanced 

IFV. “During the course of the 

project, the spirit of cooperation at 

PSM has been terrific”, exclaims 

Newsline 




Foto: Uwe Ullmann 

★ modular armor elements; 

★ a single compartment for all occupants; 

★ a compact, newly developed, extremely 

powerful engine; 

★ highly effective mine protection; 

★ a remote-controlled turret; 

★ efficient armament for engaging all 

types of targets; 

★ suitable as a platform for future 

applications; 

★ interfaces for future systems 

(friend/foe identification, etc.) 

Hellmeister. 

“What’s more”, 

he says, “PSM’s 

two parent companies 

have developednumerous 

interfaces 

that can directly 

communicate 

with each other. 

This has been 

instrumental in 

helping us keep 

to our ambitious 

timetable, 

which is unrivaled 

in the in- 

Helge Möller dustry.” 

The turret armament proved to be a 

tricky engineering task and is certainly 

the most eye-catching feature of the 

new German IFV. The central positioning 

of the fiber optic channel mean 

that the vehicle’s main armament, a 

30mm automatic cannon made by 

RWM Oberndorf, is integrated off center 

in the turret. (Traditionally, the 

main armament is always placed in the 

center of a tank turret.) “If we’d put the 

gun in the middle of the turret, there 

wouldn’t have been enough room left 

on the hull for the hatches for the commander 

and the infantry section”, explains 

Hellmeister. In the end, the engineering 

team decided to place the 

turret off center as well, so that the 

main armament is aligned with the ve- 

8 

Technical data: 

★ maximum design weight: 43 tons 

★ weight (Protection Level A): 31.45 

tons 

★ weight (Protection Level C): 40.7 

tons 

★ crew: 9 (6+3); 

★ maximum road speed: 70 kilometers 

per hour 

★ power to weight ratio: 20 kW/t; 

★ length: 7,330 mm 

★ width: 3,430 mm 

★ total height: 3,050 mm 

hicle’s central axis, giving the Puma its 

characteristic appearance. 

The gunner’s weapon sight is mounted 

next to the main armament, and rotates 

with it. This configuration gives 

the Puma a hunter-killer capability 

more typical of main battle tanks: if 

the commander detects an enemy target 

with the periscope, he transmits 

the image to the gunner; the turret automatically 

swings toward the target, 

which can be engaged while the 

commander looks for the next target 

with the independently operating 

periscope. 

When the Puma goes into series production 

in 2009, it will be accompanied 

by completely new training systems. 

“Until now, IFV training has taken 

place using simulators in containers. 

With the Puma, the crew will be trained 

in the actual vehicle. The necessary interfaces 

are already available. This 

means that troops can be trained in the 

area of operation to contend with special 

situations”, declares Hellmeister. 

“All in all”, he states, “the Puma is 

more than just an exceptionally futureproof 

IFV. It can serve as a platform for 

other systems such as air defence artillery, 

or as a lightweight armored recovery 

vehicle or light tank – there’s 

plenty of scope for expansion.” If Peter 

Hellmeister has his way, the Puma will 

be as successful as the Leopard 2 – and 

sell well abroad too. The Bundeswehr 

will take delivery of the first series produced 

Pumas in 2009. In all, the German 

Army plans to buy 410 units; the 

order is worth over € 3 billion. 

Detlev Karg

Newsline 

WELL POISED: The Kolbenschmidt Pierburg group was once again excellently 

represented at the 61st International Motor Show IAA which attracted around 

940,000 visitors in September this year. Be it pistons, plain bearings, exhaust gas 

recirculation systems, oil, water, water circulation and vacuum pumps or intake 

manifolds, solenoid valves, engine blocks, engine bearings, secondary air 

systems, electrical actuators, control valves – many of the new models were 

equipped with advanced technologies from the Düsseldorf-based group. 

Newsline contributor Nils Mertens has collected just some of the many highlights 

exhibited at the recent Motor Show: VW Passat Variant, Jaguar Super 8, Alfa 

Romeo 147, Porsche Cayman S, Opel Vectra, Rolls Royce Phantom, Mercedes 

S-Class, Volvo C 70 Cabrio, Audi Q7, BMW 3 Touring and the Peugeot 107. Indeed, 

this year’s IAA once again set new standards: Automakers presented 122 innovations 

of which 80 were world premieres: German car makers alone presented 

77 novelties, and the Chinese suppliers Geely, Brilliance and Landwind exhibited 

their products at the world’s most important mobility show for the first time. 

9 

Photos (11): Volkswagen, Jaguar, Audi, BMW group (2), Fiat, Porsche, DaimlerChrysler, Volvo, Opel und Peugeot.

CONCEPT CARS: As in past 

years, the IAA in Frankfurt was a 

platform for future design studies, 

with a special focus on 

space this time. Some of the futuristic 

concepts gave visitors 

the impression of remote galaxies. 

Available space was used 

much more effectively in many of 

the cars. Due to the disappearance 

of the B-pillar both the optics 

and access were much improved 

in many concepts, with 

wing doors opening upwards in 

some cases. Alternative drives 

were another important trend, 

hybrid technologies being one 

of the main areas of interest. 

These drive an electrical engine 

with much lower fuel consumption 

levels. Other manufacturers 

concentrated on hydrogen or 

gas as alternative fuels. These 

new drive systems do not automatically 

mean reduced power 

as demonstrated by Ford’s Iosis 

study with more than 300 h.p. 

from an electrical engine. The 

Concept Cars pictured on these 

two pages give an impression of 

what might be driving on our 

roads in years to come (shown 

clockwise starting top left): Suzuki 

Concept X, Peugeot 20cup, Mazda 

Sassou, Maybach Exelero (top 

speed 351.45 km/h), Mitsubishi 

Concept Sportback, Toyota 

Endo, Peugeot Moovie, Citroën 

Sport Lounge, Jaguar R Coupe, 

Mini Concept Frankfurt, Ford 

Iosis and DaimlerChrysler Bionic. 

Newsline 

10 

Photos (12): Ford (3), Citroën, DaimlerChrysler (2), Mitsubishi, Toyota, Peugeot (2), BMW Group und Suzuki.

Newsline 

Kolbenschmidt Pierburg in the new Allroader from the German car manufacturer 

Engine block and intake 

manifold for Audi Q7 

Ingolstadt/Düsseldorf. The booming 

market for Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs) 

demands a high seat position, good 

overview, sturdy appearance and representative 

dimensions, all of which 

the Audi Allroad Quattro can only fulfill 

to a limited degree although it still offers 

a good mix between on and off 

road capabilities. Audi has now decided 

to venture onto the highly competitive 

SUV market with a new model. Series-production 

of the Audi Q7 that is 

based on a study of the Pikes Peak 

Quattro will probably be launched in 

early 2006. It will initially be available 

in two engine variants: a diesel V6-TDI 

engine and the 4.2 liter V8 FSI gasoline 

direct injection engine. 

The engine block for the V8 drive 

with bedplate concept will be supplied 

by KS Aluminium Technologie AG 

(ATAG). The engine block of the V8 engine 

will be cast from a hypereutectic 

aluminum-silicon alloy known under 

its tradename ALUSIL®, a material offering 

numerous advantages. The 

monolithic, linerless concept allows 

an extremely compact design with 

minimal bridge width of only 5.5 mm 

between the cylinders, allowing low 

weight and high integration. This concept 

is also distinguished by the optimum 

thermal conduction properties 

which permit high specific engine performance 

characteristics. The non-armored 

cylinder bore surfaces are extremely 

resistant to seizure, and the 

pistons and piston rings run on hard 

silicon crystals. 

The low pressure die-cast engine 

block guarantees a uniform deposit of 

silicon crystals in the cylinder bore surface 

combined with minimal porosity. 

Besides the controlled, low-turbulence 

mold filling process, the directional solidification 

is also noteworthy. The 

casting process allows the introduction 

of sand cores, so that structurally stiff 

engine blocks are manufactured in a 

closed deck design as for the V8 engine. 

Another advantage derived from 

the low pressure die-casting process is 

the unlimited heat treatment of the 

casting, permitting not only greater 

hardness and higher strength, but also 

volume stabilization. 

The mechanical “uncovering” of silicon 

grains is just one of the outstanding 

features of the V8 FSI engine bock. The 

process employed by Audi is very similar 

to the ATAG-patented Siplamec honing 

method. This process consists of three 

phases: pre-honing, basic honing and 

finish-honing, the third step being determining. 

The desired surface structure 

is obtained by using elastic honing 

stones, which – due to the resilience of 

the cutting grains – remove more Al-matrix 

than Si-grain at the hard cutting 

grains. The Si-grains protrude slightly 

from the Al-matrix contrary to chemical 

process with rounded edges. This reduces 

the risk of splinters and also decreases 

piston ring wear susceptibility. 

11 

Yet not just the technology as such 

but also the time needed to develop 

the engine block for the new Audi Allroad 

V8 engine has set new standards. 

The simultaneous engineering process 

adopted by Audi, ATAG and the tool 

manufacturer made it possible to reduce 

the development time very considerably, 

backed by the benefits of virtual 

product development. 

A further technical highlight of the 

Audi Q7 is the new 2-length magnesium 

intake manifold from Pierburg 

GmbH. The longitudinal actuating 

flaps and tumble plates of this intake 

manifold are driven by the EAM-b electrical 

adjusters developed by Pierburg. 

Vacuum-pressure actuators are therefore 

not needed so that the intake 

manifold can switch independent of 

the vacuum supply. To achieve optimum 

torque values over a larger speed 

range, the intake manifold installed in 

Kolbenschmidt supplies the engine block, Pierburg the advanced 2-length intake manifold: the new Audi Q7 Allroader. 

the Audi Q7 has two lengths – irrespective 

of the engine speed: a short 

intake length assures good performance 

in the upper speed range and a 

longer intake distance permits optimum 

torque behavior at medium 

speeds. 

One general difficulty encountered in 

connection with optimum intake manifold 

functions is the internal sealing of 

the unit. To achieve high torques, Pierburg 

has given the manifold maximum 

internal sealing properties. This has 

been done in three different ways: firstly, 

the longitudinal actuating flaps attached 

by hot-riveting are sealed with 

elastomerics, secondly the welded 

tumble plates are pressed-in thus ensuring 

good tightness and thirdly, the 

channel-shaped magnesium parts are 

package-bolted. 

Photos (2): Audi

The armed forces use a 

wide range of systems, 

standards and technologies. 

Just as different military services employ different 

systems, different nations apply a variety of 

communication systems. Open interfaces or standards 

– as common in the computer industry – are 

rarely found. Nonetheless, the call for interoperability 

Newsline 

Open Community advocates open interfaces for defence technology 

A strong community of competitors 

tos Origin, Diehl BGT 

Defence, CONET, CSC 

Ploenzke, ESG, IBM 

Deutschland, Thales 

Defence Deutschland, 

Unilog Systems and 

Rheinmetall Defence 

Electronics GmbH (RDE) are all founding 

members of the Open Community. 

Although partly competitors on the market, 

the member companies of the community 

have agreed to implement interoperability 

on the basis of recognized, 

open commercial and military standards 

using an intra-company approach. 

The reason for this is the reorientation 

of the Bundeswehr which is also demanding 

improved 

internal communication. 

Whereas manufacturers 

used to 

have a strong interest 

in protecting their 

own developments, 

the task on hand now 

is to perform joint 

and combined operations. 

For the industry, 

this calls for closer 

coordination between 

the companies 

and their systems. 

The Open Community 

has no intention 

of becoming an official 

association but 

continues to be an 

open working group, 

as underlined by 

Joachim Dierig, the 

responsible spokesman at Rheinmetall 

Defence Electronics GmbH: “Members 

of our community will naturally continue 

to compete with one another in future 

bids, besides an amalgamation 

would be ruled out for anti-trust reasons. 

Nonetheless, we need to stop 

protecting our technologies simply to 

win follow-on contracts.” Dierig be- 

lieves this will initially apply to systems 

that are already fielded due to the 

growing international demands being 

made on the Bundeswehr. 

Today, units are mixed across all 

branches of the military and need to be 

able to communicate on lower command 

levels as well. “Communication 

channels calling for the involvement of 

higher command levels such as 

brigades, divisions or corps are no 

longer acceptable,” says Dierig. Moreover, 

multinational missions are increasingly 

important. Whereas combat 

units used to be homogenous – for instance 

tank battalions – the very real 

difficulty encountered today is that, for 

instance, a German vehicle cannot 

communicate with a French vehicle. In 

reality, this can mean that information 

from a German unit has to be passed 

on to combat post level. Only then is it 

possible to exchange information either 

orally or in writing with allied units 

in order to transmit the information via 

their echelons and communications 

12 

is becoming very real in the light of multinational and 

combined forces. Open Community, an interest group 

actively supported by the Rheinmetall DeTec group, 

aims to support related efforts to have open standards 

for military system architectures. The Bundeswehr 

and other armed forces stand to benefit from 

the powerful technical solutions that are based on 

common standards and therefore network-enabled. 

The Open Community promotes open interfaces for defence applications. 

systems through to the field – a hugely 

complicated procedure. 

“Lots of the systems introduced with 

the armed forces do not have open interfaces. 

It hardly makes sense to use 

know-how protection as an excuse for 

this nowadays,” remarks Dierig. In the 

longer term, it would be shortsighted 

of a company to think that this will generate 

further orders. 

In future, the Open Community will 

also employ open standards that are 

familiar from the civilian sector. Technologies 

which definitely require protection 

will then have to be agreed on 

higher levels like NATO, says Dierig. 

Software Defined Radio is one concept 

along this route: Just 

like video recorders 

can be reproduced 

on PCs nowadays, 

special software can 

be used to reproduce 

a radio unit on 

the computer in an 

armored vehicle. The 

advantage is that the 

appropriate configuration 

of the radio 

set can be called up 

and simulated virtually 

by a software 

program to suit the 

requirements of the 

nations participating 

in a military unit. 

Communication between 

different radio 

units and their technologies 

can thus be 

adapted to different missions. 

As a supplier of command and control 

systems, Rheinmetall Defence Electronics 

is also affected by these developments. 

“If the radio interface is not 

open, data behind it cannot be communicated. 

This is what we want to achieve 

with the Open Community.” In future, a 


Composing: frei-stil/Photos: IMZBw-Bildarchiv


tank crew might no longer enter a reconnoitered 

enemy vehicle on its map 

by hand and then radio this information 

to other units, but might enter this into 

a computer so that the message automatically 

appears online on the systems 

of the entire unit and command 

post. The key word is transparency for 

all those in a combined unit. 

Experiments and simulations are being 

carried out to see how far existing 

systems can be networked by opening 

and adapting the interfaces. Additionally, 

the capabilities of new systems 

can be examined at an early stage. This 

principle known as Concept Development 

and Experimentation (CDE) 

makes it possible to explore different 

Newsline 

An attack on a terrorist camp is one particularly realistic scenario for NEC. One conceivable solution in future could be that the 

reconnaissance data is automatically transmitted by data link to a frigate sailing near the coastline. The frigate could send the 

information to an unmanned KZO reconnaissance air vehicle which can deliver more accurate images of a potential target. 

Again by data link, the UAV can then provide the data to all other units at the same time and online. Based on the evaluation 

in the operational headquarters, a decision as to whether the target should be engaged could then be reached very quickly. 

Open Community advocates open interfaces for defence technology 

A strong community of competitors 

SLS used to protect 

Pope Benedict XVI 

Düsseldorf/Cologne. Today, the detection 

of counter-observation and 

enemy sniper activities is essential 

for the protection of sensitive buildings 

and sites, VIP-protection, police 

operations and military operations. 

Even in areas that are not conflict-ridden, 

snipers with long-range rifles, 

antitank missiles and handheld air 

defence missiles all over the world 

represent a real threat to VIPs, build- 

possibilities before investing more 

money. For instance, this is how the 

Bundeswehr started the experimental 

series Common Umbrella. 

The Open Community prepared the 

relevant concept proposals for this purpose. 

In the words of Dierig: “We can 

tell very quickly whether the networkcapability 

of introduced systems can 

be lastingly improved or whether a new 

system has the desired capabilities 

simply by checking the scenarios.” 

One central issue will be to adapt existing 

older systems. This makes sense 

ings, sites and forces so that it is absolutely 

vital to localize the threat before 

the first round is fired. 

In times of terrorism, VIP-protection 

and protection of sensitive sites have 

top priority. A terrorist threat is nearly 

always preceded by an observation – 

the identification of such hazards 

well in advance gives the required advantage 

over the enemy. 

Rheinmetall’s Sniper Locating System 

(SLS) offers exactly this advantage 

providing new and reliable ways 

of detecting snipers before the first 

shot is fired by using the SLS in com- 

13 

– on an international level, too. Many 

standards are promoted by the US market 

and the NCOIC (Network Centric Operations 

Industry Consortium) of which 

Rheinmetall Defence is a member. 

Dierig emphasizes: “The Open Community 

has given us in Germany and 

throughout Europe the chance to carry 

our weight.” This also leaves room for 

creativity. Although open architectures 

mean that present-day competitors can 

bid against us on orders which used to 

be protected by our own developments, 

this should not stop related efforts. 

Dierig: “After all, there is always 

the chance that we could progress 

even further technically – if we cooperate 

more closely, even with our competitors.” 

Detlev Karg 

bination with established technologies. 

Optical devices can be localized 

inconspicuously by actively scanning 

with a laser system integrated in a 

handheld binocular. Secure and inconspicuous 

detection of optical devices 

saves lives. 

Rheinmetall’s SLS is already being 

used in Germany and the Netherlands 

and is, for instance, applied as a protective 

measure during major events. 

The SLS was part of the comprehensive 

security plan implemented during 

Pope Benedict XVI’s visit to Cologne 

for the World Youth Day 2005. 

Composing: Thorsten Ohmes/RDE

Newsline 

Interview with NEC expert Joachim Dierig from Rheinmetall Defence Electronics 

“An interdisciplinary 

approach is essential” 

Bremen. The transformation of forces is fully under way. In future, armies 

will focus more strongly on the capabilities they need and will tailor their 

procurements to these requirements. Joint forces will be deployed and 

these will have to be able to communicate with one another even on the 

lowest levels. Network Enabled Capabilities (NEC) are to ensure such communication; 

the Open Community is creating the necessary groundwork to 

achieve exactly this. Cooperation between a variety of manufacturers is also 

having an impact on Rheinmetall’s Defence sector, as outlined in a 

Newsline interview with Joachim Dierig, general manager for NEC at Rheinmetall 

Defence Electronics and current spokesman for the Open Community. 

Newsline: Can you explain the task 

you have taken on? 

Dierig: I am the active member representing 

Rheinmetall Defence in the 

Open Community interest group which 

seeks to achieve open standards for 

military system architectures in future. 

To achieve this, it is essential to have 

Network Enabled Capabilities to allow 

networked command structures in the 

forces. 

Newsline: As this task mainly concerns 

communications technologies, is 

it limited to RDE? 

Dierig: No, it isn’t. The concept of the 

Open Community and therefore the 

ability to perform networked actions 

across different systems and forces affects 

all business areas. I may be a 

member of RDE, but this doesn’t stop 

me from collaborating closely with the 

Land Systems, Weapons and Ammunition 

and also the Air Defence Systems 

units. 

Newsline: What exactly does this 

mean? 

Dierig: Rheinmetall is actively supporting 

and participating in the 

process of force transformation. In future, 

follow-on procurements will no 

longer be platform-oriented – i.e. an 

armored vehicle has been in service 

for 40 years so the logical consequence 

is to develop and order a new 

one. This will no longer be the case in 

future. The question is more likely to 

be: Do we actually still need a certain 

system? 

Newsline: What will change as a result 

of this changed approach? 

Dierig: Our thoughts and considerations 

will be capability-oriented in fu- 

ture. Systems are needed for certain 

tasks. These tasks could be covered by 

an armored personnel carrier but there 

might also be other options. For Rheinmetall 

Defence, this means that we will 

have to change our approach to the development 

of new systems. In other 

words, we will no longer focus on platform-oriented 

concepts. 

Newsline: But platforms continue to 

exist and will continue to do so in future. 

Dierig: Of course, but military doctrine 

is changing. In the past, there 

were the three types of combat – attack, 

defence and delay, in which e.g. armored 

combat vehicles had an undis- 

NEC expert Joachim Dierig from RDE. 

puted and clear-cut role. Modern missions 

call for a far wider range of capabilities. 

The fundamental question for 

future procurements will be which system 

can cover the greatest variety of requirements 

in the best possible way. An 

armored combat vehicle may very well 

continue to play an important role in 

this context. However, future platforms 

may differ distinctly from those we are 

familiar with today. 

Newsline: What are the consequences 

for Rheinmetall Defence? 

14 

Photo: Marion Schlender 

Dierig: As Rheinmetall Defence, we 

will meet these requirements in cooperation 

with all the business units of the 

group. All the relevant sectors, i.e. armored 

vehicles, air defence, weapons 

and ammunition as well as network 

technologies will work together. For us 

this means that alongside their profitoriented 

focus, our four units will have 

to cooperate much more closely in future. 

This will ultimately result in systems 

allowing force transformation 

with new capabilities such as NEC. 

Newsline: Meaning just what? 

Dierig: More than in the past, we will 

have to bear in mind that we can’t simply 

offer our customers solutions from 

individual areas but that we should 

suggest combinations as complete systems 

– for example, unmanned air vehicles 

including the necessary vehicle 

and command facilities. Supported by 

the executive board, this is what I aim 

to convey to the individual business 

units. Our success in coming years will 

– to a large extent - depend on such an 

interdisciplinary approach. 

Newsline: Our forces already consist 

of joint units from all branches of the 

military, even on company level, and 

they have to be able to communicate 

with one another. Classically, communication 

. . . 

Dierig: . . . is still based on the principle 

of the turnstile interface: One soldier 

receives information from a military 

unit on the screen and then manually 

transmits this to another system. 

Reconnaissance information collected 

in an armored personnel carrier or an 

unmanned air vehicle is difficult to 

transmit to an artillery post. So if we 

want to be able to transfer information 

beyond platforms – as is the aim of the 

Open Community – to make communication 

between armed forces more efficient, 

we will have to employ a systematic 

approach in-house, too. 

Newsline: Could you give us an example? 

Dierig: Our base camp protection concept 

for which we have combined the 

most powerful solutions from all four Defence 

units can serve as just one example. 

In September 2005 we demonstrated 

in Unterlüß, North Germany, how a 

base camp can be protected much more 

effectively by efficiently networking and 

combining sensors and effectors. I am 

convinced there are numerous other 

synergies between the units waiting to 

be used and presented as all-embracing 

packages to our customers.

Bremen. Interoperability is crucial to the success of 

modern-day armed forces. The challenge now is to develop 

new capabilities by networking individual military 

services. New mission scenarios such as peacekeeping 

missions demand such new capabilities 

through networked communication, capabilities that 

are having a decisive effect on force transformation. 

The armed forces of the USA and Nato are currently being 

restructured and re-equipped within the framework 

Newsline 

RDE in Bremen uses NEC experimental environment to test new capabilities 

Combined and networked operations 

n an experimental NEC environment 

Rheinmetall Defence Electronics 

GmbH (RDE) of Bremen is 

testing how the interoperation of 

very different systems could work. 

Mission scenarios in which more 

extensively automated processes 

support the communication between 

sensor and weapon systems are being 

developed and tried out. At present, it 

is often necessary to transfer the data 

from various systems manually because 

the system interfaces are incompatible. 

Network-enabled systems will 

help overcome such incompatibilities 

in communication. 

An attack on a terrorist camp is one 

particularly realistic scenario for Network 

Enabled Capabilities. One conceivable 

solution in future could be that 

the reconnaissance data – possibly 

coming from an AWACS aircraft – is automatically 

transmitted by data link to a 

frigate sailing near the coastline. The 

frigate could send the information to an 

unmanned KZO reconnaissance air vehicle 

which can deliver more accurate 

images of a potential target. Again by 

data link, the UAV can then provide the 

data to all other units at the same time 

and online. Based on the evaluation in 

the operational headquarters, a decision 

as to whether the target should be 

engaged could then be reached very 

quickly because all the information is 

already available to all the stations. 

Similarly, air surveillance could be 

achieved by interlinking airborne and 

ground reconnaissance functions in order 

to transmit an up-to-date tactical 

image to all systems and stations involved 

so that an air defence post can 

then engage an approaching airborne 

target, again largely based on automated 

processes. The open architecture of 

interfaces including those from other 

manufacturers is crucial to the success 

of such scenarios. 

Communication in a network of this 

type can be demonstrated in such an 

15 

of the force transformation process. In future, armed 

forces will operate multi-nationally and in combined 

arms, meaning that the armies, navies and air forces 

of various nations will increasingly conduct combined 

operations in a network. Special new capabilities – socalled 

Network Enabled Capabilities (NEC) – play a 

critical role in this context: at every echelon sensors, 

effectors as well as C3I and support systems will be woven 

into a network via an appropriate IT architecture. 

experiment and in another much more 

sophisticated environment: In this 

case, the self-propelled howitzer M109 

A2, the Tares combat drone, the Fennek 

reconnaissance vehicle with the 

observation and reconnaissance 

equipment and the unmanned KZO reconnaissance 

air vehicle are interlinked. 

Additionally, RDE’s TacSi tactical simulation 

system (providing the necessary 

virtual real-time simulation and a 

realistic environment) has been connected. 

Like in real life, this shows vehicle 

positions, speeds, reconnoitered 

targets and weapon effects – in a combined 

network of the type to be employed 

in future. The experimental environment 

is used to identify deficits 

and obstacles and to demonstrate the 

capabilities of such a configuration. 

The results of such experiments are 

taken into account for the design of 

network systems that will support the 

transformation of forces. 

Composing: Thorsten Ohmes/RDE

Newsline 

Flight training in cyberspace: In the new Tornado visual simulator of the Holloman 

Air Force Base, pilots of the German Air Force can train under conditions that are 

even more realistic than in the past. 

New Tornado simulator for Holloman Air Force Base 

Flight training under 

realistic conditions 

Holloman/Bremen. The Federal Office 

for Defence Technology and Procurement 

(BWB) recently handed over the 

new Tornado visual simulator to the Holloman 

Air Force Base in New Mexico, 

USA. 

The BWB had already contracted a 

working group for the Tornado visual system 

– consisting of Bremen-based 

Rheinmetall Defence Electronics GmbH 

(RDE) and CAE Elektronik GmbH in Stolberg 

– with the production, delivery and 

integration of a new external viewing 

system for the existing Holloman Tornado 

flight simulator in 2003. Holloman is 

the place where German Air Force pilots 

and weapon system officers receive their 

type-specific Tornado training. 

The simulator upgraded with the new 

visual system is to enable jet pilots to 

perform their simulator training and exercises 

under conditions that are even 

more realistic than in the past. The training 

includes tasks like navigation by 

sight and coordination between crew 

members, activities which are particularly 

well suited for simulator training. 

Above all, however, simulators are used 

to practice maneuvers and exercises that 

would either be too expensive, impossible 

or too hazardous in a real jet but can 

be practiced and repeated as often as 

necessary in a simulator. Emergencies 

like engine fires or complicated navigation 

processes with instrument failure at 

day and night or under bad weather conditions 

can likewise be simulated. The 

conversion of the first Tornado simulator 

is a milestone on the road to even 

greater efficiency of simulator flight 

training, adding new perspectives to 

high-quality training. 

RDE has delivered the advanced Avior 

laser projection system to the German 

Air Force for the first time. The Avior system 

allows unlimited focus depth, the 

greatest variety of colors of any projection 

system currently available, and unequalled 

realistic night-time visual projection. 

The Bremen-based company was also 

responsible for the spherical projection 

surface – also referred to as the dome – 

measuring 7.65 meters in diameter. The 

image (external view) combined from 13 

separate channels is projected onto the 

inner wall of the dome. The 13 laser projectors 

with openings the size of a fingertip 

are located on the outside of the 

dome and jointly produce a 300° field of 

view horizontally and 120° vertically. An 

extremely sophisticated hydraulic system 

for simulation of motion is not 

needed since the presentation of the 

outer world covers the entire visual field 

and around 80% of our spatial perception 

is through our eyes. In fact, the image 

is sufficient to let pilots practically 

forget that they are actually still on the 

ground. 

16 

Bremen. The German Army Air Defence 

Corps recently took delivery of 

the last of eleven reconnaissance, 

command and control systems of 

the LeFlaSys short range light air 

defence system from Bremenbased 

Rheinmetall Defence Electronics 

GmbH (RDE). This system 

has put the Germany Army in good 

stead to meet future challenges and 

requirements. By meeting essential 

military demands such as air transportability, 

standoff capability and 

system operation under armor protection, 

LeFlaSys has set new standards 

and is an integral part of the 

reconnaissance – command and 

control – weapons effect chain. RDE 

and various civil and military authorities 

developed, manufactured 

and tested this modern weapon 

system over a period of six years. 

The light air defence system has 

been designed as a highly mobile, 

airtransportable very short range air 

defence system of the German 

Army’s Air Defence Corps. It will be 

deployed separately in three light 

air defence batteries or in combination 

with other air defence systems. 

The core system was developed 

on the initiative of RDE with the 

LeFlaSys series 

order completed 

company’s own funds. In 1995, the 

Federal Office for Defence Technology 

and Procurement (BWB) commissioned 

RDE as the prime contractor 

to build the operational test 

model of a weapons carrier and reconnaissance, 

command and control 

system. With its consortium 

partner Krauss-Maffei Wegmann, 

RDE won the series order as prime 

subcontractor in 1998. 

The order worth around € 130 million 

included 51 Ozelot weapons 

carriers, eleven reconnaissance, 

command and fire control systems, 

seven command and support vehicles, 

four interface vehicles, twelve 

workshop equipment units, three 

training simulators each with three 

weapon carrier cabins and a reconnaissance, 

command and fire control 

cabin, the interactive electronic 

technical publications, the maintenance 

training system, training and 

spare parts. Follow-on development 

work and technical logical support 

activities will be continued under 

contract to the German BWB after 

the delivery of the final system.

The new EOD Cutlass, representing 

the most expensive development project 

ever to be performed in this field. 

Ostfildern/London. Since November 

2002 telerob has been busily 

engaged in the largest, most elaborate 

project ever to develop a bomb 

disposal robot. Cutlass, as the new 

system is known, is intended to replace 

the British Army’s aging fleet 

of Wheelbarrow EOD robots as soon 

as possible. The British MoD will decide 

on the award of the Cutlass 

contract at the end of 2005. 

A brief reminder: From a field of 25 

competitors, the British MoD ultimately 

short-listed two bidders to 

develop prototype systems: the 

consortiums British Aerospace/Re- 

Decision to be 

taken very soon 

motec and Marshall SV/telerob. The 

two consortiums submitted their 

prototypes for testing at the end of 

2004 so the cards are on the table. It 

is now up to the so-called scrutineers 

(members of the MoD’s expert 

committee) to decide which is the 

better of the two concepts. This will 

then be recommended to the British 

Defence Secretary. 

The Cutlass Main Explosive Ordnance 

Disposal Remote Controlled 

System, as it is formally known, is 

by far the greatest technical 

achievement ever in the world of 

EOD robotics (EOD = explosive ordnance 

disposal). 

Newsline 

Presentations at 

DSEi exhibition 

London. Rheinmetall Defence gave 

a powerful presentation of it’s capability-oriented 

system solutions at 

this year’s DSEi exhibition in London. 

Exhibits focused on four main areas 

of interest for the British armed 

forces: force protection, network enabled 

capabilities, indirect fire and 

precision attack as well as combat 

enhancement. 

The huge interest in Rheinmetall’s 

exhibits confirmed the choice of subjects 

and presentations to be correct. 

22 delegations from Europe, Asia and 

the Middle East showed an interest in 

the technological achievements of 

Rheinmetall. Norbert Frank who was 

in charge of Rheinmetall’s DSEi stand 

was more than pleased with the exhibition 

from a sales standpoint: “The 

DSEi is now one of the most impor- 

Major order for 

armored vehicles 

Kiel. Rheinmetall Landsysteme 

GmbH of Kiel will supply the Bundeswehr 

with 181 new armored vehicles 

specifically designed to give 

German troops greater protection in 

operation. The contract for this € 151 

million procurement package was 

signed recently in Koblenz. 

This important order bolsters Rheinmetall’s 

market position as Europe’s 

leading supplier of tracked and 

wheeled armored vehicles as well as a 

prime source of comprehensive force 

protection concepts. Moreover, the 

company views the order as a valuable 

reference for future export sales. 

Specifically, the order encompasses 

81 BV 206 S command and trans- 

17 

tant exhibitions. Quantitatively and 

qualitatively, we are extremely 

pleased with the talks we have held. 

Our strong presentation at this exhibition 

has underlined our position as 

Europe’s leading supplier for ground 

forces technology.” 

Highlights at Rheinmetall’s stand 

included the combat drone Tares 

which Rheinmetall is offering on the 

UK market, as well as the mini robotic 

system tEODor. The Rheinmetall 

subsidiary telerob has been shortlisted 

to bid for a British EOD (explosive 

ordnance disposal) project with 

a comparable robotic system. 

The SMArt sensor-fuzed ammunition 

and Rheinmetall’s concept for 

modernizing the weapon system of 

the British Challenger tank attracted 

considerable attention. Rheinmetall’s 

120mm smooth bore technology 

is to replace obsolete systems. 

First trials with the British 

armed forces have been successful. 

port vehicles, costing a total of € 67 

million, and 100 Duro lightweight 

armored personnel carriers worth € 

84 million. The vehicles are due to 

be delivered between 2006 and 

2009. 

Flexible, airportable and ready to 

roll as soon as they hit the ground, 

these Rheinmetall light armored 

vehicles are ideal for airmobile intervention 

forces. Moreover, 

thanks to their state-of-the-art armor 

technology, they offer a high 

degree of protection against battlefield 

hazards like landmines and 

small arms fire. 

As Klaus Eberhardt, chairman of 

the executive board of Rheinmetall 

AG, sums up: “This contract underscores 

Rheinmetall’s role as a technological 

pacesetter in the modernization 

of the Bundeswehr.” 

Major order: The German Bundeswehr will take delivery of 81 command and transport 

vehicles of the type BV 206 S (r) and 100 Duro armored personnel carriers.

Newsline 

COMPREHENSIVE PROTECTION: More than 200 high-ranking visitors including representatives of the German parliament, 

foreign embassies, German MoD, Federal Criminal Police Office, Federal Office for Defence Procurement and Technology 

as well a numerous parts of the German armed forces (amongst others Special Forces Command) witnessed a live presentation 

of the new Protective Shield system at the proving ground in Unterlüß. As seen, the guests welcomed the opportunity 

to find out more about the capabilities of the networked command and control, reconnaissance and effector systems. The 

main task was to see how messages from security installations are processed in the combat information center CIC, and how 

countermeasure actions are launched. The Protective Shield system was proven to be highly effective in every single exercise 

– persons approaching a fence monitored electronically by camera systems, detecting snipers on the property by means of 

the Sniper Location System, or engaging approaching mortar grenades with the aid of the Skyshield air defence systems. 

18 

Photos (18): Christoph Schuhknecht

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