High mobility, driving range on par with the Leopard I. The ATV staff (training, technique, experiments) of the Panzertruppenschule Munster created the military demands with the following characteristics: The aim was to develop an equivalent to the Leopard 1 armored infantry fighting vehicle in a renewed panzerdivision. The Marder original project started as early as September 1959 during the early phase of production of the HS 30. They were concluded successfully in 1967, leading to a vehicle retaking the name of a successful WW2 tank hunter. In fact, two lines of development started, one of cannon-armed tank hunter and another of ATGM tank hunter separately. It was also intended for the Panzergrenadiere, which had their own way of fighting, leading to refine further the concept. The idea was also intended to create a whole armored infantry vehicle family, with a modular armament, ranging from AT rockets, to antitank mortars, medical armor, transport and supply, anti-aircraft (FlaRak) plus SPAAML. The general staff acquiesced a larger, better armed, protected, more modular IFV carrying more troops was needed and urged the development of a project of "heavy IFV" made to accompany the Leopard MBT in the field. With the apparition of the Soviet BMP-1 in 1965 and its heavier armament, notably a low-power 75 mm main guns and antitank missiles, the Bundeswehr started to rethink its IFV and planned the future replacement of the older HS.30 and Schutzenpanzer Kurz 11-2. These light vehicles proved their worth in the early 1960s but had clear limitations. West Germany in fact had some advance already in that type, having pioneered the Schützpanzerwagen "Lang" and "Kurz" from 1958 to provide the panzergrenadiers with a fitting replacement for the WW2 SdKfz 250 and 251. The Schützpanzerwagen Marder was the first modern IFV (Infantry Fighting Vehicle) of the Bundeswehr.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |