WISENT 2 is one of the world’s most advanced multi-functional armoured support vehicle, which can be used as an armoured recovery vehicle (ARV) or an armoured engineer vehicle (AEV). Developed by Flensburger Fahrzeugbau Gesellschaft (FFG), the vehicle is based on the combat-proven Leopard 2 main battle tank (MBT).
Recommended White Papers
Recommended Buyers Guides
The multi-functional vehicle can be deployed in missions such as recovery and towing of damaged vehicles and equipment, military engineering and mine clearance operations under challenging battlefield scenarios with modern asymmetric threats.
As of March 2016, WISENT 2 has been ordered by four export customers including the armed forces of Canada, Qatar, Norway and the UAE.
WISENT 2 design and features
The WISENT 2 is based on the tracked chassis of the Leopard 2 MBT. The combat-tested chassis makes the WISENT 2 extremely manoeuvrable, powerful and reliable in the battlefield.
The vehicle can be delivered to customers either as a factory-built vehicle or a fully-reconfigured Leopard 2 MBT chassis fitted with a modern, hydraulically-operated recovery and engineering equipment.
The WISENT 2 ARV has a length of 9.26m, width of 3.54m and a height of 2.78m, whereas the AEV variant measures 10.50m-long, 3.54m-wide and 3.10m-high.
WISENT 2 configurations and tools
The WISENT 2 can be converted from ARV to AEV configuration in less than five hours. Both the configurations can be integrated with a mine-breaching kit including a full width mine plough, a high lift adapter, a safe lane marking system and a magnetic signature duplicator.
The ARV version is fitted with a powerful crane boom and winch for loads up to 32t. The main winch offers a maximum invariable pull force of 400kN, whereas an auxiliary winch offers a maximum pull force of 30kN for minor recovery missions. The onboard combat recovery system (CRS) enables rapid recovery and towing of vehicles or equipment.
The AEV configuration is equipped with an excavator arm with a capacity to move up to 300m³ of earth an hour, and a special high-performance dozer blade with a rate of up to 400m³ of earth an hour.
The excavator arm of WISENT 2 can be optionally hinged with devices including miniature flail, milling head, concrete crusher and earth auger, to complement specific mission requirements. The advanced hydraulic and electronic architecture automatically detects the hinged equipment.
Self-protection against military weapons
The vehicle offers ballistic protection up to Level 5 according to NATO STANAG 4569. The low angle armour design along with spall liner covering the interior of the crew compartment minimises behind armour effects.
The WISENT 2 can be provided with standardised attachment points to hinge bar / slat armour, explosive reactive armour and enhanced protection systems to offer additional protection against rocket propelled grenades (RPGs).
The bottom of the hull is attached with an additional armour plate to withstand the blasts of enhanced mines and improved explosive devices (IEDs). The vehicle offers integrated mine protection up to level 4A and 4B.
Engine and mobility of the armoured support vehicle
The WISENT 2 is powered by a MTU, MB 873 Ka 501 diesel engine coupled to RENK, HSWL 354, reinforced transmission through an electro-hydraulic gear shift (four forward and two backward gears). The engine develops a maximum power output of 1100kW.
The reinforced running gear components offer high manoeuvrability in different terrain conditions. The power-pack provides a maximum forward speed of 68km/h and a rearward speed of 31km/h. The recovering speed of the vehicle is 40km/h. The WISENT 2 attains a speed of 15km/h when towing device in terrain.
The Global Armoured Vehicles and Counter IED Vehicles Market 2011-2021
This project forms part of our recent analysis and forecasts of the global armoured vehicles and counter IED vehicles market available from our business information platform Strategic Defence Intelligence. For more information click here or contact us: EMEA: +44 20 7936 6783; Americas: +1 415 439 4914; Asia Pacific: +61 2 9947 9709 or via email.
