Designation:

APE

Info
Manufacturer: Henschel Wehrtechnik GmbH  
Product type: Armoured Vehicles  
Name: Reconnaissance Vehicle  

APE (Amphibische Pioniererkundgungs Kfz) vehicle was developed by "Rheinmetall-Henkel" for Bundesver armed forces. It is intended to make water obstacle recognition, as European battle theatre has a great number of lakes and rivers.

APE vehicle was first used during "Blue Danube" Bundesver corps training which took place on September1978. At the moment APE is the main engineering reconnaissance vehicle of the Bundesver armed forces.

Vehicle is based on German armored personnel carrier Tpz-1. The main difference is 4 x 4 wheel formula instead of 6 x 6 used with armored personnel carrier. It allowed to considerably decrease vehicles weight and to increase amphibious features. APE moves on water using tunable blade screws placed rear as well as Tpz-1. Screws use main engine rotation power threw cardan-joints. Maximum amphibious speed on water reaches 12 km/h. Vehicle is fitted with wide-profile high-diameter tyres to increase cross-country abilities. Tyres are also fitted with adjustable centralized pressure system. Vehicle is able to manage 1 m width trench, 0.5 m vertical step and 37º slope.

Vehicle is fitted with special electronic equipment preparing data on water obstacles and shows it on GPS type electronic maps. It's electronic equipment is able to measure water obstacles depth and width, stream speed. Furthermore it is able to designate ground type and shore slopes. Vehicle is fitted with modern communication devices, Nuclear Biological Chemical protection system, fire prevention system, and water pumps which allow vehicle to keep float ability even hit by small caliber projectiles or mines.

As far as APE is intended to be used in frontline divisions it was fitted with quiet powerful armament - 20-mm automatic gun. Additional armament consists from smoke grenade launchers placed from the doth sides of the hull.

Landing compartment is able to take onboard combat engineers, mines or mine search equipment. From the beginning of it's serial production the Bundesver armed forces got 120 APE reconnaissance vehicles.

Specifications:
Property Value
Crew
4
Length (mm)
6930
Width (mm)
3080
Height (mm)
2400
Main weapon caliber (mm)
20
Engine power output (h.p.)
320
Max. road speed (km/h)
80
Max. water speed (km/h)
12
Max. road range (km)
800
Side slope (%)
37
Vertical obstacle (mm)
500
Trench (mm)
1000



APE quantities:
Country Qnt
GERMANY GERMANY
120
Qnt:
120

Related Articles

ARMATA MBT - problems 2020 (24.12.2020)

Problems of Russian land military vehicles with diesel engines (24.12.2020)

Kungas Unmanned Ground Vehicle Tested in Russia (11.12.2019)

General Dynamics Land Systems–UK showcases adaptable Foxhound vehicle at DSEI 2019 (23.09.2019)

Problems of Russian Vacuum APFSDS-T projectile (25.01.2019)

Serbia intends to buy a batch of Chechen Chaborz military all-terrain vehicles (20.10.2018)

KMW and Nexter join forces on Main Ground Combat System (21.06.2018)

In Russia conducted winter tests of Combat UGV (21.03.2018)

Model of the Milkor 4x4 will be displayed at DSEI 2017 (09.09.2017)

Patria introduces new technology at IDEX 2017 (06.02.2017)

Otokar to introduce TULPAR-S APC at Eurosatory (02.07.2016)

Force protection and firepower: the future arrives with formal transfer of Puma infantry fighting vehicle to the Bundeswehr (24.06.2015)

Human-robot Teams Compete June 5 at DARPA Finals (28.05.2015)

Tactical Satellite VSAT Communication (04.05.2015)

Otokar to present COBRA and ARMA at FIDAE 2014 (27.03.2014)

   
Share...
Printable Version Send by email rss favorite Facebook Vkontakte Twitter Google+
APE