TrFz ABRA

     Notes: This German vehicle is an M113A1G (the German-made version of the M113 APC) mounting a locally-made variant of the French RATAC S multipurpose radar.  The radar may be raised up to 3 meters above the ground.  The vehicle is amphibious only when the radar is folded against the hull.  The ABRA has a 5kW generator on the roof for running the radar with the engine off, to conserve fuel.

     The RATAC S has several possible functions, including ground surveillance radar, mortar and artillery counterbattery radar, and radar against low-flying aircraft and helicopters. It can also detect explosions and track them. The radar and the accompanying equipment automatically tracks, identifies, and classifies targets within range. Range is 38 kilometers against vehicles and structures and 28 kilometers against personnel and explosions.  The ABRA has several data-capable radios and a computer management system.

Hotchkiss Light Tracked Vehicles

     Notes: These small tracked scout vehicles were in service with the West German Army until the mid-1980s.  They were designed for the French Army to operate with AMX-13s, but the French Army passed on them and the West Germans picked them up.  Some of them passed into reserve units, but most of them were scrapped or used as range targets. They were replaced by the Marder, Luchs, and Wiesel.

     The base vehicle is the SPz (Schützenpanzer, or Infantry Fighting Vehicle) 11-2.  This is a small boxy hull with a well-sloped front end that bears a slight resemblance to the US M114 Lynx, but is much smaller.  The driver is on the front left, with an overhead hatch.  It has a small turret with a 20mm Rh-202 autocannon.  The turret is behind the driver, offset to the left, and has a hatch.  There are three hatches on the roof, one to the right of the turret and two on the rear deck.  There are two doors in the rear of the hull. The passengers were normally dismounted scouts, though infantry were sometimes carried.

     The SPz 22-2 is a command vehicle, and does not have a turret, though it does have a cupola.  It is fitted with three radios, and the right front hatch on the roof has a pintle mount for a machinegun.  The commander has a periscope with magnification of x4 (wide field) or x15 (narrow field); this periscope may be removed and placed on a tripod sight that is provided with the vehicle.  A variant of this vehicle was used by FIST teams.

     The SPz 51-2 is a light mortar carrier.  In this role, the roof is raised slightly, and an 81mm mortar is mounted in the rear with large overhead hatches in the roof for firing.  The rear of the hull has one large door instead of two smaller ones. 

     The SPz 2-2 is an armored ambulance.  The vehicle has basic medical supplies and two stretchers.  Two more stretcher patients may be carried in racks on the roof.

     Some of the mortar carrier versions were converted into ground surveillance radar carriers and designated Radarpanzer kurz 1s.  This radar has a range of 20 km. The Radarpanzer has a 2.5kW APU mounted on the left rear door.

Rheinmetall Wiesel 1

     Notes: The Wiesel 1 is a light and inexpensive scout vehicle and fire support vehicle used by the German Army by the hundreds.  They are easy to build, fast and maneuverable, and can be serviced using common automotive parts.  The standard version uses a 20mm autocannon, but the design is very versatile and had spawned numerous variants, only some of which are listed below.  The autocannon carriers typically have a crew of two, with the driver in the front right of the hull and the commander in the turret.  They may be easily carried in aircraft and heavy helicopters, dropped by LAPES, or sling loaded by helicopters as small as the Blackhawk. (Dropping by parachute was tested, but the four test vehicles were destroyed due to suspension failures.) Production ended in 1993 in favor of the Wiesel 2 and vehicles such as the Fennek and other light scout vehicles and ATGM carriers. Though used only by the German Army, the Wiesel 1 did see combat service in Somalia with the German contingent to UNISOM II in 1993.

     The Wiesel 1 MK20 is the version with a 20mm Rh-202 autocannon.  The MK25 is the same vehicle with a modified turret mounting a KBA 25mm autocannon. The MK30 is equipped with a different turret equipped with an externally-mounted RMK 30 autocannon. The BTM-208 has a turret of the same name and is armed with a pair of machineguns. The three latter versions were not taken into service.

     The Wiesel 1 Radar is equipped with a RATAC S multipurpose radar system. The RATAC S has several possible functions, including ground surveillance radar, mortar and artillery counterbattery radar, and radar against low-flying aircraft and helicopters. It can also detect explosions and track them. The radar and the accompanying equipment automatically tracks, identifies, and classifies targets within range. Range is 38 kilometers against vehicles and structures and 28 kilometers against personnel and explosions.

     Power is provided by an Audi 2.1L 5-cylinder in-line turbo-diesel engine developing 86 horsepower.  (That does not sound like a lot, but it is adequate for such a light vehicle.) The suspension is by simple torsion bars and the transmission is automatic, with three small and one large roadwheels as well as a drive sprocket and one return roller.

     Twilight 2000 Notes: Dozens of these vehicles were used by the US 82^nd Airborne Division and 75^th Ranger Regiment during the Twilight War.  Small amounts of MK25s, MK30s, and BTM-208s were employed, with the Rangers and 82^nd Airborne using the MK25 due to the more readily-available 25x137mm ammunition in US supply chains. The suspension problem with parachute drops was solved in the US by improved rigging.