DVD 2022: God save the Boxer. And Rheinmetall. And RBSL.

Rheinmetall and the joint venture Rheinmetall BAE Systems Land (RBSL) will be present at the DVD trade fair in Millbrook, Bedfordshire on 21st and 22nd September 2022. At stand OR-15, the companies will provide information about a portion of their extensive activities and products for the British and export markets. This includes key projects in the redesign of His Majesty's Armed Forces, such as the Challenger 3 program or the delivery of Boxer vehicles for the Mechanized Infantry Vehicle (MIV) program, as well as investments in future technology and long-term support in the United Kingdom to create sovereign capabilities as promoted by the British Land Industrial Strategy.

Boxer Variants: Overwatch Demonstrator with MBDA Brimstone, Mortar Carrier, and Ground-Based Air Defense

At DVD 2022, Rheinmetall and RBSL will showcase several new Boxer variants and mission modules. These include the "Overwatch" demonstrator equipped with a launcher for eight MBDA Brimstone anti-tank guided missiles, a mortar carrier with a 120mm weapon system, and a ground-based air defense cannon vehicle. In November 2019, the British Ministry of Defence through the European armaments agency OCCAR awarded the consortium company Artec GmbH with the delivery of the Boxer Mechanized Infantry Vehicle (MIV). Artec GmbH is a consortium of Rheinmetall and Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW).

RBSL and WFEL were tasked with producing the Boxer.

Rheinmetall has invested over 40 million EUR (£35 million) in the RBSL facility in Telford, creating and retaining over 600 jobs. The knowledge and technology transfer to the United Kingdom continues to deliver the Boxer to British customers. RBSL has signed a number of contracts with British suppliers to support the delivery of the vehicles. RBSL and Rheinmetall are working closely together to ensure knowledge and technology transfer for the highest quality production of the Boxer. Subcontracts will continue to be awarded to British suppliers to maximize the British content in the vehicles. Delivery of the Rheinmetall and RBSL share of the vehicles is expected to begin in 2023.

Rheinmetall Howitzer on HX3 Base

Rheinmetall’s new HX3 vehicle generation offers improved protection, increased mobility, higher driving comfort, and a digital interface architecture for even more flexible operational capabilities and future performance enhancements. At DVD 2022, the Rheinmetall Howitzer on a highly mobile HX 10x10 chassis is exhibited. It features a highly protected cabin and a walkable remotely controlled turret. This development is led by the Rheinmetall team in Bristol, continuing to build sovereign capacities and maintain highly skilled jobs in the UK. The HX 10x10 will serve as a standard platform for various artillery systems or similar heavy equipment in the future.

HX Vehicle Family

Rheinmetall's HX vehicle family is one of the most widely used military trucks globally. As Military off-the-shelf products, the robust vehicles are designed for maximum mobility and reliability under the most adverse operational conditions. The new HX3 vehicle generation offers improved protection, increased mobility, higher driving comfort, and a digital interface architecture for even more flexible operational capabilities and future performance enhancements. In addition to the Rheinmetall Howitzer on a highly mobile HX 10x10 chassis, DVD 2022 will also feature a heavy recovery vehicle, as well as demonstrations of the "Leader-Follower capability" and the Automatic Load Handling System.

Airborne Vehicle Caracal 4x4

Rheinmetall, together with Mercedes-Benz and ACS Armored Car Systems, offers a versatile and highly mobile 4x4 vehicle family for light forces such as airborne or special operations units. The new vehicle system will be introduced for the first time in the UK at DVD 2022.

Fuchs NBC Reconnaissance Vehicle

In September 2020, RBSL received an order worth EUR 18.2 million (£16 million) for the modernization and maintenance of the British Army's Fuchs fleet. This includes reconnaissance tanks and a training simulator. Ten Fuchs vehicles, originally manufactured by the Rheinmetall Group, were transferred to the British government during the first Gulf War by the German government. RBSL was tasked with replacing the reconnaissance equipment, addressing obsolescence issues, and taking over maintenance. The work is being carried out at the RBSL facility in Telford and supported by the local supply chain. So far, six vehicles have been successfully upgraded and delivered to the customer, with the remaining four vehicles set to be upgraded by the end of the year.

Loitering Munitions

Airborne precision loitering munitions combine the characteristics of drones and guided missiles. They enhance the reconnaissance capabilities of even smaller units over the target area as well as the ability to engage targets actively and precisely at a distance. Rheinmetall and its partner UVision have agreed to cooperate to market UVision's Hero Loitering Munition family in Europe. At DVD 2020, both companies showcase the integration possibilities of different Hero LM systems into manned and unmanned vehicles.

Unmanned Systems and Robotics

Rheinmetall also demonstrates how various integrated, unmanned systems can enhance the capabilities of armed forces. The legged robot Robotics-L and the Mission Master SP show how robotics are already changing the modern battlefield. Robotics-L can conduct reconnaissance missions, while the unmanned ground vehicle Mission Master SP is designed for cargo transport. In addition, HX60 trucks equipped with the Leader Follower Kit will demonstrate semi-autonomous convoy operations.

Digitized Battlefield

As a leading system integrator, Rheinmetall has all the expertise to connect the different entities on the digitized battlefield of the future. Rheinmetall demonstrates at DVD 2022 how the "fog of war" can be lifted through the interaction of sensors, effectors, and modern human-machine interfaces. Rheinmetall also presents the current configurations of the Gladius 2.0 soldier system and its integration with manned and unmanned vehicles and subsystems.

Challenger 3 Program

As announced in May 2021, RBSL will modernize a total of 148 Challenger 2 main battle tanks to the new Challenger 3 configuration. This includes a new turret with digital system architecture and Rheinmetall's proven 120mm smoothbore gun L55A1, including the latest impact and programmable multi-purpose ammunition. The Challenger 3 will be a network-enabled, digital main battle tank with high lethality and significantly improved survivability in combat situations. Rheinmetall and RBSL provide updates on the progress of the project at DVD 2022, which also involves numerous other British companies.

In addition, Rheinmetall showcases its extensive expertise in almost all capability categories at DVD 2022. This includes Rheinmetall's know-how as a system house for the digitization of armed forces, comprehensive expertise in protection technologies, weapons and ammunition systems for threat-appropriate and scalable effects, or innovative and network-capable sensors for land, air, or sea applications. Rheinmetall and RBSL look forward to welcoming you to DVD 2022 at Booth OR-15.