Leichter Gepanzerter Spähwagen FENNEK (German Modern Army)

Fennek, named after the fennec (a species of small desert fox), or LGS Fennek, with LGS being short for Leichter Gepanzerter Spähwagen in German (Light Armoured Reconnaissance Vehicle), is a four-wheeled armed reconnaissance vehicle produced by the German company Krauss-Maffei Wegmann and Dutch Defence Vehicle Systems.^[1] The Turkish company FNSS Defence Systems acquired the right for licence production in 2004.^[2][3][4] It was developed for both the German Army and Royal Netherlands Army to replace their current vehicles.

History[edit]

In April 2000, the prototype vehicle finished field trials and in December 2001 a combined order was placed. The Royal Netherlands Army ordered 410 (202 reconnaissance, 130 MRAT (medium range antitank) and 78 general purpose versions) and the German Bundeswehr ordered 222 (178 reconnaissance, 24 combat engineer and 20 joint fire support teams (JFST)). More Fenneks for the German Army will be procured from 2015 on. Germany plans an overall purchase of approximately 300 Fenneks. The first vehicle was delivered to the Netherlands in July 2003^[5] and the first to Germany in December of the same year. Deliveries will continue until 2011 (additional orders for the German Army are planned from 2015 on).

The Dutch SP Aerospace company, which produced the Fennek for the Dutch military, was declared bankrupt in August 2004. A new company called Dutch Defence Vehicle Systems (DDVS)^[6] was created to continue the production of the vehicles for the Royal Netherlands Army.

Specifications[edit]

The Fennek has four wheels with selectable two or four wheel drive. It has a Deutz diesel engine producing 179 kW, giving it a top speed of 115 km/h. Tire pressure can be regulated by the driver from inside the vehicle to suit terrain conditions.

The primary mission equipment is an observation package mounted on an extendable mast. Sensors include a thermal imager, daylight camera and a laser rangefinder. Combined with the vehicle's GPS and inertial navigation system the operator can accurately mark targets or points of interest and pass that data to the digital battlefield network. The sensor head of the observation package can also be removed and mounted on a tripod for concealed operation, as can the control unit from the vehicle should the crew want to use the entire system dismounted.^[7] Many Fenneks of the German Army are also equipped with Aladin miniature UAVs.

Various weapons can be fitted, such as a 12.7 mm machine gun for the Dutch reconnaissance version, a Rafael Spike anti-tank missile on the Dutch MRAT version or a 40 mm automatic grenade launcher (HK GMG) or Rheinmetall MG3 for the German vehicles. The Royal Netherlands Army also placed an order at the Turkish company Aselsan for 18 Raytheon Stinger surface-to-air missile launchers to be fitted on the Fennek. The launcher in this case is the Stinger Weapon Platform (SWP), with four Stinger missiles intended for mid-range air defence. The launcher can be controlled from on board the vehicle, or else remotely as part of a distributed air defense system. On the Dutch Fennek the primary weapon is the 12.7 mm machine gun.

The vehicle is protected all-round against 7.62 mm rounds and additional armour can be added if the mission requires. The air conditioning system provides protection against nuclear, biological and chemical warfare and the crew compartment is protected against anti-personnel mines.^[8]

Operational history[edit]

Both Germany and the Netherlands have deployed Fennek reconnaissance vehicles to Afghanistan in support of ISAF.^[9] On 3 November 2007 a Dutch Fennek was hit by an improvised explosive device killing one and wounding two other occupants. The vehicle and its crew were taking part in an offensive operation targeting the Taliban in the province of Uruzgan, Afghanistan.^[10] In another incident a German Fennek was hit by a rocket-propelled grenade.^[11] Its hollow charge jet penetrated the vehicle through the right front wheel rim, passed through the vehicle and blew the left door off the hinge. Thanks to the spall liner the crew sustained only negligible injuries.

German Fenneks in Afghanistan (2009)

Royal Netherlands Army Fennek

A Fennek and an ATF Dingo of the German Army in Afghanistan

Side-view of a German Fennek

Ignition of the smoke grenade launchers of a German Army Fennek

Heckler & Koch GMG on board a German Army Fennek

Fennek command and control vehicle: which is known within the Dutch Army as “Allgemeine Dienste” (AD), can be employed universally. Instead of the monitoring and reconnaissance equipment, it features equipment storage space for use in a variety of missions. The engineers of the German and Dutch Armies operated the first vehicles of this configuration beginning in 2005

Fennek command and control vehicle: which is known within the Dutch Army as “Allgemeine Dienste” (AD), can be employed universally. Instead of the monitoring and reconnaissance equipment, it features equipment storage space for use in a variety of missions. The engineers of the German and Dutch Armies operated the first vehicles of this configuration beginning in 2005

Fennek command and control vehicle: which is known within the Dutch Army as “Allgemeine Dienste” (AD), can be employed universally. Instead of the monitoring and reconnaissance equipment, it features equipment storage space for use in a variety of missions. The engineers of the German and Dutch Armies operated the first vehicles of this configuration beginning in 2005

Fennek artillery observer: Its distinguishing characteristic is its improved navigation system, which provides an extraordinarily high precision for target localization in terms of elevation and distance and can be used in a dismounted mode. The acquired target information, as well as the target assignment, are transferred by the ADLER II artillery control system to the Fire Support Officer (FSO). Strike monitoring and possibly required corrections are carried out by the FENNEK’s ADLER II weapon and fire control system. Furthermore, the Artillery Observer is equipped with a map-based positioning module

Fennek Joint Fire Support Team: For the German Army KMW has developed and delivered the Joint Fire Support Team (JFST) variant. The team (two FENNEK vehicles) consist of an Artillery Observer and a Forward Air Controller (FAC). The JFST includes an exceptionally powerful long-range BAA of the latest generation. The additional connection to the voice and data radio communication of the German Air Force and Navy make the FENNEK a unique asset within the JFST. Moreover, a laser designator can locate targets for the Air Force and guide laser-guided munitions to the designated targets

Fennek pioneer vehicle: The Pioneer variant of the FENNEK is primarily deployed by its users for exploration and reconnaissance, making use if its near to noiseless mobility, the extensive protection and the ability to defend itself as well as its great self-sufficiency

Fennek pioneer vehicle: The Pioneer variant of the FENNEK is primarily deployed by its users for exploration and reconnaissance, making use if its near to noiseless mobility, the extensive protection and the ability to defend itself as well as its great self-sufficiency

Fennek pioneer vehicle: The Pioneer variant of the FENNEK is primarily deployed by its users for exploration and reconnaissance, making use if its near to noiseless mobility, the extensive protection and the ability to defend itself as well as its great self-sufficiency

Fennek Stinger Weapon Plattform: is equipped with a Stinger Weapon Platform (SWP) – a launch unit with four Stinger missiles for mid-range air defense. The operation of the system is possible both autonomous from on board the vehicle as well as remote-controlled as part of a ground-supported air defense system

Fennek Tactical Air Control Party: is deployed as an air control vehicle within the framework of the Tactical Air Control Team. Its crew has the task of supporting the air force when engaging ground targets.