Frag Out! Magazine
Issue link: https://fragout.uberflip.com/i/713424
Genesis of Puma Experience gained during usage of Marders 1 made German engineers decide that when creating a successor of the vehicle, they need to follow a tried-and-true path. At the begin- ning of 1980s, work sconcerning a new gener- ation were started. One of the first attempts was the mutual undertaking of Krauss-Maffei and Diehl – the program PUMA - Panzer Unter Minimalen Aufwand, so an armored vehicle for the lowest price. The project assumed elabora- tion of a vehicle that would be able to become a base for various different types, including a tank, infantry fighting vehicle, and special pur- pose vehicles. The vehicle was to be developed in 2-3 variants that would vary in hull length, its weight (118-45 tonnes) and, consequently, the maximum load rating, and purpose. Among many variants, there were also propo- sitions of a new infantry fighting vehicle. What is peculiar, there was a decision made about implementing the concept of a modular armor. At the basic level, the vehicle was to become resistant to small arms and artillery shells fragments. After implementation of a set of composite plates, the vehicle could withstand gunfire from large-caliber machine guns, while the front part could withstand the contempo- rary 30 mm armor piercing rounds. The first prototype of PUMA vehicle was fin- ished in 1986. Within the next five years, four more were build. At the turn of 1980s and 1990s, two vehicles were extensively tested by German Bundeswehr, while the last unit underwent tests in Scandinavia. All in all, none of the countries decided to purchase the ma- chines, so the project was canceled. One of the prototypes was reconstructed and used for tests of a new suspension system. PUMA was to become the main export of- fer and the demonstrator of the capacities of German defence industry. However, the goal of the project "Fighting vehicle for the 1990s" (Kampfwagen 90) was to develop the succes- sor of Marder 1. One of the most important requirements was to adjust the machine to co- operate with Leopard 2 tanks and the technical requirement were formulated in 1984. At the beginning of 1988, the task of the main contrac- tor of constructing the prototype was assigned to Krauss-Maffei. The contractor fulfilled its task within an extremely short period, which was certainly possible due the works concern- ing demonstrator units of PUMA. Prototype of the Marder 2 was presented for the first time in September 1991. The main armament was a 35mm Rh 503 automatic cannon which could be easily converted to newly developed 50mm ammunition. The cannon was stabilized in both planes. Modern fire control system was respon- sible for the very high accuracty. The vehicle was protected by a modular composite armor, the front of which could withstand being hit by a subcaliber armor piercing ammunition up to 30 mm caliber. The combat weight increased to about 43 tonnes – half more than in the case of Marder 1. The suspension used torsion bars, while the heart of the drive unit was a strong VEHICLES