New provider of complete solutions

1/2010
The latest news from the Rheinmetall Group
An innovative cooperation
Close operational support
KS Aluminium-Technolgie GmbH in Neckarsulm and the sports car maker Porsche in
Stuttgart sustain a long standing and highly innovative cooperation (see pages 4 - 6).
Rheinmetall has been tasked with the industrial operational support of the Combat Training Center of the German Army in the Altmark
Training Area north of Magdeburg (p. 10 + 11).
Rheinmetall MAN Military Vehicles GmbH founded – Two strong brands united
Düsseldorf/Munich/Vienna/Steyr.
Rheinmetall AG and MAN Nutzfahrzeuge AG are to form a joint company for military wheeled vehicles.
A contract to this end has now been
signed by the two companies. The new
company, which will be known as Rheinmetall MAN Military Vehicles GmbH
(RMMV), is an important provider of
complete solutions in the market for
military wheeled vehicles, covering
the entire range of armoured and unarmoured transport, command and rolespecific vehicles for the international
armed forces. Rheinmetall will have a
stake of 51 percent and MAN 49 percent in the new company, which will be
headquartered in Munich. The plan is
still subject to approval from the competition authorities.
“With this new company we are
combining the strong MAN and Rheinmetall brands and the complementary
technological core competencies of the
two partners to form a globally operating system provider, which will present
one face to the military customer with
the goal of improving its position in
the world market,” said Dr.-Ing. Georg
Pachta-Reyhofen, Chairman of the Ex-
Hungarian Army
now with Iniochos
Düsseldorf. The Hungarian Army has
contracted with Rheinmetall Defence to
supply it with tactical command and control systems. The company has signed
a five year framework contract with the
procurement agency of the Hungarian
Ministry of Defence. Thanks to its Iniochos product line, Rheinmetall was able
Photos: MAN/Rheinmetall
New provider of complete solutions
Soon to be operating under a joint umbrella: the MAN vehicle system HX 18.330 4x4
IAC (Integrated Armour Cabin) and the Fox 2 NBC reconnaissance vehicle for UAE.
ecutive Board of MAN Nutzfahrzeuge
AG at the signing of the contract. RMMV
unites MAN’s automotive expertise in
commercial vehicle manufacture with
Rheinmetall’s technological know-how
in the military field.
“The new company follows the trend
towards the joint acquisition of logistical and tactical military vehicles, whose
protective and mobility characteristics
have become highly similar because
of current operational conditions,” explained Klaus Eberhardt, Chairman of
the Executive Board of Rheinmetall AG.
“With their joint enterprise MAN and
Rheinmetall are at the same time making an important contribution to the
(Continued on page 2)
to overcome stiff international competition. The first order of its kind from an
eastern European member of Nato, it
represents an important strategic breakthrough. Moreover, the company hopes
that success here will lend added impetus to other projects now underway in
Hungary.
Rheinmetall has supplied comparable
systems to the armies of Greece, Sweden
and Spain, where they have proved highly effective. Iniochos is a family of tactical
command and control systems designed
for use at various echelons and in various platforms – e.g. tactical operations
centres, vehicles and at individual soldier level. Systematic adherence to Nato
interoperability standards characterizes
every aspect of the system, greatly facilitating international peace enforcement
operations, etc. This standardized system is able to provide coalition troops
from several nations with a Common Relevant Operational Picture (CROP).
Newsline
Photos (2): MAN
2
Extremely mobile and very reliable: MAN military vehicle SX 32.444 8x8, produced by MAN Nutzfahrzeuge Österreich AG.
Rheinmetall MAN Military Vehicles GmbH founded – Two strong brands united
New provider of complete solutions
(Continued from page 1)
wheeled armoured vehicle segment wholly-owned subsidiary of Rheinmetnecessary consolidation of military ve- the company offers an extensive ar- all AG. In 2009, Rheinmetall had outhicle systems at national and European ray of systems, ranging in weight from standing successes in winning major
levels,” Eberhardt continued.
five to over 30 tons. Its best-known contracts for the new Puma infantry
The first step calls for the merging vehicles include the Fuchs/Fox of fighting vehicle and the new mortar
of development and sales activities which 1,250 units are deployed by the combat system for the Federal Armed
of the two companies in the military German Armed Forces and the armed Forces as well as orders from abroad,
wheeled vehicle sector under the ae- forces of a further eight nations. In totalling around 1.5 billion euros.
gis of the new company, which thus 2008, Rheinmetall Defence took over
MAN Nutzfahrzeuge Gruppe, headtakes over product and market respon- Stork PWV in the Netherlands and is quartered in Munich, Germany, is the
sibility. The second contractually
largest company of the MAN Group
agreed step sees the two compaand a leading international supplinies’ production capacities at the
er of efficient commercial vehicles
plants in Kassel (Rheinmetall) and
and innovative transport solutions.
Vienna (MAN Nutzfahrzeuge) inteIn fiscal 2008 the enterprise, with
grated into the joint company by
over 36,000 employees, posted
the end of 2011.
sales of more than 96,000 trucks
In the initial phase, RMMV will
and over 7,200 buses and bus
have around 370 employees; when
chassis of the MAN and Neoplan
the second step has been combrands worth 10.6 billion euros.
pleted this will increase to around
MAN Nutzfahrzeuge Österreich
1,300 employees, whose annual
AG, headquartered in Steyr, is the
turnover will amount to more than
Austrian subsidiary of the MAN
a billion euros.
Nutzfahrzeuge Gruppe and comRheinmetall is an international
prises the Business Unit Light/
Towing recovery vehicle from MAN Nutzfahrzeuge AG.
technology group serving the
Medium Trucks (production of
global defence and automotive sec- responsible for supplying a total of 285 commercial vehicles in this series in
tors. Last year its 20,000 employees units in the framework of the German- Steyr) and the Business Unit Military
generated some E3.4 billion in sales, Dutch program for building the Boxer Division (development, production
including E1.9 billion in the defence armoured transport vehicle.
and sales of military trucks, based
sector.
Responsibility for developing and in Vienna). MAN has approximately
This makes Rheinmetall one of the manufacturing tracked armoured ve- 4,000 employees at its plants in Steyr
world’s leading suppliers of systems hicles and turret systems remains with and Vienna. Sales worth 1.89 billion
and equipment for land forces. In the Rheinmetall Landsysteme GmbH, a euros were posted in 2008.
Issue: March 2010
Newsline is a summary of the most
important news articles published
in “Das Profil”, the company newspaper of the Rheinmetall group
Publisher: Rheinmetall AG
P.O. Box 10 42 61
D-40033 Düsseldorf
newsline@rheinmetall.com
Responsible:
Peter Rücker
Editor-in-chief:
Rolf D. Schneider
Newsline
Armin Papperger
succeeds D. Moog
Düsseldorf. Armin Papperger, 46, has
been appointed to the Executive Board
of Rheinmetall Defence, effective 1 January 2010. He succeeds Detlef Moog,
61, who left the company to go into retirement on 31 December 2009.
Detlef Moog joined the group in 1980,
where he served as head of Rhein­
metall Waffe Munition GmbH and its
predecessor, W&M GmbH, from 1997
to 2007, and starting in 2006, as head
of Rheinmetall Landsysteme GmbH. In
1998 he was appointed to the Executive Board of Rheinmetall’s Defence
arm, where since 2006, he has had
overall responsibility for the company’s Land Systems, Weapon and Munitions, and Propellants divisions.
Moog is credited with the group’s
strategic reorientation in the 1990’s as
well as successfully positioning Rheinmetall in important markets inside and
outside of Europe.
Armin Papperger has been with
Rheinmetall since 1990, where he has
held a series of executive posts. In his
new role, he will continue to serve in a
dual capacity as head of the Weapon
3
Armin Papperger joins Executive Board
and Munitions division, which he took
over in 2007. On the Executive Board
of Rheinmetall Defence, Mr Papperger
will have special responsibility for the
Land Systems, Weapon and Munitions
and Propellants divisions.
Rheinmetall AG: Preliminary figures for 2009 – Group improved liquidity position
Defence showing high profitability
Düsseldorf. With positive earnings be- provement of E249 million was aided award of the contract for the new
fore interest and taxes (EBIT), the Rhein­ in particular by operating measures Puma infantry fighting vehicle – and
metall group exceeded its forecast for such as the strict reduction of work- thereby exceeded the previous year’s
the financial year 2009. Both company ing capital and reduced capital expen- value of E1,723 million by 83%. This
divisions achieved better operating re- diture, as well as a successful capital meant that the division’s order backsults than the most recent forecast. For increase (inflow of E102 million).
log climbed by 39% to a current level
2009, Rheinmetall Defence is reporting
At E3,420 million, provisional con- of E4,590 million.
provisional EBIT of E215 million, thus solidated sales in FY 2009 are approxiThe extensive package of measures
far outdoing the forecast of at least mately 12% below the previous year’s for cost reduction, capacity adjustE190 million. The crisis-struck Automo- figure (E3,869 million), which is exclu- ment and organizational restructuring
tive division generated a positive oper- sively due to the loss in revenues from is having a clear impact on Rheinmetating result in Q4 2009 and, in terms of Automotive. Rheinmetall Automotive all Automotive.
the whole year, operating EBIT of -E49 achieved sales of E1,522 million, reIn the fourth quarter of 2009, Automillion. Most recently, operating EBIT flecting a drop of E533 million year- motive reported sales of E410 milof better than -E80 million was fore- on-year or approximately 26%, a de- lion. The positive trend of the previous
cast for the Automotive
quarters in 2009 (E340
division. EBIT after restrucmillion in Q1, E376 milturing in the Automotive
lion in Q2 and E396 mildivision amounts to -E187
lion in Q3) has thus been
million.
continued. Alongside the
As a result of the excelgradual market recovery,
lent performance in Dethis development is the
fence and the effective
result of Automotive’s inresults of the cost reducnovative product portfolio
tion program launched in
for consumption reduction
the Automotive division at
and emission control.
the end of 2008, the oneThanks to the further
off expenses of E138 miloptimized cost structure,
Defence competence: the Puma armoured infantry fighting vehicle.
lion for restructuring meathe results situation in
sures in Automotive were successfully velopment typical for the Automotive Q4 2009 again took a distinct upward
compensated for in full. As forecast, sector. In contrast, Defence sales rose turn. With provisional operating EBIT
the Rheinmetall group achieved provi- approximately 5% in the same period, of approximately E16 million, Automosional EBIT of E15 million, even taking to a current level of E1,898 million.
tive returned to a positive quarterly reinto account these further increased
Defence raised its EBIT in the 2009 sult in Q4 2009 for the first time, after
restructuring expenses.
financial year to E215 million, against -E40 million (Q1), -E21 million (Q2)
The group also improved its liquid- E194 million the previous year. With and -E4 million (Q3) in the previous
ity position significantly. Rheinmetall an EBIT margin of 11.3%, the profitabil- quarters of 2009.
ended the financial year with positive
net liquidity of E44 million as at 31
December 2009. On the same date the
previous year, negative net liquidity of
-E205 million was reported. This im-
ity of the previous year (10.7%) was
again exceeded. With E3,153 million,
order intake in Rheinmetall’s military
technology sector in 2009 reached
a record level – largely driven by the
The increase in restructuring expenses from an initial level of E120 million
to E138 million is partly due to the fact
that another production facility overseas will be closed.
Newsline
4
KS Aluminium-Technologie GmbH and Porsche work with continuous control loop
Innovative and excellent cooperation
Neckarsulm/Stuttgart. The long-standing and highly innovative cooperation between KS Aluminium-Technologie GmbH (ATAG) in Neckarsulm and the
sports car maker Porsche (Stuttgart) can now look back on a successful start
with the new project: Following the inauguration of the new finish-machining
hall in 2007, ATAG and Porsche jointly launched a new concept in the spring of
2008 – this concept consists of a continuous control loop from casting through
to finish-machining and final inspection including dispatch, all of these operations taking place under one roof. In three-shift operations on two-levels,
­annual production rates of 120,000 engines are possible for Porsche.
Step by step, the project reflects the
implementation and optimization of
the TPM (Total Productive Management) philosophy; it constantly mirrors
ongoing innovations with regard to the
core competencies associated with the
casting and machining of engine blocks
that have made ATAG an acknowledged
system supplier
for the premium
auto sector and
others, too. One
obvious sign of
TPM is the total
cleanliness in the
modern production halls. According to Porsche,
the standard of
cleanliness and
tidiness that is immediately evident
to the visitor has
made ATAG an absolute benchmark
in this area.
Photos (3): Thomas Klink
Joachim Rogalski is
the ATAG manager responsible for this new
project and has been
in charge since the first
plans were mapped
out in 2005. Ever since
then, Porsche and the Neckarsulmbased engine block specialist have
cooperated highly effectively on the
concept of “casting and machining under one roof”. 49 year-old Rogalski recalls: “Starting with the Porsche boxer
six-cylinder engine, we have since
managed to win the related orders for
all Porsche engine blocks. This major
investment project – encompassing
the manufacture and delivery of finishmachined engine blocks that are ready
for installation – meant that ATAG had
to extend its production depth very
considerably.”
Joachim Rogalski
Project manager
Rogalski: “When
the production hall had been built in
November 2006, Grob-Werke GmbH
& Co. KG located in Mindelheim with
whom we have been cooperating as a
development partner for over ten years
now, delivered the first tools and machines. Only ten months later we started with the PV series on the assembly
line for the Porsche 9A1 boxer engine
on the ground level. The hall was officially inaugurated in May 2007 and the
second assembly line for the new generation of Porsche V-engines was taken
into operation a few months later.”
Tailored to optimized production and
material flow, the two assembly lines
are located on two separate levels in
the building: the Porsche 9A1 line for
the boxer engine covers an area of
(Continued on page 5)
Photo: Porsche SE
Newsline
KS Aluminium-Technologie GmbH and Porsche work with continuous control loop
Innovative and excellent cooperation
Photos (6): Thomas Klink
(Continued from page 4)
around 6,400 m² on the ground floor,
while another 3,500 m² are available
for the G1 line for Porsche’s V6 and V8
engines on the upper level.
Looking at the changes that have
­taken place, Rogalski observes:
“The aluminum smelting plant for
low-pressure castings that are partly
delivered in a molten condition and
stored (screwed airtight) at 800°C in
a furnace with 2.5 tons capacity, as
well as the low pressure casting facility used to be relatively far apart; the
core molding facility also used to be
accommodated in a separate building.
Today, all of these operations are part
of a continuous process chain in one
building. Automated transport systems with conveyor belts and robotic
systems transport the engine blocks
from one station to the next without
any time losses; activities like loading
onto fork-lift trucks and loading/unloading at various production stations
have all become superfluous.”
Many production processes are
subject
to
continuous
improvement (CIP)
and
work
steps have
b e c o m e
much more
transparent in recent
years. By applying a matrix, each engine block is
registered immediately after casting
and controlled throughout the production process thanks to the production
data management system.
An online production overview on
large displays and individual control
panels shows employees the ­actual
status of the engine block being
manu­factured as well as other operational data (such as total output,
trends and malfunctions). Thanks to
the completely “transparent” life cycle, stock keeping has been optimized
and capital tied up is likewise kept at
efficient levels: immediately after finish-machining, the engine blocks are
loaded onto trucks and driven to the
customer so that intermediate storage
is no longer mandatory and is limited
to the minimum amounts agreed with
the customer.
ATAG expert Rogalski sums up: “Our
cooperation with Porsche can be seen
as a perfect example of comprehensive simultaneous engineering (SE);
the complete project is accelerated
and optimized due to the parallel performance of individual development
steps. Furthermore, the close cooperation between engineering, sales,
quality assurance and controlling departments of the customer and ATAG,
and the highly disciplined teamwork
meant that we achieved our joint targets quickly and implemented the new
project very successfully. Indeed, the
level of confidence between our two
companies is
so good that
all pro­ject
members
react immediately and
without hesi­
tation – no
matter what
problem or
question
they may be
conf r onte d
with.”
Short distances, speedy decisions
– Porsche’s employees were (and are)
generally in situ at the Neckarsulm
plant within one hour – and close
teamwork have benefited the positive
cooperation, prompting Porsche’s motor specialist Holger Klumpp, technical
manager for the 9A1 engine, to make
the following comparison: “The new
production hall and its ATAG team
working there are as precise and quick
as a sports car made by Porsche.”
5
6
Photo: Porsche SE
Neckarsulm. The Failure Mode and
Effect Analysis (FMEA) served as a role
model for cooperation between ATAG
and Porsche – the new production hall
at Neckarsulm providing visible evidence of the quality of this teamwork.
Dr.-Ing. Christian Klimesch, acting as
project coordinator with the sports car
manufacturer for the last five years,
explains what FMEA really means:
“This form of analysis allows a highly
developed quality cycle that warrants
continuous improvements since failure sources are analyzed on the basis
of experience gained with previous
projects and ongoing production processes, and – if available – are practically eliminated in advance. This is
why it was important for well-balanced
expert teams from both companies to
meet beforehand. And because the
sites are only an hour apart, Porsche
specialists from the development center at Weissach were quickly on hand,
when necessary.”
Formerly, before the production hall
had been completed, meetings took
place in the Porsche facility, later the
meeting venues alternated and recently most of the meetings have been
held at Neckarsulm. The approx. 600
project meetings led to continuous
improvements in the process chain
and technology. KS Aluminium-Technologie GmbH (ATAG) in Neckarsulm
is recognized as one of the leading
companies in the field of low-pressure
die-castings; the company has expanded and optimized its know-how
and technical capabilities for the new
finish-machining activity. In terms of
supplier and buyer relationship and
responsibilities, both teams were an
ideal complement.
Project coordinator Klimesch notes:
“The short control loops in the process chain from casting through to the
preliminary and then finish-machining
steps allow immediate feedback: the
first quality feedback is given during
the preliminary inspection of the castings after just three to four hours, the
Newsline
Totally flexible because they are familiar with the rotation principle: Michael
Bergs (l) and Visim Alptekin – both are machine operators at KS Aluminium-Technologie GmbH in Neckarsulm – have been trained to work on either of the new
Porsche finish-machining lines at any time. The main benefit: greater productivity.
next one is within 13 hours after preliminary machining and the third comprehensive quality feedback is after
24 hours. In other words, compared to
former processes and applications, we
have reduced the time for a complete
feedback by about 60% - which is quite
an achievement! We react to analyses
immediately so that the continuous
this process like many others, too.
Working in close cooperation with
the Porsche team, the effects of modern gasoline direct-injection systems
(even very small particles have a disturbing effect) were identified as unacceptable for modern high-performance
engines. As a result of these findings,
it was specified that no residual imper-
High quality of teamwork
improvement process takes effect and
is ensured throughout the entire production cycle.”
The importance of new technologies
and modern automation systems can
be explained by the example of deburring: burrs are sharp edges, fraying or splinters that are created during
manufacture and have to be removed
afterwards. In the old days, this was
done manually with a brush; nowadays high-pressure rinsing facilities
are available for this purpose.
Engineer Klimesch adds: “In our cooperation with Porsche, we advanced
fections are allowable after deburring.
An appropriate high-pressure rinsing
system with the latest deburring method capable of cutting deburring residues with a water jet was thereupon
jointly selected and taken into service
in the new hall.”
As mentioned, the advanced deburring process is only one of many
examples of the successful cooperation between ATAG and Porsche. This
also explains why the Porsche team
has no doubts that never before has
there been such a smooth start to a
project.
Newsline
7
Chief Operating Officer Helmut Binder: Growth markets in the US are expected especially in connection with “green” technologies.
Stafford/Düsseldorf. The United
States have by far the biggest market
for defense technology. In 2008 alone,
the Pentagon’s budget totaled 580 billion USD, compared with a budget of
just 29,3 billion euros for the German
MoD. Access to the huge US defense
market is governed by specific constraints. Due to laws like the “Buy
American Act”, the US government is
committed to placing arms contracts
with US companies as far as this is
possible. It is therefore difficult for
foreign companies to gain a foothold
in the US arms market – as highlighted
by recent controversy around the new
tanker plane for the US Air Force. To
succeed on the American market in
spite of these restrictions, Rheinmet-
whom are university graduates, were
engaged in 2008.
The location in Virginia offers definite advantages, especially due to the
vicinity to decision-makers in military
and political circles. Washington and
the Pentagon are only about an hours
drive to the north of Stafford and the US
Navy has bases in Dahlgren and Indian
Head nearby. “Increasingly, meetings
are also held in our offices, showing
just how important it is to be located
near the customer”, says Binder.
Having focused on core activities like
production management, quality assurance, purchasing and contract management in 2008, manufacturing activities
got under way in 2009. Products developed in Germany are now manufactured
was recently uplifted to more than 150
million USD. The contract with ARM encompasses the delivery of about three
million 40mm training grenades to be
used to train the US forces.
Helmut Binder believes innovative
ammunition offers a strategic advantage for Rheinmetall Defence: “Growth
markets in the US are – in particular –
expected in connection with “green”
technologies, in other words non-toxic
training ammunition. Unlike competing
products, our grenades are non-dud
producing, i.e. they will not give rise to
bush or forest fires in the training areas. And finally, the ARM ammunition
marks the impact point; this makes it
much easier to check the success of
training sessions at day and night. All
German quality “made in the USA”: American Rheinmetall Munitions Inc.
Success on world’s biggest market
all founded its US subsidiary American
Rheinmetall Munitions Inc. four years
ago.
Helmut Binder, Chief Operating Officer of ARM, on the reasons for establishing a subsidiary in the United
States: “It is quite possible that future
legislation will impose even tighter
limitations with regard to the Buy
American Act. This is why Rheinmetall decided in 2005 to establish its US
subsidiary American Rheinmetall Munitions Inc. (ARM). The company manufactures in the US and is therefore not
affected by the existing Buy American
Act. Other reasons also speak in favor
of gaining a foothold in the USA, especially from a marketing standpoint.”
ARM was founded in Stafford, Virginia, near the important US Marine
Corps base in Quantico. The first nine
highly qualified employees, most of
at the newly opened plant in Camden,
Arkansas. The production capacity of
this facility is three million day/night
40mm training grenades although
other products can also be produced.
Depending on the volume of orders on
hand, between 35 and 40 people work
in the modern production facilities.
The high quality of production in Camden was officially confirmed in August
2009. The German Technical Control
Board TÜV Süd which is also licensed to
conduct audits in the USA has awarded
the EN ISO 9001 certificate for quality
management to the ARM facility.
Not only the Technical Control Board
but also US customers are convinced
of the quality of Rheinmetall products: the US Marine Corps has, for instance, placed a framework order for
the supply of training ammo with the
Düsseldorf-based group. This order
of this makes our product unique compared to competitor products.”
The 58 year-old defense expert is
therefore optimistic about the future:
“ARM is currently still a newcomer,
but will soon be able to secure a leading position on the market thanks
to the technological advantages of
Rheinmetall products. The US Special
Operations Command (USSOCOM) is
increasingly using our products and
the security forces of the Department
of Energy likewise utilize our ammunition. ARM will invest in further production capacities in the coming years.
These will manufacture both training
and tactical ammunition.”
Business figures underline this strategy: sales in fiscal 2009 will total approx. 20 million USD. A turnover of
around 100 million USD is expected for
the next five years.
8
Düsseldorf/Koblenz. A consortium led
by Rheinmetall Defence of Düsseldorf,
is to build a prototype version of a
fully networked system for protecting
Bundeswehr camps, semi-static bases
and similar installations. Germany’s
Federal Agency for Defence Technology
and Procurement (BWB) awarded the
project engineering contract to Rhein­
metall, Thales Defence Deutschland
and Diehl BGT Defence. The consortium plans to demonstrate the prototype’s functionality and efficiency at
the Bundeswehr’s base in Meppen,
Germany, as early as next year.
reconnaissance sensors with stateof-the-art C4I technology and highperformance effectors, including air
defence assets. Following completion
of the project engineering phase, BWB
plans to issue a request for proposal
for protection systems.
The Bundeswehr intends to deploy
the systems to protect its installations
and assets in places like Afghanistan
from terrorist and insurgent attack.
Owing to their location and layout, installations such as forward operating
bases are favourite targets of militant
groups.
Better protection for forward operating bases, airstrips, naval vessels, for-
Demonstrator for
protecting camps
eign port facilities and other stationary assets is thus a top priority. The
three partner companies have come
up with a comprehensive protection
concept that promises to provide an
excellent defence against symmetric
and asymmetric threats. The system’s
designers have adopted a networkbased approach, resulting in a highly
effective sensor-to-shooter cycle that
includes surveillance, command and
control, and fires.
Photo: Daimler AG
This sophisticated system involves
networking short- and long-range
Newsline
Hybrid technology: the Mercedes S 400 Hybrid is the first Mercedes-Benz to be equipped with a powerful lithium-ion battery.
Mercedes-Benz S 400 Hybrid benefits from Kolbenschmidt Pierburg know-how
Luxury car with hybrid technology
Neckarsulm/Stuttgart. Four years
after the market launch of the predecessor model in the fall of 2005,
Mercedes-Benz presented its fully
modernized W221 series: the new SClass 2009 including the S 400 Hybrid as one of the technological highlights. It is the first series model to be
equipped with a powerful lithium-ion
battery specially developed for the
purpose.
Based on the S 350, the MercedesBenz S 400 Hybrid has a modified drive
chain encompassing an advanced 3.5 l
V6 gasoline engine, the additional permanent magnet electric motor, the necessary electronic power and control systems, the voltage transformer and the
lithium-ion high-voltage battery.
The ultra-modern S 400 uses advanced technology from Kolbenschmidt Pierburg: alongside the electrical cooling pump, KSPG supplies
solenoid valves, intake manifolds,
plain bearings and Permaglide bearings for this luxury saloon.
The combination of V6 gasoline engine with compact hybrid module
makes the vehicle one of the most fuelefficient luxury vehicles with gasoline
engine. The fuel consumption of 7.9 liters per 100 km corresponds to a CO2
emission of 186 g per kilometer – this
is unequalled in a car of its size.
The 3.5 liter V6 engine has 205
kW/279 hp, the electrical motor develops 15 kW/20 hp and a starting torque
of 160 Nm. The combined power
therefore amounts to 220 kW/299 hp,
and the combined maximum torque
equates to 385 Nm.
The hybrid module is a disc-shaped
electrical motor that also serves as
starter and electric generator. The system serves a dual-purpose: firstly, it
helps to reduce fuel consumption and
secondly it improves driving pleasure
thanks to the “boost effect” by means
of which the electrical motor supports
the combustion engine during fuelintensive acceleration phases with a
torque of up to 160 Nm.
Additionally, the module has a comfortable eco start/stop function that
automatically switches the engine
off when the car stops – for instance,
when traffic lights are red. During deceleration and braking, the electrical
motor acts as generator, producing
electrical power for the battery.
Significant benefits over conventional nickel-metal hydride batteries
are the higher energy density and enhanced electrical efficiency combined
with compact dimensions and low net
weight. The generous interior dimensions and spacious boot are retained
thanks to the space-saving integration
in the engine compartment.
The creation of the UK subsidiary
RTP-UK Ltd. in Bristol was the first
step in the direction of international
expansion. RTP already entered into a
co-operation with partner companies
in the UK, France and Spain in 2002.
The international consortium called
TPRI (Technical Publications Relations
International) led by RTP in Bremen
was forged to reflect the Airbus development, design and technical data
organization that is spread across Germany, France, the UK and Spain.
To tap further markets, RTP plans to
strengthen its international activities.
Says RTP director Jörg Daniel: “Additional facilities in France and Spain
Rheinmetall Technical Publications GmbH in Bremen
Success on the technical
documentation market
Before an airline can take a new Airbus into service or Eurocopter can hand over
a brand new helicopter system, all the relevant maintenance, repair and servicing
instructions have to be available. Bremen-based Rheinmetall Technical Publications
GmbH (RTP) specialises in the provision of technical documentation services. The
100% subsidiary of Rheinmetall AG emerged from the (former) business unit Technical Publications/Logistics Engineering of Rheinmetall Defence Electronics GmbH in
the wake of Rheinmetall’s reorganization. “The creation of an independent company
has given us greater flexibility and efficiency to secure an even stronger position on
the market, and to generate further growth”, says managing director Jörg Daniel. The
positive development of business last year has confirmed this step to be correct:
with a total turnover of ¤ 31 million in 2008, RTP now has its eyes set on sales of
around ¤ 33 million in 2009. Business activities at the Bristol-based subsidiary RTPUK Ltd. that was founded at the beginning of 2008 are also developing positively.
Photo: Pierre Schmidt
Bremen. As a technical publications
specialist, RTP has secured a niche
market for itself: the company supplies technical information services
for the civil and military markets. In
the civil sector which makes up for
roughly 40% of sales, authors and illustrators prepare technical publications for all Airbus models including
the military transport plane A400M.
The military departments mainly provide technical manuals for the German armed forces, system companies
like Rheinmetall, helicopter manufacturers such as Eurocopter and the
German shipyard HowaldtswerkeDeutsche Werft. RTP plans to expand
its military business which makes up
for around 60% of the turnover in the
coming years. “Our competitive position in the military market is distinctly
better as our extensive know-how relates to all three services– the army,
navy and air force – and we therefore
hold a strong position in the market.
As a result, we anticipate more growth
in these areas”, notes managing director Jörg Daniel.
Military and civil customers alike are
served from the company headquarters in Bremen and its other facilities
in Hamburg, Rostock and Gera. To
meet growing demand in the helicopter business, a field office was opened
at Donauwörth in December 2008.
Managing Director Jörg Daniel: We consult our customers in all project phases.
could assist this process in the long
term. RTP is currently in discussion
with Rheinmetall Canada to explore
further opportunities for outsourcing
technical publications work in Canada.
This would help drive the internationalization of technical documentation
services.”
Given the complexity of the technical publications business – especially
for aircraft and other airborne systems
– RTP applies a strict quality management system that is supervised, audited and certified by Germanische Lloyd
Certification GmbH in accordance with
the relevant aerospace regulations. To
maintain the high standard of quality
and ensure that every single author is
familiar with the latest documentation
rules, regular training is provided for
RTP’s employees.
Managing director Jörg Daniel is convinced on-the-job-training offers an
excellent means of sustaining high
qualification levels: “We consult our
customers in all project phases. Our
employees who are either engineers
or technicians get to know the customer’s requirements and how to best
meet them.”
Newsline
10
The Combat Training Center of the German Army (GÜZ)
developed and built under the leadership of Rheinmetall Defence is one of the world’s most advanced military
training facilities. In an environment combining realistic
maneuvers and IT-based live simulations, soldiers can
train different scenarios ranging from anti-tank operations
and urban warfare to situations involving political or social unrest. Working under contract to the Simulation and
Training Systems division of Bremen-based Rheinmetall
Defence Electronics GmbH (RDE), Rheinmetall Dienstleistungszentrum Altmark GmbH (RDA) has been tasked
with the industrial operational support of the Combat
Training Center located in the Altmark Training Area to the
north of Magdeburg since September 1, 2008. The tasks
of the German forces have changed considerably since
the 1990’s. Where military policy used to be tailored to
national defence and the guarantee of mutual assistance
for NATO members, out-of-area missions have become
increasingly important in recent years. Integrated in multinational units, German soldiers participating in such
missions help to secure peace in different regions like
Kosovo, Afghanistan or the waters off the Horn of Africa.
To give soldiers the best possible training and protection,
the German Bundeswehr applies simulation-based training methods to assure maximum realism, efficiency and
cost-effectiveness. A direct fire weapons effect simulator
that simulates firing and fire effect in the target with the
aid of laser pulses is at the heart of the training system.
Combat Training Center of the German Army (GÜZ)
World’s most advanced
military training facility
Letzlingen. The 23,000 hectare large
Combat Training Center terrain has
been used by the military since the
1930’s. The area was taken over by the
German Bundeswehr after the departure of Russian troops (who had been
stationed there in the German Democratic Republic) and gradually transformed into a highly modern combat
training center.
Photo: Thomas Klink
“The biggest difference between a
normal training range and the Combat
Training Center is that we don’t use
live ammunition”, says Colonel Gerd
Josef Kropf, the commanding officer
who has been in charge of the Training Center for the last two years. The
advanced simulation technology helps
soldiers to accept their training environment and training subjects. “Twenty years ago we used to discuss what
happened during a training exercise,
today we talk about why something
happened and how we can be better
next time.” It is thanks to this immediate training success that the Combat
Training Center is highly appreciated
by the German armed forces.
The training facility is used not only
to train members of the German Army
but also personnel from the other
services and military organizations.
Preparatory training tasks, i.e. to prepare soldiers for missions in many
hot spots around the globe currently
make up for about two thirds of the 21
training sessions per year with a total
of around 240 training days. Further
training activities relate to combined
arms combat training in which different units like tanks, sappers, the ar-
tillery and air force jointly participate
in training exercises. “We are thus
able to cover many tasks ranging from
peace-keeping activities through to
traditional battlefield scenarios with
armies using the most modern equipment,” says Colonel Kropf.
The Combat Training Center is used
by German soldiers and military personnel from other countries, such as
Austrian KFOR soldiers assigned to
Kosovo, French units of the FrancoGerman brigade and members of the
EU Battle Group from Belgium and Luxembourg. Since the Training Center has
a railway link, combat vehicles can be
transported to the fitting hall directly
by train in order to be equipped with
the simulation technology and then
participate in training exercises.
Some 25,000 soldiers participate in
training programs at the GÜZ Training
Center each year. In addition to the
special simulation equipment supplied by Rheinmetall Defence, about
1,150 people support training activities. Of these, about 700 soldiers of
whom 500 are serving in the training unit which covers regular military
tasks as well as police work, members of organized crime or ethnic minorities. To allow military personnel
to concentrate fully on their training
work, all activities are conducted in
cooperation with an industrial operator under a public-private partnership
scheme.
This task was assigned to Rheinmetall Defence in September 2008. RDA
which is headquartered in the Combat
(Continued on page 11)
Newsline
x
11
Rheinmetall instrumental in assuring smooth Combat Training Center operations
Bits and bytes for realistic training
Photo: Thomas Klink
(Continued from page 10)
soldiers and more than one hundred alike to analyze combat exercises imTraining Center was created specifi- wheeled and tracked vehicles can mediately in mobile auditoriums. All
cally to provide the necessary support participate in a training session. To in- data is stored and can be reproduced
in situ in close collaboration with the tegrate such large numbers of equip- as and when necessary.
ment and personnel, the same numcommanding officer.
Close collaboration between the
Jens Heusmann, the managing direc- ber of kits has to be taken from the Bundeswehr and industrial operator
tor of RDA points out: “As part of the automatic high-rack warehouse with calls for a good understanding of miliCombat Training Center, we share re- up to 2,400 positions.
tary requirements by RDA personnel.
sponsibility for smooth training operaSuch a kit consists of a laser trans- “It is useful that many of the employtions.” The tasks – referred to as work mitter, a data radio set with GPS an- ees are ex-army personnel who can
packages by the German Bundeswehr tenna, triple prisms and detectors as use their competencies to the mutual
– of the industrial partner are defined well as a power supply unit, for sol- benefit of both parties”, remarks Heus­
in a 130 page specification and various diers this is an accumulator pack. Ve- mann. This is also true for Heusmann
annexes. These include the operation hicles are additionally equipped with himself who joined the armed forces
and support of the Training Center, the optical displays such as stroboscopic after leaving school and took up a calaser direct fire weapons effect simula- lamps, signal lights or devices for py- reer as a commissioned officer. In this
tors and the entire communication net- rotechnical effects. Additionally, tech- period he took a degree in economic
work including the computer hardware, nical devices need to be maintained and organization sciences. He was asmaintenance and repair of combat ve- during the training sessions which signed to the Combat Training Center
hicles, numerous services associated generally last about two weeks and as an instructor in 1996 while the Cenwith the issue,
ter was being set
return, servicing
up and joined the
and storage of the
industry in early
simulation equip1998.
ment and the fleet
Like Heusmann,
of vehicles.
the Simulation and
Thanks to the
Training division
Simulation and
of
Rheinmetall
Training division’s
Defence as a supwide-ranging explier of advanced
perience in consystem technology
nection with the
has been involved
development,
in the GÜZ Center
Jens Heusmann: as an integral part of the Army’s Combat Training Center in Colbconstruction and
from early on. The
itz-Letzlinger Heide we share the responsibility for smooth training operations.
initial industrial
entire
developoperating phase of GÜZ and numerous defective components have to be re- ment and construction including all the
technical extensions, it was possible placed. “The technical prerequisites extensions implemented in the meanto transfer the tasks of the former in- for battlefield simulation are met in time have all been performed under
dustrial operator to RDA during run- this way”, says Heusmann.
the leadership of Rheinmetall Defence.
ning training operations without any
The industrial operator has to do a As reported, the data processing syshitches.
lot more besides providing technical tems and audio-visual installations of
The organization of the company gear and maintaining the simulation the command and evaluation center
whose personnel is largely from the systems. Further tasks include the were renewed in the middle of last
region is tailored to the work packages provision of vehicles with drivers for year. Additionally, the communicadefined by the German Bundeswehr the training sessions. Camera teams tions network of the training facility,
and is designed to deal with future record the training event. And the en- the operations technology of the comtasks such as mission scenarios in an tire radio communication process – 35 munication and the instruction termiurban environment. Since some of the intercom radio channels and 12 digital nal were modernized and further mocommercial and administrative tasks channels (Tetra radio) are available bile video systems and vehicle target
are being conducted by Bremen-based – is documented 24 hours a day. Fur- systems were delivered.
Rheinmetall Defence Electronics, ad- thermore, RDA operates the entire IT
The southern part of the training faministrative resources at the Combat infrastructure of the Combat Training cility that has not been used so far is
Training Center are minimal. “This al- Center with hundreds of computers currently being connected to the comlowed us to get going immediately. The and servers. Heusmann points out that mand and evaluation center. The addishort transition phase served mainly military training relies on the connec- tion of a mobile MOUT training system
to transfer operation of GÜZ and not tion of data and simulation technology to train Military Operations on Urban
so much to set up a new GmbH-com- including e.g. the ability to immediate- Terrain is further proof of the fact that
pany”, says Heusmann.
ly transmit data from an exercise for the Simulation and Training division
Operation of the Combat Training multimedia debriefing sessions with of Rheinmetall Defence is well geared
Center poses quite a challenge to the troops in the evaluation center. to deal with future training scenarios
the RDA team. After all, up to 1,500 This allows instructors and soldiers in GÜZ.
12
Newsline
Major UK order goes to Rheinmetall Defence
Propellant systems for
British armed forces
Düsseldorf. Rheinmetall Nitrochemie
has been awarded exclusive responsibility for supplying the British armed
forced with propellant systems and
powder. The order is worth around
E 200 million and runs for ten years.
Rheinmetall Nitrochemie will serve as
subcontractor to Britain’s BAE Systems, which has been selected as a
key supplier of the ammunition requirements of Her Majesty’s Armed
Forces under the MASS framework
contract. This framework contract encompasses both practice and service
ammunition of all calibres and types.
(MASS stands for “Munitions Acquisition Supply Solution”.)
This long-term supply contract places Rheinmetall Nitrochemie at the
forefront of the European military propellants and powder industry. For the
British armed forces, it means significant cost savings as well as a secure
supply of consistently high-quality
ammunition.
The order is the fruit of close cooperation between Rheinmetall Nitrochemie and BAE Systems, which already
dates back eight years. Produced in
state-of-the-art facilities, Rheinmetall
Nitrochemie products meet the highest standards of quality. The armed
forces of numerous Nato nations place
their trust in the company’s products.
Mass becoming the
new Nato standard
Düsseldorf. Public Works and Government Services Canada has contracted Rheinmetall Defence to equip
the Canadian Navy’s Halifax-class
frigates with the Mass (Multi Ammunition Softkill System) naval countermeasures system. Under Canada’s
Felex frigate modernization programme, a total of 12 frigates will be
equipped with Mass as part of Project Shield. Deliveries will take place
during the 2010-2014 timeframe.
Rheinmetall Defence’s ship protection specialist based in Fronau, Germany is the prime contractor and will
conduct the work with Rheinmetall
Canada Inc.
Jointly owned by Rheinmetall AG of
Germany and RUAG of Switzerland,
the Rheinmetall Nitrochemie group
enjoys a global reputation for excellence. Special technical characteristics result in substantially improved
end-product performance, coupled
with environmental sustainability,
safety and full usability in extreme
temperature zones.
Rheinmetall Nitrochemie’s core competencies are the development and
production of propellants and propelling charges for large, medium, and
small calibre ammunition as well as
combustible components such as the
MCS modular propelling charge system for artillery applications.
With annual sales of around € 100
million, Rheinmetall Nitrochemie has
plants in Aschau, Germany and Wimmis, Switzerland; the company simultaneously serves as the Propellants
division of the Rheinmetall group’s
defence arm, whose 9,000 employees generate annual sales of € 1.8
billion.
BAE Systems is a world leader in the
defence technology and aviation sector, supplying a wide array of solutions
for ground, air and naval applications. Employing a global workforce
of 105,000, the company has annual
sales of around € 21 billion.
Since its market launch in 2002,
Mass has attracted orders from nine
nations for a total of 130 launchers for
15 different classes of naval vessels.
Around the world, this state-of-the-art
system protects patrol boats, mine
hunters, corvettes, and frigates. In
winning this important order, Rhein­
metall Defence clearly outperformed
its international competitors: The system is now well on the way to becoming the new Nato standard.
Guided missiles pose a constant
threat to naval vessels and civilian
shipping. Mass protects ships from
attacks with advanced, sensor-guided munitions on the high seas and in
coastal waters as well as from asymmetric terrorist-type threats. If the
ship is attacked, Mass fires decoy
ammunition diverting the incoming
missile from its intended target.
Düsseldorf/Minneapolis. Rheinmetall, represented by the Rhein­
metall Nitrochemie group, and
Ame­r ica’s ATK (Alliant Techsystems,
NYSE: ATK) have signed a strategic
cooperation agreement which includes the transfer of military propellant technology to the United
States. This agreement expands
Rhein­metall’s role in the important
US market, opening up new sales
opportunities in North America and
other key global export markets to
Rheinmetall Nitrochemie propellant
technologies.
The agreement entitles ATK, America’s leading ammunition maker, to
produce and market state-of-theart powder and propellant systems
for various types of ammunition in
North America to the governments
and other ammunition producers
under Rheinmetall Nitrochemie licence. ATK has already served as
Rheinmetall Nitrochemie’s exclusive
sales partner in the US since 2005,
securing a number of orders and
Gaining ground
in the US market
development contracts from the US
armed forces. In the medium term,
Rheinmetall Nitrochemie plans to
establish its own facility for powder
processing in the US in cooperation
with ATK.
Owing to their special characteristics, Rheinmetall Nitrochemie
propellants achieve a significant increase in end-product performance
coupled with improved environmental compatibility and usability
in extreme temperature zones. The
Rheinmetall Nitrochemie group is
jointly owned by Rheinmetall AG of
Germany and RUAG of Switzerland.
Rheinmetall Nitrochemie’s core
competencies include the development and production of propellants and propelling charges for
military and civil applications.
Besides charge systems and propelling powder for small, medium
and large calibre ammunition, the
company makes combustible cast
parts, e.g. for Rheinmetall’s modular propelling charge system, the
MCS. With locations in Aschau,
Germany and Wimmis, Switzerland,
Rheinmetall Nitrochemie is simultaneously the Propellants Division of
the Düsseldorf-based Rheinmetall
Defence Group, whose 9,000 employees generate annual sales of
E 1.9 billion.
Newsline
13
PROTECTING FORWARD OPERATING BASES: The European Defence Agency, EDA, has contracted with Rheinmetall
and its partners in Germany and France to create a demonstrator system for protecting military assets and installations in a
multinational context. Standing for “Future Interoperability of Camp Protection Systems”, the Franco-German FICAPS project
seeks to develop methods and means to harmonize semi-static and mobile protection systems for the combined (multi­national)
protection of co-located sections, camps and critical infrastructure. Development of a common system architecture for linking
various semi-static and/or mobile protection systems will enable better cooperation between the armed forces of different
nations, thus fostering greater interoperability. Interoperability of equipment and systems has emerged as a critical factor in
coalition operations. After all, in this era of international conflict management and intervention, a growing number of missions involve troops from more than one country. Having embarked on national programmes to develop systems for protecting military camps and semi-static bases, Germany and France agreed back in 2005 to launch a bilateral project to promote
European interoperability of these systems. Adopting a “system of systems” approach, FICAPS will draw on national assets
to implement a European protection system demonstrator featuring interoperable capabilities for defending facilities such as
forward operating bases. The programme will involve increased sharing of human and technological resources in a joint or
even combined framework. The Rheinmetall consortium has been given a three-year processing period to complete this task.
The French and German governments have assigned coordination of contractor activities to EDA in Brussels. The award of this
contract brings to a successful conclusion a three-year preparation and harmonization phase worth a total of E8 million.
PSA reduces
IED strikes
Québec/Düsseldorf. ­Rheinmetall
Canada Inc. has been awarded a
$13.6M contract for the supply of
five Persistent Surveillance Systems
on Aerostats (PSA) to the Canadian
Forces. With its long-range, 360o
surveillance capability, the PSA will
help reduce the occurrences of Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) strikes
in Afghanistan. The PSA system will
provide the ability to protect soldiers
against IEDs with the provision of persistent wide area observation, detection, identification, and monitoring
at Forward Operating Bases, Forward
Operating Positions or Strong Points
across the spectrum of deployed operations.
The PSA consists primarily of an
air vehicle platform (aerostat) and of
an electro-optical sensor operating
at an altitude of 300 metres above
ground. Each PSA also includes a
tether, a mooring system, and an operation shelter.
Rheinmetall Canada is the prime
contractor for this project and will
provide all of the project management and logistic support from its
facilities located in Saint-Jean-surRichelieu, Quebec. The support provided will include training, technical
publications, and life cycle support
activities, thus ensuring that the PSA
product will meet the specific Cana-
dian requirements. The partner is
Aeronautics Ltd. of Israel.
Rheinmetall Canada will also deliver technical solutions, namely a
real-time sensor exploitation capability with the associated software
and hardware components. This
will enable the exploitation and interoperability of the PSA with other
sensors. This software solution is a
Rheinmetall Canada existing product
which will be tailored to meet the PSA
requirements. The PSA also has great
growth potential for both military
and civilian applications in Canada.
Rheinmetall Canada is therefore contributing a Canadian content of high
value on this project and will help
sustain high technology employment
in the Canadian defence sector.
14
Newsline
Rheinmetall Defence awarded service provider contract for the German Bundeswehr
Better ISR capabilities in Afghanistan
Koblenz/Düsseldorf. Rheinmetall DeRheinmetall Defence and its partner along with Rheinmetall our operationfence and the German Federal Office of Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) will pro- ally proven UAV systems to the GerDefense Technology and Procurement vide IAI’s Heron Male (Medium Altitude man Armed Forces. Our fruitful coop(Bundesamt für Wehrtechnik und Be- Long Endurance) UAV system, including eration with Rheinmetall allows for
schaffung – BWB) signed a service full in-theatre logistical and mainte- the integration of the two companies’
provider contract to provide the Ger- nance services performed by Rheinmet- capabilities to the benefit of both of
man Bundeswehr with intelligence, all Defence. Missions of the UAV-System our customers, and presents new marsurveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) will be performed and controlled by keting opportunities of UAVs and other
capabilities through the deployment Bundeswehr personnel.
airborne systems.”
of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)
“Following the deployment of Rhein­
The Heron UAV can carry a wide
system. This bridges the gap prior to metall’s KZO tactical UAV system by the variety of sensors and information
the “Saateg (System zur Abbildenden German Army in Afghanistan earlier this systems for gathering data for intelliAufklärung in der Tiefe des Einsatzge- year, Saateg is set to make another im- gence analysis to protect the friendly
bietes)” acquisition programme. Un- portant contribution to protecting our forces during operations in theatre.
der the current
Depending on its
multimillion-euro
mission configucontract,
the
ration, the sensor
Bundeswehr will
package provided
lease the UAV systo the German
tem for one year
Armed Forces inwith an option for
cludes a day/night
a two year-extenelectro-optical
sion.
and SAR payload.
This Saateg InBy utilizing satelterim Solution prolite communicagramme will signiftions the system
icantly contribute
covers the whole
to comprehensive
area of operations
situational awareof the German
ness within the Rheinmetall Defence and its partner Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) will provide ISAF contingent.
scope of networked IAI’s Heron Male (Medium Altitude Long Endurance) UAV system, including full in- With a wingspan
command and con- theatre logistical and maintenance services performed by Rheinmetall Defence. of 16.6 meters and
trol in Northern Afa takeoff weight of
ghanistan, a region for which Germany soldiers and their allies as they carry 1,200 kg, the Heron can reach an altiis responsible, by providing wide area out their vital mission”, declares Heinz tude of 30,000 feet and can loiter for
real-time reconnaissance and surveil- Dresia, Member of the Executive Board of over 30 hours.
lance data for German ISAF (Interna- Rheinmetall Defence, adding that “Rhein­
The Canadian, Australian and French
tional Security Assistance Force) troops. metall’s responsibility for performing Armed Forces are already relying on
Compared to UAV systems currently in the complete package of service, repairs the Heron as one of their main ISR
service with the Bundeswehr, the UAV and maintenance for the Saateg system sources in Afghanistan.
system to be deployed is capable of positions us as a competent full-service
All logistical and maintenance sercovering a substantially larger foot- supplier of logistic services in the field vices for the German Heron system will
print, while its high-performance sen- of aerial reconnaissance systems.”
be performed by Rheinmetall Defence,
sors can provide reconnaissance data
Itzhak Nissan, President and CEO which will operate a 24/7 maintenance
at even severe weather conditions.
of IAI, said: “We are proud to provide and support centre in the theatre.
Rheinmetall wins
big ammo order
Düsseldorf/Koblenz. The German
Bundes­wehr has awarded a major contract for artillery ammunition to the Düsseldorf-based Rheinmetall group. Worth
around € 63 million and set to run until
2014, the order encompasses 30,000
rounds of high explosive 155mm ammunition, type DM 121. The Federal Agency
for Defence Technology and Equipment
(BWB) in Koblenz announced the order
on 20 March 2009, following approval
by the Budget & Appropriations Committee of the German Parliament.
Procurement of this new ammunition
technology bridges a significant gap for
the Bundeswehr, one of Rheinmetall’s
most important reference customers.
Thanks to special handling features, the
DM 121 offers major advantages with regard to operating safety and reliability.
Made possible by Rheinmetall’s newly
developed Rh26 insensitive explosive,
this feature places the new round on
the global cutting edge of artillery shell
technology. It also makes an important
contribution to force protection.
Owing to its 30 km-range (with maximum charge load) and ability to penetrate bunkers, this ammunition is
suitable for engaging hardened enemy
positions at a safe standoff without endangering friendly forces. With a view to
current and future operational scenarios, Rheinmetall sees significant market
potential for the new ammunition in a
number of nations whose artillery forces
deploy 155mm 39-/52 cal. artillery systems, especially users of PzH 2000 and
M109 self-propelled howitzers and Rhein­
metall’s RWG-52 wheeled howitzer.
BWB’s decision to source ammunition
followed a customer product management process with an international market review and test campaign to evaluate
competing products. Rheinmetall’s DM
121 HE round proved to be the best choice
both technically and economically.
15
Copyright: ARGE F125
Newsline
MLG 27 for the
new F125 frigates
Düsseldorf. Rheinmetall Defence
has booked an order from the German Navy for another twelve MLG 27
light naval guns. Four new F125-class
­f rigates will each be equipped with
two new MLG 27 guns. Another four
will be integrated into the German
Navy’s new combat supply ship, the
Bonn. The frigates will be delivered
starting in 2014.
By April 2012 – including earlier orders – Rheinmetall will have supplied
the German Navy with a total of 99
light naval guns for various classes of
surface combatants. Since its international market breakthrough in 2007,
three foreign governments have ordered 49 of these guns, some of which
are already entering service.
This state-of-the-art 27mm naval
weapon system provides navies with a
reliable self-defence capability in new
operational scenarios such as counterterrorism, combating piracy and
stopping smugglers.
The combination of a dynamic gun
carriage, high-precision optics and
highly advanced ammunition technology assures effective engagement of
light, agile surface targets in all sorts
of scenarios.
The MLG 27 can be installed on practically any surface combatant without penetrating the deck. The system can be remotely operated from a
command unit, and is equipped with
day/night target tracking sensors
which permit automatic tracking of
targets as well as manual control of
the system.
Major milestone: Rheinmetall Defence wins contract for high-tech infantry system
IdZ-ES now goes into preproduction
Düsseldorf/Bremen. The German
government has contracted with Rhein­
metall Defence of Düsseldorf to manufacture a preproduction version of the
company’s “Future Soldier – Expanded
System”, or IdZ-ES. The order represents
a major milestone on the path to equipping the Bundeswehr with this state-ofthe-art infantry system. A contract covering the multi-million euro order has
now been signed at the Federal Agency
for Defence Technology and Procurement (BWB) in Koblenz. Rheinmetall’s
Defence Electronic division has thus
scored a significant new success in the
process of creating IdZ-ES, the world’s
most advanced infantry system.
The “Expanded System” shares the
same origins as the basic “Future Soldier” system that preceded it, which
the Bundeswehr procured in 2005 as
a first step in meeting an urgent operational requirement. In the face of stiff
national and international competition,
Rheinmetall won the order to design the
“Expanded System” in mid 2006. The
new version is intended to eliminate
certain deficiencies identified in the
basic system, particularly with regard
to command and control capabilities
and combat effectiveness.
But IdZ-ES is more than a mere add-on
or extension of the basic system. Based
on an expanded user requirements profile and new findings resulting from extensive trials, it really represents a new
system in its own right. After supplying system demonstrators in 2008 as
agreed, knowledge gained during the
now-completed risk reduction phase
flowed into the specifications for the
preproduction system, for which the
contract has just been awarded. Based
on this preproduction system, proof of
producibility is to be presented at the
beginning of 2011, a key prerequisite for
the start of full-scale serial production
in 2012. The award of the preproduction contract thus constitutes a significant step toward equipping German
infantrymen with a groundbreaking
system that will substantially enhance
the combat effectiveness of the country’s armed forces.
An outstanding feature of the IdZ-ES
is its comprehensive approach, which
takes full account of the complex operational requirements army planners
now impose on modern soldier systems. IdZ-ES is designed to bring a 10man infantry section and its vehicle
into the command loop of networkenabled operations.
Train as you fight
Realistic battlefield conditions, a thinking “enemy” and an objective After Action
Review are the basis for training soldiers, leaders and units to win the battle. A
Combat Training Center combines weapon effects simulators with the proven high
performance information technology. The result: realistic battlefield stress, the “fog of
war” and battle outcomes that depend on skill, tactics and combined arms teamwork.
Rheinmetall Defence offers a broad range of simulation and training systems. Even
exercises lasting several days can completely be examined and analyzed with our
most modern systems and realtime computer technology.
More information at: www.rheinmetall-defence.com
Rheinmetall AG · Corporate Sector Defence · Rheinmetall Platz 1 · 40476 Düsseldorf · Germany