01. September 2015

COBRA obtains protected Modified Carrier Vehicle

In the course of the technical certification for a new German protected carrier vehicle for the COBRA system, the OCCAR COBRA Programme Division is currently supporting the approval process of dynamic driving characteristic tests at the German Technical Center for Land Systems (WTD41) in Trier.

At present COBRA is mounted on different types of unprotected vehicles respecting the national requirements of the User Nations. Germany has now made the first step towards a COBRA system integrated in a protected Modified Carrier Vehicle (pMCV).

Two pMCVs Type ‘MAN SX45’ are undergoing testing and subsequent certification processes in German technical military facilities at Jülich, Koblenz and Trier. The first step of adapting a complete COBRA system to a protected carrier vehicle has been successfully completed and approved by the respective authorities. The second step includes the technical verification of dynamic driving characteristics and is expected to be completed by end of 2015. For COBRA, the new pMCV has been equipped with additional hydraulic devices to ensure precise horizontal positioning in order to deliver accurate reconnaissance reports into the artillery command & control system.

The two pMCV have been assigned to the Ausbildungsbereich Steilfeuer/Indirektes Feuer in Idar-Oberstein and the Ausbildungszentrum Technik Landsysteme in Eschweiler. They will also support COBRA tactical as well as technical training at the beginning of 2016 and will be on stand-by for any operational demand.

Following the introduction of the new pMCV into the German Armed Forces, COBRA will be able to face new and demanding challenges around the world and under nearly any threat level.