Rheinmetall demonstrated the capabilities of its Keiler Next Generation (NG) highly protected armoured breaching system on 14 August 2024 in a live demonstration at the Bergen military training area in northern Germany. Around 100 internationally invited guests from the armed forces, procurement authorities and industry took part in the event.
During an initial serial the Keiler NG demonstrated the rapid creation of mine lanes in the field using a Pearson mine plough, which is over four metres wide and can clear mines at a speed of up to 250 m per minute. The mine plough can be quickly replaced with a dozer blade, meaning that the Keiler NG can also clear anti-tank obstacles, fill in trenches or create emplacements and prepared positions if required.
The highlight of the demonstration was the second serial, in which the rocket-supported ‘Plofadder’ detonation cord system was used. The Plofadder system, from Rheinmetall Denel Munition, can effect a breach 160 m long and 9 m wide in minefields and obstacles in a matter of minutes. Fired in overlapping bursts, the Keiler NG’s two Plofadder systems make it possible to overcome deep enemy mine barriers.
In addition to the mine plough and Plofadder detonation cord system, the Keiler NG is also equipped with a magnetic signature duplicator that detonates second-generation mines in advance of the plough. The vehicle also has an integrated lane marking system that marks the created lanes for the following forces, even in limited visibility or at night.
The Keiler NG, which was presented to the public for the first time at the Eurosatory 2024 trade fair in Paris in June, also has an integrated crane, which it uses to establish clearing readiness and to load and unload the Plofadder ammunition boxes.
For self-protection the Keiler NG, which has a crew of two, carries the ROSY rapid obscurant system and the Rheinmetall’s Natter 12.7 mm remotely controlled weapon station. The possibility of remote-controlled deployment of the vehicle has already been taken into account as part of the system’s concept, as has the fitting of an active protection system.
The Keiler NG is derived from the Kodiak armoured engineering vehicle (AEV), which is based on the chassis of the Leopard 2 main battle tank. Although it weighs 63 tonnes, the Keiler NG has a top speed 65 km/h, can climb 90 cm obstacles, can negotiate gradients of 60% and can cross trenches more than 2.50 m wide.
Kodiak AEVs can be converted into a configuration similar to the Keiler NG using equipment kits, while Kodiak verification guides accelerate the operational readiness of the Keiler NG, Rheinmetall noted.
