Rheinmetall’s Keiler Next Generation (NG), the highly protected armoured breaching system, demonstrated its capabilities in a live demonstration. Around 100 internationally invited guests from the armed forces, procurement authorities and industry took part in the event on 14 August 2024 at the Bergen military training area. In a first section, the Keiler NG demonstrated the rapid creation of mine lanes in the field. The Pearson mine plough was used for this. The mine plough is over four metres wide and can clear mines at a speed of up to 250 metres per minute. The mine plough can be quickly replaced with a dozer blade. This means that the Keiler NG can also clear anti-tank obstacles, fill in trenches or create emplacements and prepared positions if required.
The highlight was the second section, in which the rocket-supported ‘Plofadder’ detonation cord system was used. Plofadder from Rheinmetall Denel Munition can cut a breach 160 metres long and nine metres wide in mine fields 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 well before the plough. Furthermore, its integrated lane marking system 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, 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 carries the ROSY rapid obscurant system and the Remotely Controlled Weapon Station Natter 12.7. The crew of the Keiler NG consists of two soldiers. The possibility of remote-controlled deployment is already taken into account in the system’s concept, as is the fitting of an active protection system and interfacing on the digitalised battlefield.
The Keiler NG is based on the chassis of the Kodiak armoured engineer vehicle and thus belongs to the Leopard 2 family. On the one hand, this contributes to the high agility of this 63 ton platform: Top speed 65 km/h, climbing capability 90 centimetres, gradeability 60 percent, trench crossing capability more than 2.50 metres. On the other hand, being part of the Leoben family has a positive effect on interoperability, logistics and training. Existing Kodiak Army engineer tanks can be converted into a configuration similar to the Keiler NG using equipment kits, while existing Kodiak verification guides accelerate the operational readiness of the Keiler NG.
