The Artillery Observer was the first vehicle in the FENNEK family to prove its performance capabilities in deployment. This system has been used on the ISAF mission with the Bundeswehr in Afghanistan since 2004. Its key feature is the enhanced-performance navigation system, which enables extremely accurate target localisation in elevation and windage – even when dismounted. The target information and target assignment are forwarded to the artillery’s fire support officer (FSO) by the ADLER II artillery control system. Hit spotting and any corrections needed are carried out by the FENNEK’s ADLER II weapon and fire control system. The Artillery Observer is also equipped with a map-based positioning module for off-road orientation and position display.
Performance characteristics of the FENNEK FAO
3-man crew consisting of commander, radio operator/observer and driver
Self-sufficient for up to 5 days on missions
Can be fitted for various weapon stations
H-drivetrain enables short construction and low centre of gravity
Enhanced navigation performance and target acquisition
Facts about the FENNEK FAO
The FENNEK owes its outstanding performance capability to an ideal combination of reconnaissance capabilities, mobility, manoeuvrability and camouflage. The three-man crew – driver, commander and radio operator/observer – can operate self-sufficiently for five days. Equipment, operating supplies, drinking water and food are carried in the vehicle. Air-transportable in the C-130, the FENNEK can even be transported to remote deployment zones quickly and easily. With a total weight of up to 12 t, the FENNEK can easily handle inclinations of over 60% and slopes of over 35%. It has a turn circle of 13 m, and fording capability of 1 m in water.
Thanks to an automatic central tyre inflation system, the vehicle can adjust perfectly to the ground conditions at hand. Its high-performance power pack is complemented by its engageable all-wheel drive, fully automatic manual transmission and distributor gearbox. The H-drivetrain enables its short construction and low centre of gravity, which guarantee high mobility on tough terrain. The use of cutting-edge engine technology gives the FENNEK a range of nearly 1,000 km.
- Exceptionally accurate target localisation in azimuth and in elevation
- Outstanding reconnaissance capabilities
- High mobility on tough terrain
- State-of-the-art sensor system
- Air-transportable in C-130/160
- High-performance power pack with engageable all-wheel drive
Optimally meets the requirements for recon missions behind enemy lines
The armed forces of Germany, the Netherlands and Qatar rely on the target localisation precision and mobility of the FENNEK FAO.
- Product specifications
- Performance features
- Downloads
| Length | 5.58 m |
| Width | 2.55 m |
| Height (vehicle roof) | 1.79 m |
| Weight | 12 t |
| Engine performance | 177 kW |
| Speed | > 100 km/h |
| Range | 1,000 km |
| Armaments | 40mm automatic grenade launcher, 7.62 x 51 or 50 cal. machine gun |
| Crew | 3 persons |
| Protection | Ballistic, mine, IED |
Observation and reconnaissance equipment (ORE) ensures high-level reconnaissance capabilities. Thermal imager, CCD daylight camera and laser range finder are integrated in a sensor head extendable up to a height of 3.30 m. A vertically and laterally adjustable pan & tilt head allows the sensor head to be used in dismounted operation on a tripod up to 40 m away from the vehicle and operated via control cable from inside the vehicle. ORE allows detection and identification of targets at great ranges by day and by night.
Observation and reconnaissance are supported by a hybrid navigation system, which determines the vehicle’s own position and the direction north with great accuracy using both GPS (global positioning system) and inertial navigation system (INS). The laser range finder and ORE control unit are used to determine the site coordinates of detected objects, which are then processed by the system control unit before being automatically transmitted to a digital tactical map. With the German troops, this is done by way of the weapon and fire control system (FüWES), while universal interfaces enable trouble-free use of alternative, country-specific hard and software.
The FENNEK FAO in operation
The FENNEK FAO shows its strengths on tough terrain.
The FENNEK FAO in pictures
Image material of the FENNEK FAO from exercises and missions in various situations
Related products to the FENNEK FAO
You will find many other products from KNDS Deutschland GmbH & Co. KG to accompany this one, which are associated with the product illustrated.
