Puma is a German infantry fighting vehicle designed to replace the Combat kind of previous generations, Marder IFV. Mass production of the Puma IFV (Infantry Fighting Vehicle) has been started since July 6, 2009. Project procurement of new generation combat vehicles for the Bundeswehr is handled by PSM Projekt System Management, a joint venture of Krauss-Maffei Wegmann and Rheinmetall Landsysteme.
Overall, the external appearance of the Puma is not too different compared to other IFV. Maybe that makes it different is the protective material. As an additional protection, Puma uses material AMAP-B (Advanced Modular Armor Protection-Ballistic) for protection from the onslaught of projectiles that have the ability to penetrate to the kinetic energy, AMAP-SC (Shaped Charge), protection of NBC (Nuclear, Biologist, Chemical), the system firefighters in the crew cabin and the engine compartment.
Puma has a major weapon system caliber automatic cannon 30 mm Rheinmetall MK 30-2/ABM made with a speed of 200 rounds per minute with an effective firing range of 3,000 meters. Combat is also supported HK MG4 machine gun 5.56 mm caliber capable of 850 rounds per minute with an effective firing range of 1,000 meters. And to face the main battle tank (MBT: Main Battle Tank), helicopter gunships, or the opposing defense bunker, Puma Spike LR missile system equipped with effective firing range of up to 4,000 meters.
To camouflage protection, Puma is also equipped with 6 smoke grenade launcher caliber 76 mm. Protection for personnel protection was also strengthened with the addition of the Combat floors that can withstand the blast of explosives weighing up to 10 kg.
Puma IFV equipped with a camera and periscope systems that can perform a circular control up to 360 degrees. Projection display that can be presented on the surveillance monitors supervised by the crew.
In theory, such as Puma IFV and the like are used to accompany the main battle tank (MBT: Main Battle Tank) on combat missions. But in fact most of the existing types of IFV can not afford to lag compensate MBT. To close this gap Puma IFV was produced. 800 kW engine used Puma MBT makes it able to keep pace.
Puma IFV specifications
- Weight: 31,500 kg, 43,000 kg with an additional protective layer.
- Length: 7.4 m
- Width: 3.7 m
- Height: 3.1 m
- Crew: 3 + 6
- Protective layer: AMAP (Advanced Modular Armor Protection)
- Main Armament: cannon MK30-2/ABM caliber 30 mm, capacity 400 bullets.
- Additional Armament: HK MG4 machine gun 5.56 mm caliber bullets capacity of 2,000, anti-tank missiles sistekm Spike LR, 6 tubes 76 mm caliber grenade launcher
- Engine: MTU V10 892 diesel 800 kW (1,100 hp)
- Ratio of Power Machinery and Vehicle Weight: 25.4 kW / ton
- Suspension: hydropneumatic
- Reach distance: 600 km
- Maximum speed: 70 km / h