View source for Wiesel AWC

{{refimprove|date=March 2013}}
{{Infobox weapon
| name               = Wiesel 1
| image              = LLWaTrg Wiesel 1.JPG
| image_size         = 300
| caption            = A Wiesel 1
| origin             = [[West Germany]]
| type               = [[Tankette]]
| manufacturer       = [[Rheinmetall|Rheinmetall Landsysteme GmbH]]
| production_date    = 1979–1993
| is_vehicle         = yes
| number             = 343
| spec_label         = 
| length             = {{convert|3.55|m|ftin}}<!-- Wiesel 2: {{convert|4.78|m}} -->
| width              = {{convert|1.82|m|ftin}}<!-- Wiesel 2: {{convert|1.87|m}} -->
| height             = {{convert|1.82|m|ftin}}<!-- Wiesel 2: {{convert|2.17|m}} -->
| weight             = 2.75 [[metric ton|t]] to 4.78 t
| suspension         = [[torsion bar]]
| speed              = {{convert|70|km/h}}
| vehicle_range      = {{convert|200|km}}
| engine             = [[Audi]] 2.1 L [[Straight-5|5-cylinder in-line]] [[Turbocharger|turbo]]-[[Diesel engine|diesel]] <!-- Wiesel 2: 1.9 L [[Volkswagen]] [[Straight-4]] turbo-diesel with [[Fuel injection#Direct injection|direct-injection]] -->
| engine_power       = {{convert|64|kW}}<!-- Wiesel 2: {{convert|81|kW}} -->
| pw_ratio           = 
| crew               = Driver, gunner/commander or driver, gunner and commander depending on variant.
}}

The '''Wiesel Armoured Weapons Carrier''' (AWC;{{cn|reason=this is not a German abbreviation|date=June 2024}} {{langx|de|Waffenträger}}<!--dewiki uses the word "gepanzert" but mostly just "Waffenträger"-->) is a German light air-transportable [[armoured fighting vehicle]], more specifically a lightly armoured weapons carrier, produced by [[Rheinmetall]].

The Wiesel has been used in several of the [[Bundeswehr]]'s missions abroad ([[UNOSOM II]], [[IFOR]], [[SFOR]], [[Kosovo Force|KFOR]], [[Task Force Harvest|TFH]], [[International Security Assistance Force|ISAF]]).

==History==
The Wiesel was developed for the West German army to meet a requirement for an air-transportable light armored vehicle for use by its [[airborne forces|airborne troops]], as the infantry of the West German [[Bundeswehr]], especially airborne infantry, were considered unprepared to successfully fight enemy [[main battle tank]]s (MBT) in the 1970s. The requirements were that the vehicle should fit in common [[NATO]] transport planes and could eventually be air-dropped. It should be able to fight infantry as well as enemy tanks or aircraft. [[Porsche]] produced some prototypes of the future fighting vehicle for the Bundeswehr in 1975, but the Bundeswehr stopped the project in 1978 due to lack of funds. Nevertheless, Porsche continued development, because of interest from other countries.

The Bundeswehr eventually ordered 343 of the vehicles in 1985.<ref name="Tank">{{cite web |date=15 July 2014 |title=Wiesel AWC |url=http://www.tanks-encyclopedia.com/coldwar/West_Germany/Wiesel_AWC.php |access-date=7 June 2015 |publisher=Tanks Encyclopedia}}</ref> The ''Wiesel'' was introduced as a new weapon system for the Bundeswehr with deliveries beginning in the late 1980s. The vehicle was named ''Wiesel'' ("[[weasel]]") because of its small size and agility, which make it very difficult to detect on the battlefield. Production of the Wiesel 1 ended in 1993. Of 343 Wiesel 1 vehicles, 210 were armed with Raytheon [[BGM-71 TOW|TOW]] [[Wire-guided missile|wire-guided]] [[anti-tank guided missile]] system and 133 have the one-man KUKA turret E6-II-A1 armed with the dual-feed [[Rheinmetall Mk 20 RH-202]] 20&nbsp;mm [[autocannon]]. Germany deployed both types to [[Somalia]] in 1993 as part of the [[United Nations]] forces intervention in the [[Somali Civil War]] ([[United Nations Operation in Somalia II|UNISOM II]]).

The Wiesel 2 is an enlarged and extended version of the Wiesel 1 with five road wheels instead of four, and a more powerful engine.  The Bundeswehr ordered 178 of the new vehicle in various types, including air defense, radar, and anti-aircraft missile launcher, 120&nbsp;mm mortar carrier, command and fire control, and ambulance variants.<ref name="Tank"/> The Wiesel 2 entered service in 2001.

The Wiesel 1 MELLS and MK variants were used by German troops of Luftlandebrigade 1 in April 2023 to secure an airfield near Khartoum in support of the [[Operation Raus aus Khartum|German governments evacuation of German citizens]] from Sudan during the [[Sudanese civil war (2023–present)|Sudanese Civil War]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-04-24 |title=MilEvakOp im Sudan – Bundeswehr veröffentlicht Details zum Einsatzverband |url=https://soldat-und-technik.de/2023/04/streitkraefte/34634/milevakop-im-sudan-bundeswehr-veroeffentlicht-details-zum-einsatzverband/ |access-date=2024-10-20 |website=soldat-und-technik.de |language=de-DE}}</ref>

==Configuration==
[[File:Wiesel 1 MK20 (1991) Bundeswehr Military History Museum, Dresden.jpg|thumb|upright=1.5|Wiesel 1 MK20 (1991) Bundeswehr Military History Museum, Dresden. The vehicle next to it is the [[Panzerhaubitze 2000]].]]
Depending on the exact configuration, the Wiesel 1's length is about {{convert|3.55|m|ft}}, height {{convert|1.82|m|ft}}, and width {{convert|1.82|m|ft}}. At only {{convert|2.75|MT|ST}}, it weighs less than the armored variant of the U.S. [[Humvee]] military light truck. The engine is a 64&nbsp;kW (86&nbsp;hp) [[Audi]] 2.1-litre [[diesel engine]] giving a top speed of 70&nbsp;km/h (45&nbsp;mph). The Wiesel can ford {{convert|0.5|m|ft}} deep water and cross a {{convert|1.2|m|ft}} wide trench. It was manufactured by [[Rheinmetall AG]].

The [[chassis]] is made of [[steel]] [[vehicle armour|armour]] and can resist common [[5.56mm caliber|5.56 mm]] and [[7.62 mm caliber|7.62 mm]] [[small arms]] ammunition and shell splinters. Air dropping the vehicle from a plane with parachutes was tested, but was not successful; four test-vehicles were destroyed. Nevertheless, the Wiesel can easily be flown in by transport helicopters, a single [[CH-53 Sea Stallion]] helicopter can fly in two at once, and common transport planes can carry four or more Wiesel vehicles.

The larger Wiesel 2 has almost twice as much internal volume as its predecessor, and is about {{convert|4.78|m|ft}} long, {{convert|2.17|m|ft}} high (depending on type), and {{convert|1.87|m|ft}} wide.<ref name="Tank"/> Its weight is approximately {{convert|4.78|MT|ST|abbr=}} in its heaviest configuration.

==Wiesel 1==
===Variants in service===
* Wiesel 1 Aufklärung: reconnaissance
* Wiesel 1 ATM TOW: anti-tank vehicle fitted with [[TOW missile]]s
** Wiesel 1 TOW: Updated with [[Battlefield management system|BMS]]
** Wiesel 1 MELLS: TOW replaced by [[Spike (missile)|Spike]]
* Wiesel 1 MK20: fire support version with a [[Rheinmetall MK 20 Rh202]] 20mm [[autocannon]]
** Wiesel 1 MK20 Variant 1: updated with new sight
** Wiesel 1 MK20 Variant 2: updated with BMS
* Remotely controlled Wiesel 1 equipped with ground-scanning radar as part of the ''Route Clearance System''

===Prototypes and studies===
* Wiesel 1 ATM TOW Resupply: cargo carrier fitted with racks for TOW missiles
* Wiesel 1 BTM-208: fitted with a SAMM [[BTM-208 turret]] armed with .50-cal (12.7mm) [[M2 Browning machine gun|M2HB]] and 7.62mm [[Rheinmetall MG 3]] machine guns
* Wiesel 1 ATM HOT: anti-tank vehicle fitted with [[Euromissile HOT|HOT missiles]]
* Wiesel 1 ATM HOT Variant 1: fitted with UTM-800 turret
* Wiesel 1 Radar: fitted with RATAC-S multi-purpose radar
* Wiesel 1 MK25: 25&nbsp;mm armed version

==Wiesel 2==
{{Infobox weapon
| name               = Wiesel 2
| image              = File:Ozelot.jpg
| image_size         = 300
| caption            = Wiesel Ozelot Light Air Defence System ({{lang|de|leichtes Flugabwehrsystem}} – LeFlaSys) Weapon Carrier
| origin             = Germany
| manufacturer       = [[Rheinmetall|Rheinmetall Landsysteme GmbH]]
| type               = [[Tankette]]
| is_vehicle         = yes
| number             = 178
| spec_label         = 
| length             = {{convert|4.78|m|ftin}}
| width              = {{convert|1.87|m}}
| height             = {{convert|2.17|m}}
| weight             = 2.75 [[metric ton|t]] to 4.78 t
| suspension         = [[torsion bar]]
| speed              = {{convert|70|km/h}}
| vehicle_range      = {{convert|200|km}}
| engine             = [[Volkswagen]] 1.9 L [[Straight-4]] turbo-diesel
| engine_power       = {{convert|81|kW}}
| pw_ratio           = 
| crew               = 2 or 3
}}

The Wiesel 2 is a stretched version of the Wiesel 1, with a fifth roadwheel. The engine was changed to a 1.9L [[Volkswagen]] in-line four-cylinder turbo diesel with direct injection and intercooler, giving {{cvt|109|hp|kW}} coupled to a [[ZF Friedrichshafen AG|ZF]] automatic transmission. The Wiesel 2 is generally bigger, faster and stronger than the Wiesel 1, with advanced features for the protection of the crew such as enhanced armour, an air conditioning system, and [[CBRN defense#Etymology |NBC protection]].

=== Variants ===
* Wiesel 2 Light Air Defence System ({{lang|de|leichtes Flugabwehrsystem}} – LeFlaSys)<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.luftwaffe.de/portal/a/luftwaffe/start/waff/flug/ozelot/!ut/p/z1/hU67DoIwFP0WB9beK4ivDRMHTBONmAhdTIFaNJWSUqmfb42TicaznWcOMMiBtXy4SG4vuuXK84JNT6s5PdBwEYZ0O0NM9-l6nE026AHHfwHmbfyBBCGrBRR-Y_Z7I4YMGLArH_iDdNpYJSzh1eshFA1vayV2ukrewgaYVLp8X0_aMppLYEachRGG3I2XG2u7fhlggM45IrWWShCjA_zWaHRvIf8IQnfLHUaxGmgyegJc2CIM/dz/d5/L2dBISEvZ0FBIS9nQSEh/#Z7_B8LTL2922LO700IRIE1S4J0005|title = Luftwaffe| date=8 May 2024 }}</ref>
** Wiesel 2 Air Defence Command Post
** Wiesel 2 Air Defence Reconnaissance and Fire Control Vehicle (RFCV): fitted with an air defence radar
** Wiesel 2 Air Defence Weapon Carrier ({{lang|de|Ozelot}}): fitted with air defence missile launchers (two box launchers containing four ready-to-fire [[FIM-92 Stinger]]s, or, alternatively, a (currently unknown) number of vertical launch cells with [[LFK NG]] missiles)
* Wiesel 2 Ambulance
* Wiesel 2 Engineering Scout: combat engineer reconnaissance
* Wiesel 2 Command Post: battalion command post
* Wiesel 2 Advanced Mortar System
** Wiesel 2 Company C2/ JFSCT: Command and control for combined and joint fire
** Wiesel 2 Lightweight Armoured Mortar: 120&nbsp;mm automatic laying weapon system
** Wiesel 2 Joint Fire Support Team: Reconnaissance Vehicle

===Prototypes and studies===
* Wiesel 2 APC: 2 crew + 4 passengers armoured personnel carrier
* Wiesel 2 Argus: reconnaissance
* Wiesel 2 Carrier: ammunition resupply
* Wiesel 2 Primus: reconnaissance and fire control
* Wiesel 2 ATM HOT: anti-tank vehicle fitted with [[HOT (missile)|HOT missiles]]
* Wiesel 2 [[SYRANO]]: Robotic system for the French Army
* Wiesel 2 RMK 30: prototypes have been fitted with a [[Rheinmetall RMK30]] recoilless autocannon

==Gallery==
<gallery>
File:Panzermuseum Munster 2010 1007 (1).JPG|Wiesel 1 prototype
File:Wiesel 1 TOW.jpg|Wiesel 1 TOW
File:W2 argus.tif|Wiesel 2 ''Argus'' scout vehicle
File:W2 santrp.PNG|Wiesel 2 ambulance
File:W2 bewbefst.PNG|Wiesel 2 command post variant
File:W2 lepzmrs.jpg|Wiesel 2 lightweight armoured mortar of the advanced mortar system
File:Wiesel2 radar.jpg|Wiesel 2 Light Air Defence System Reconnaissance and Fire Control Vehicle (RFCV)
File:Ozelot2.jpg|Ozelot air defence weapon carrier with camouflage in firing position
File:Silhouette w1 vs w2.PNG|The silhouette of the Wiesel 1 (red) overlaid on that of the Wiesel 2 (blue)
</gallery>

==Operators==
* {{flag|Germany}}: Ordered 343 Wiesel 1s and 179 Wiesel 2s (148 delivered)

==See also==
* [[Alvis Stormer]]
==Notes==
{{reflist|30em}}

== References ==
* {{cite book |last= Trewhitt |first= Philip |title= Armored Fighting Vehicles |year= 1999 |page= 102 |publisher= Amber Books |location= New York |isbn = 0-7607-1260-3}}
{{Refbegin}}
* Zwilling, Ralph. ''Waffentraeger Wiesel 1''. 2009, Tankograd Publishing.
{{Refend}}
{{Refbegin}}
* Zwilling, Ralph. ''Waffentraeger Wiesel 2''. 2009, Tankograd Publishing.
{{Refend}}

==External links==
{{commons category|Wiesel AWC}}
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20120318010454/http://www.rheinmetall-defence.com/index.php?lang=3 Rheinmetall Defence Wiesel 1 Product Page]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20070311202357/http://www.rheinmetall-defence.com/index.php?fid=1401&lang=3&pdb=1 Rheinmetall Defence Wiesel 2 Product Page]

{{Rheinmetall}}
{{ModernGermanAFVsNav|style=wide}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2017}}

[[Category:Armoured fighting vehicles of Germany]]
[[Category:Reconnaissance vehicles]]
[[Category:Airborne fighting vehicles]]
[[Category:Rheinmetall]]
[[Category:Military vehicles introduced in the 1970s]]