Image source: topwar.ru
One of the few countries that continue to operate tankettes is Germany, which has a Wiesel ("Weasel") product in service. It is equipped with an 87 hp diesel engine and can reach a maximum speed of 80 km/h with a maximum range of 550 km. In one of the modifications, this small tracked vehicle is armed with an anti-tank complex.
- they indicate in the Bundeswehr.
Until recently, the Wiesel in an anti-tank version was equipped with the Franco-German ATGM MILAN.
- explain in the military department.
Image source: topwar.ru
In January of this year, combined tests of two systems were successfully completed at one of the military training grounds. The weight of the tankette equipped with 7 ATGM MELLS (weight of each 14 kg) was 3.3 tons. The crew consists of a driver, a gunner and a commander. The combat task of the calculation is to ensure the protection of the escorted units, the fight against tanks and armored vehicles, as well as the destruction of fortified positions.
As indicated in the Bundeswehr, compared with the previous MILAN system, MELLS has a number of advantages. In total, three firing modes are possible: "shot and forgot" (shooting without correcting the flight of the rocket), "shot and watched" (the ATGM is monitored until it hits and, if necessary, the trajectory is corrected) and manual control (the missile is brought to the target by a gunner controlling the flight using optical fiber). The range is 4 km.
MELLS, like MILAN, moves along a low trajectory, but additionally has the ability to go "downhill", attacking the target from above. The new missile leaves a smaller infrared footprint [which makes it difficult to detect and intercept] and, unlike its predecessor, can be used both day and night and in conditions of limited visibility.
